Scared to have uv treatment.

[-Alex-]

Hi. My name is Alex and i am 13 years old. I have had psoriasis the whole of my life and have had countless outbrakes. I have been using Exorex lotion the past 2 years but it seems to do little work but eventhough my dermatologist recommends i have UV treatment because my psoriasis is quite bad, i seem to be scared of having it. I don't know the reason for this but if anyone knows any other treatments,lotions etc. will work can they please tell me?
I will also be grateful if someone who has had UV treatment can tell me what it's like so i won't be afraid.
Thankyou.

Alex.

[Tangles (Donna)]

Hi Alex welcome to PHO


I havent had UVB treatment yet


But Im sure someone will answer your questions

goodluck

 

[NitroNick]

Hey Alex!

I have had a few blasts of UVB in my life and its quite straight forward. The worst possible side effect is a "burn" Basicly a bit like being sunburned but all over. Trouble is with UVB is that just at the point you start to burn is where the treatment works the best so it is a very fine line.
 
On the positive note it often gives you a bit of a tan!

Off to work right now so cant give you too much info but I am sure that others on here will. Dont forget there is an under 16 section on here where other youngsters discuss Psoriasis.

Take care, I remember what it was like as a youngster with Psoriasis.


Nick

[loudboy]

Hey dude,

ive had a few courses of uvb, and i have to say i quite look forward to them.  i suppose it depends on how fair skinned you are as to whether youll burn, but generally the derm nurses will keep a good eye on you and stop that from happening, but like Nick said in the previous post, where you burn is where the p clears best!  the tan you get is always welcome, of course, which hopefully would improve ones mood( it always does mine ) so just go for it, of all the treatments ive tried, its the one that works the best for me personally, and its the most natural.  i hope it works for you too.

[Nicknackwack]

Hey Alex and welcome to PHO from me

Over the years I've had UV treatment and it's not as bad as you think. I agree with NitroNick. The only risk with the treatment is that it is possible to get a bit sunburnt but I must say that the benefits definitely outway the risks.

Because you are a youngster you'll find that the nurses will take extra special care of you and will be very careful to make sure you don't get burnt and they will monitor your treatment very carefully indeed.

Yup you'll get a good suntan and hopefully if the treatment works you'll be p free quite quickly and hopefully your p will be put into remission for quite a long time (up to a year if your lucky).

The only inconvenience otherwise is having to go to the hospital a couple of times a week to get the treatment ! But that's nothing compared struggling with your p on a daily basis.

Give it a go ~ you might just be a little surprised  

The other Nick  

[david_8]

hi, Alex &welcome

ive had light treatments from a early age 10  ! i think
dont think i had any say in it, my parents gave the ok my first was grenz ray the uva etc etc

? why not ask your derm for a tour of the treatment rooms/clinic
and any  patient information leaflets

most now a days are stand in cubicles/shower cabinets, you wear eye protection
and cover ya privates,  depending on what type you have ie uva/uvb/ etc
nb/uvb you can build up to 10mins all depending on how severe and skin types

? have you got tolarant to your exorex !  ask your derm about rotation/pulse

not 1 treatment works for all its a game of try and see even for  light treatment

a regime of 3 poly tar soaks a day and capasol shampoo helped me in my early yrs

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[briven]

Hello Alex
         
             I've had UVB treatment and can tell you there's nothing to be afraid of. You will be asked to step into a box (like a telephone box)and the nurse will press the button and treatment begins. There's a small risk of burning as you might on a sunny beach. However your skin is checked throughout the treatment and any burn is very slight, I had a little burning but hardly noticed it. Treatment starts from say 10 or so seconds up to minutes. so time to get used to it. I started at 11 seconds and 22 treatments later my session had increased to 10 minutes. My psoriasis went from  moderately extensive coverage to almost nothing in 22 sessions. A year later my p had returned but not to the extent that it was before treatment. We're all different of course but if your dermatologist recommends it then go for it, I'm glad I had the treatment. It really is easy to do, and there's nothing to fear, you will be well looked after so there's nothing to worry about.
                                                                                            Enjoy your tan 

                                                         

[TrishR]

Hi Alex and welcome to PHO 

There really isn't anything to be scared of with UVB treatment. The others have pretty much covered how it goes and what to expect.   I hope yo decide to at least give it a go.

The treatment time is so short, especially at the beginning you will wonder what you were worried about.  Like Nick said because you are young they will take extra special care with you I'm sure. The itch that you can get is the worse part.

David's idea of a trip round the department is a great idea.

Good luck with it, do come back and let us know what you decide xxx

[taffy]

   Hi Alex,

 I was a bit nervous when I had my treatment and I was 51 when i had mine , but once I had met the nurses who would be looking after me I felt much better about it .      I then went on to have 38sessions , and the tan was great , everyone kept asking me where I'd been for my holidays   

There really is nothing to worry about , and if you have any questions , do not be afraid to ask the nurse or the doctor , they are there to help you       



 ................ and yes I agree with David , a tour of the department is a great idea , and maybe someone who is already having UV will be prepared to talk to you as well .

 Good luck , I hope it , I hope you have a nice tan for Christmas

 taffy

[penelope12]

Hi Alex - I have had P since I was 7 years old.  I am now 49 and have had all the messy treatments going - I have been in hospital twice for 6 weeks at a time.  I am having UVB at the moment - so far I have had 8 sessions of 44 seconds and the improvement in my skin is absolutely amazing - I wish I could have had this treatment when I was a teenager !!

My nurse has advised that you should have no more than 150 - 200 treatments in a lifetime - I was 90% covered when I started treatment and they reckon it will take 20 to clear me completely.  Don't be afraid to ask questions - the staff where I go are really helpful and gave me samples of different moisturisers, shampoos etc.

Good Luck.  Let us know how you get on