Ultra-violet rays are electromagnetic waves. Rays with wavelengths ranging between 3,900 and 1,849 A.

are used for treatment purpose. Sources of UV-rays 1. Sunlight 2. Mercury vapour lamp 3. Fluorescent tubes Where useful? Individuals with General weakness Vitamin-D deficiency Weight Loss Psoriasis (Skin disease) Alopecia (Hair fall) Where it should not be used? Sensitive skin Dermatitis (Skin disease) High fever Tuberculosis of lungs Cancer Advantages Formation of Vitamin-D proved resistance to infection General tonic effect Disadvantages Conjunctivitis (Eye infection) Reddening of skin Electric shock Burns UV rays should not be used in combination with certain other treatment

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Ultraviolet Light Therapy (Phototherapy)

Helps improve blood circulation in the affected area. Stimulates production of collagen required for repairing damaged tissues. Activates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Helps eliminate continuous inflammation, itch and can trigger faster tissue repair. Helps treat many types of skin problems and aids in reduction of scar tissue.

Ultraviolet light therapy is also known as phototherapy. It is a kind of therapy that involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light for a prescribed duration of time. Phototherapy can also involve the use of other forms of light such as lasers and fluorescent lamps. The use of ultraviolet light therapy has proven to be very useful for treating various kinds of skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, spongitis dermatitis, acne and other skin conditions. Ultraviolet A (UVA), Ultraviolet B (UVB), Photochemotherapy (PUVA) are the spectra of ultraviolet light that is used for phototherapy.

Phototherapy can be applied directly on the skin by the therapist. It may also involve making use of medications or chemical agents that can be applied on the skin to increase the effect of the applied of UV light that is used for treatment.

ultraviolet (UV) therapy

Etymology: L, ultra, beyond; OFr, violette + Gk, therapeia, treatment the therapeutic application to the body of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. This therapy is useful in the control of infectious airborne bacteria and viruses and in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions.

ultraviolet [ultrah-vio-let]
denoting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength shorter than that of the violet end of the spectrum, having wavelengths of 4400 nanometers. ultraviolet A (UVA) ultraviolet RADIATION with wavelengths between 320 and 400 nm, comprising over 99 per cent of such radiation that reaches the surface of the earth. Ultraviolet A enhances the harmful effects of ultraviolet B radiation and is also responsible for some PHOTOSENSITIVITY reactions; it is used therapeutically in the treatment of a variety of skin disorders. ultraviolet B (UVB) ultraviolet RADIATION with wavelengths between 290 and 320 nm, comprising less than 1 per cent of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the earth's surface. Ultraviolet B causes sunburn and a number of damaging PHOTOCHEMICAL changes within cells, including damage to DNA, leading to premature aging of the skin, premalignant and malignant changes, and a variety of PHOTOSENSITIVITY reactions; it is also used therapeutically for treatment of skin disorders. ultraviolet C (UVC) ultraviolet RADIATION with wavelengths between 200 and 290 nm; all of this type of radiation is filtered out by the ozone layer so that none reaches the earth's surface. Ultraviolet C is germicidal and is also used in ultraviolet PHOTOTHERAPY. ultraviolet rays electromagnetic radiation beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum; they are not visible to humans. They are produced by the sun but are absorbed to a large extent by particles of dust and smoke in the earth's atmosphere. They are also produced by the so-called sun lamps. They can produce sunburn and affect skin pigmentation, causing tanning. When they strike the skin surface they transform provitamin D, secreted by the glands of the skin, into vitamin D, which is then absorbed into the body. Because ultraviolet rays are capable of killing bacteria and other microorganisms, they are sometimes used to sterilize objects in specially designed cabinets, or to sterilize the air in operating rooms and other areas where destruction of bacteria is necessary. ultraviolet therapy the employment of ultraviolet RADIATION in the treatment of diseases, particularly those affecting the skin. See also PUVA THERAPY and PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY. Among the diseases that respond to this form of therapy are ACNE VULGARIS, PSORIASIS, and external ULCERS. DOSAGE. The dosage unit of ultraviolet radiation is expressed as minimal erythema DOSE (MED). Because of varying degrees of skin thickness and pigmentation, human skin varies widely in its sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. The MED refers to the amount of radiation that will produce, within a few hours, minimal ERYTHEMA (redness caused by engorgement of capillaries) in the average Caucasian skin. Dosage for individual patients is prescribed according to probable sensitivity as determined by that individual's skin type as compared to average sensitivity. DEGREES OF ERYTHEMA. Minimal erythema is a first degree erythema and usually is produced after about 15 seconds of exposure to a high-pressure mercury arc in a quartz burner placed at a distance of 75 cm (30 in) from the skin. A second degree erythema results from a dose of about 2.5 MED; its effects become apparent about 4 to 6 hours after application and are followed by slight peeling of the skin. A third degree erythema is produced by about 5 MED; it may become apparent within 2 hours after

application and is accompanied by edema followed by marked desquamation. A fourth degree erythema is produced by about 10 MED and is characterized by blistering. PRECAUTIONS. Ultraviolet therapy is safe only in the hands of a skilled and knowledgeable therapist. Areas of thin skin that may be burned more readily than that receiving treatment must be protected by wet towels or dressings. The eye is highly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation; therefore some form of protection, such as goggles, compresses, or cotton balls, should be provided for both the patient and the therapist to avoid damage to the conjunctiva and cornea.

Certain drugs, such as the sulfonamides, greatly increase sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. All patients scheduled for this form of therapy should be questioned in regard to the medication they are taking so the dosage can be adjusted accordingly or the treatment deferred.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

ultraviolet
denoting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength shorter than that of the violet end of the spectrum, having wavelengths of 4-400 nanometers.

ultraviolet antisepsis because ultraviolet rays are capable of killing bacteria and other microorganisms, they are sometimes utilized in specially designed cabinets to sterilize objects, and may also be used to sterilize the air in operating rooms and other areas where destruction of bacteria is necessary. ultraviolet irradiation the projection of ultraviolet light from a generator is used for the treatment of skin disease and for sterilization of materials. ultraviolet rays electromagnetic radiation beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum (at 0.39 to 0.18 m wavelength) and therefore not visible to humans. They are produced by the sun but are absorbed to a large extent by particles of dust and smoke in the earth's atmosphere. They are also produced by the so-called sun lamps. Ultraviolet rays can produce sun-burning and affect skin pigmentation. When they strike the skin surface, these rays transform provitamin D, secreted by the glands of the skin, into vitamin D, which is then absorbed into the body. ultraviolet therapy the employment of ultraviolet radiation in the treatment of various diseases, particularly those affecting the skin, is used in humans, but not commonly employed in veterinary medicine.

PUVA Treatment PUVA stands for Psoralen and Ultraviolet light A. Psoralens are chemicals found in various plants and have been used for hundreds of years for the treatment of skin conditions. In PUVA therapy the psoralen is given as a tablet, or as a lotion which is painted onto the skin, and after a period of time the skin becomes more sensitive to ultraviolet light. The tablets are usually taken two hours prior to treatment and during this time of sensitivity you will have to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the enhanced light and for about six hours after treatment. This is necessary in winter and summer, but is obviously not needed during hours of darkness, especially driving in the dark. When the tablets or lotion have had a chance to work the skin is exposed to UVA light. For the hands and feet there are smaller machines that enable a smaller area to be treated effectively. The psoralen and the UVA react together to help your skin get better. You may get some redness after treatment. The therapist will carefully monitor this and will adjust the dose accordingly. Treatment is usually two or three times a week for approximately six weeks but this car vary according to your condition. For either treatment progress is carefully monitored by your Dermatologist and Therapists report back to them regularly.

Ultra-violet Rays. Although natural heliotherapy was practised in the earliest times by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, this method of treatment fell into disuse in the Middle Ages

and was not revived until the middle of the last Century. It was not, however, until I893 that the artificial production of ultra-violet rays was employed in the treatment of disease, when Finsen of Copenhagen used the carbon arc lamp in the treatment of lupus. Later the invention of the mercury vapour lamp led to a rapid development in this method of treatment. The main artificial sources of ultra-violet rays are:I. The carbon arc lamp. 2. The tungsten arc lamp. 3. Mercury vapour lamps (a) air cooled; (b) water cooled. The most active ultra-violet rays are from 2,I00-3,900 Angstrom units. The shorter waves have very little power of penetrating the skin, all rays less than 3,000 A.U. being absorbed by i mm. of skin. Power of penetration increases with the wave-length up to ,oo000 A.U. (short infra-red rays) after which, in the infrared region penetration diminishes with increasing wave-length. Ultra-violet rays June, 1937 DISEASES OF THE SKIN 211shorter than 3,200 A.U., especially from 2,500-2,970, produce erythema of the skin after a latent period of a few hours. This erythema is classified as:Ist degree. A transient erythema. 2nd degree. Slight erythema with powdery desquamation. 3rd degree. Marked erythema with considerable peeling. 4th degree. Severe bullous reaction followed by desquamation. The erythema reaches its maximum intensity in 8-24 hours after which it subsides. Repeated exposure to ultra-violet rays produces pigmentation of the skin. Rays shorter than 3,020 A.U. lead to the synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin. The rays from 2,100-2,900 have a marked germicidal effect but can only penetrate o.I mm.

of skin. The exposure to ultra-violet rays increases the calcium, phosphorus, iron and. iodine in the blood and increases the resistance of the body to infection. In the treatment of skin diseases, ultra-violet light is used for its general effects in cases of chronic infection e.g. furunculosis, tuberculosis of skin and glands, acne, and infected wounds to raise the body resistance to the infecting organisms. For this purpose general light baths are given either with the carbon-arc or the air-cooled mercury vapour lamp. Excellent results are obtained from general carbon arc baths in cases of tuberculous adenitis, the treatment being, either given alone or in combination with surgical methods. If, however, the glands have broken down with the formation of a sinus and resulting scrofulodermia, local treatment should be given in addition to the general light baths. For this purpose I usually use either the tungsten arc lamp, or the Kromayer lamp with a suitable quartz applicator. 2nd-3rd-degree erythema doses of ultra-violet light are used for their peeling effects in the treatment of psoriasis and acne. I think, however, that the latter disease is usually better treated by means of X-rays. In extensive psoriasis it is an extremely good method of treatment for it can be repeated without any fear of subsequent skin injury. As I have already said, the frequent recurrences of this disease prevent one from treating it with X-rays in most cases, as there would be a risk of over-dosage. The rays are also used locally in order to produce repeated erythema and tissue stimulation in cases of alopecia areata, a 3rd-degree erythema being produced at each treatment; for this purpose either the tungsten arc or the mercury vapour (air or water cooled) lamp is used. I have found that the best method of treatment in cases of chilblains is the production of a 2nd-degree erythema locally by

means of the Kromayer lamp or the air-cooled mercury vapour lamp. I also find it an advantage to give general light baths at the same time. In other diseases ultra-violet light is used in order to destroy diseased tissue. In lupus vulgaris good results are obtained by giving 4th-degree erythema doses with the Finsen-Lomholt or Kromayer lamp, the dosage being repeated when the previous reaction has subsided. General carbon arc baths should be given simultaneously. In port-wine naevus I have obtained very satisfactory results by giving repeated 4th-degree erythema doses with the Kromayer lamp. This condition responds badly to other forms of treatment and its successful treatment by light is a great therapeutic advance. 212 POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL JOURNAL June, 1937Heliotherapy is of course contra-indicated in diseases associated with light sensitisation such as lupus erythematosus; it should also be avoided in acute inflammatory diseases of the skin.

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