Sunlight improves psoriasis—true or false?
From July/August 2007 Psoriasis skINSIGHTS
It's true that ultraviolet light B (UVB) rays found in sunlight effectively clear psoriasis in a large percentage of patients, says Bruce Strober, M.D., Ph.D., of the New York School of Medicine's Department of Dermatology. And summer humidity can keep skin from drying out.
But too much sun exposure not only increases risk of skin cancer, it can make psoriasis worse. Different people have different levels of tolerance to sunlight, so check with your doctor before beginning exposure to natural sunlight to find out how much sun is right for you. These tips may help:
- Try short sessions of sun exposure. Start with 20 minutes or less two or three times a week, to see how your skin responds.
- Use of sunscreen should be discussed with your dermatologist. While sunscreen offers protection from UV light, it also blocks the beneficial impact of sunlight on psoriasis. Your doctor can help determine the type and amount of sunscreen to use based on your psoriasis.
- Know which treatments may increase your sun sensitivity. If you are already being treated with phototherapy, you may need to reduce your natural sun exposure. Treatments such as Soriatane might increase your sensitivity to the sunlight. Also, some topicals for dermatologic problems and oral medications given for other conditions can increase your sun sensitivity. Tell your doctor what medications you are using and that you are using natural sunlight as a treatment for your psoriasis.
Know the signs of skin cancer
The American Cancer Society advises you to check your skin for warning signs and tell your doctor if you have any of
the following symptoms:
- Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
- Scaliness, oozing, bleeding or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
- The spread of pigmentation beyond its border, such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
For more information about skin cancer prevention and early detection, go to www.cancer.org.
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