The three diseases that we see UVB NB prescribed for most often are Eczema, Psoriasis and Vitiligo. People being treated with UVB NB for Eczema and Psoriasis typically see results very quickly while those with Vitiligo have a tougher row to hoe. With Vitiligo, we typically see re-pigmentation begin after forty to sixty treatments, remember with treatments usually ocurring three times a week we’re looking at 12 to 20 weeks before re-pigmentation begins. It usually begins with freckling in the white areas and then over time the freckles expand to cover the area. Treatment will most likely continue for a year or more to fill in all/most areas that will re-pigment.
Folks with Psoriasis and Eczema usually respond quickkly to treatment and begin to see results with in the first week or so and treatments then continue for a month or two with most people clearing within a few months.
Here’s a page at National Psoriasis Foundation on UVB Phototherapy
Excerpt from page “Several studies indicate that narrow-band UVB clears psoriasis faster and produces longer remissions than broad-band UVB. Narrow-band UVB may be effective with fewer treatments per week than broad-band UVB. Narrow-band UVB is also emerging as an alternative to PUVA, the light-sensitizing medication psoralen plus exposure to ultraviolet light A. Although not as effective as PUVA, narrow-band UVB is easier for people to undergo and may be safer over the long term. The use of narrow-band UVB may increase as doctors and patients learn more about its effectiveness and safety…” See http://www.psoriasis.org/treatment/psoriasis/phototherapy/uvb.php
With Eczema and Psoriasis, what do you do when clearing has happened?
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Wait for a re-occurence and start treatments again or
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Perform a weekly maintenance dose at perhaps 75% of the last treatment time.
In either case, check with your dermatologist or medical professional. As a reminder, please read our disclaimer.
I suffered from severe psoriasis for more than 20 years and is also a physical therpaist helping my clients to face psoriasis. The best treatment I had was UVB NB. The fastest treatment last 16 sessions and the mean was around 30 sessions with three times a week. I use 70% of MED for the first dose, and 20% increment each up to maximum dose 4.5J or I cannot tolerate. I hate taking Psoralen as it made me dizzy. To me, UVA is not effective as UVB NB and also UVA keeps me standing for much longer duration. I don’t like maintenance treatment much as I want to reserve some buffet for the skin to “Take Rest”. While during time of remission, I will try to keep my skin healthy by doing more exercise so as to have more sweating. I have gone through many researches and found that the skin integrity is being affected when in acute psoriasis exacerbation whereas our sweating system is affected making us more prone to heat stroke.
Many thanks for the comment Neville,
The choice of maintenance which is typically 75% of the time of your final treatment once a week vs waiting for the next breakout is a difficult decision especially if you have to drive to a clinic to have the treatment. Folks with home units often choose maintenance over waiting for the next break-out.
PUVA can be a real challenge for many people and UVB NB is much easier, less costly and the patient. Here’s a posting I did on PUVA vs UVB NB some time ago. See http://www.uvbnarrowband.com/index.php/2009/04/puva-vs-uvb-narrowband/
Thanks again!
Chris