26/06/2022
*HELIOTHERAPY*
Heliotherapy is the use of natural sunlight for therapeutic purposes. It is a highly effective treatment modality for psoriasis and other skin disorders. Vitamin D, produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight, boosts immunity and fights infections.
This therapy is administered in various ways. In Direct Sun Bath the body is exposed to the sun for 1 or 2 hours after sunrise or before sunset. During Indirect Sun Bath, the body is covered with white cotton cloth, and the head and eyes are covered with a wet pack.For Banana Leaf Sun Bath, the body is covered with banana leaves and then exposed to sunlight. Localised Sun Baths are used to provide sun exposure to specific parts of the body. The entire body, except the desired area for exposure, is covered with a wet cloth. In colour bath, based on the therapeutic requirements, the body is exposed to the various constituent colours in sunlight.
=} HELIOTHERAPY is the use of natural sunlight for the treatment of certain skin conditions. It is a form of phototherapy. It is also called climate therapy.
*HOW DOES HELIOTHERAPY WORK?*
The ultraviolet (UV) part of the sunlight spectrum has beneficial effects in small doses.
Short wavelength UVB and longer wavelength UVA induce vitamin D production and other chemicals that protect skin cells.
The UV radiation is anti-inflammatory, immune suppressing, and antiproliferative.
WHAT SKIN CONDITION RESPONSE TO HELIOTHERAPY ?
Inflammatory skin conditions treated with heliotherapy are similar to those treated with other forms of phototherapy.
Psoriasis
Heliotherapy has been found to reduce the extent and severity of psoriasis and to improve the quality of life for patients. It rarely completely clears psoriasis, and in 10%, sun exposure aggravates psoriasis.
Atopic dermatitis/eczema
After 2–4 weeks of heliotherapy, there may be an improvement in atopic dermatitis/eczema immediately after treatment and several months afterwards. Note that sunlight can also result in photoaggravated eczema.
Other skin conditions
Other skin conditions such as vitiligo have also traditionally been treated with sunlight. Heliotherapy may be combined with topical or oral trisoralen (see PUVA), which enhances the effect of sunlight alone, but also increases the risk of sunburn and may cause side effects such as pigmentation.
BENEFITS of heliotherapy
Heliotherapy is available everywhere, although it is weather and climate-dependent.
Heliotherapy is affordable, especially in countries where phototherapy is inaccessible
Disadvantages of heliotherapy
Disadvantages of heliotherapy include:
SIDE EFFECTS: sunburn, the risk of photosensitivity reaction, long-term skin ageing and skin cancer
Variable dose: the amount of UV in sunlight is dependent on latitude, ozone amounts, seasonal variation, time of day, cloud cover, rain, and the aerosol content of the air.
Variable exposure time for an individual: this is dependent on their Fitzpatrick skin phototype, prior exposure to UV radiation, the presence or absence of photosensitivity, and the condition being treated.
GENERAL POINTS:
Avoid excessive sun exposure. Heliotherapy is not suitable for very fair skinned or photosensitive individuals. Note that the sun is a class 1 carcinogen.
Undertake exposures at the same time/s of day, each day.
Continue prescribed treatment (check with your dermatologist).
Continue regular emollient use.
