Narrow band UVB phototherapy
What is it?
It is a phototherapy treatment with mercury vapor or quartz lamps capable of emitting in the ultraviolet B (UVB) range. The NB-UVB emission allows to block the keratinocyte cellular kinetics and to normalize the erythematous activities. The method is called narrow band UVB phototherapy 311 nm and involves the use of different light emitters depending on the size of the lesion to be treated.
When is this procedure indicated?
The procedure is particularly recommended when the extension of the dermatitis is particularly noticeable, and erythema and itching are significant.
How is it performed?
Unlike PUVA therapy, no prior use of photosensitizing medications or eye protection measures or use of photoprotective creams is required. Exposure typically lasts 15 minutes per session.
The phototherapy process consists of simply exposing the affected part of the dermatitis to a special lamp. Depending on the extent of the lesion to be treated, total body booths, front-to-back panels, hand-to-back units or fiber optics are used for small areas.
The sessions last a few minutes and vary in number and frequency depending on the phototype (more or less clear skin with greater or lesser tendency to burn when exposed to the sun) of the chronicity and the specific disease to be treated, although in general we can consider sufficient treatments including 1-3 sessions per week for a total of 15-30 per cycle, repeatable - if necessary - 2 or 3 times a year.
Where do we treat it?
Our Departments
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