What You Need to Know About Phototherapy for Eczema
What You Need to Know About Phototherapy for Eczema Eczema that doesn’t respond well to topical treatments or that covers a widespread area of your body may benefit from a process called phototherapy. Learn more about how this treatment works for eczema, as well as the potential risks and side effects. What is phototherapy for eczema? Phototherapy is an FDA-approved treatment option that uses ultraviolet (UV) light. Phototherapy is unlike an indoor tanning bed or being outdoors in direct sunlight. Your healthcare professional uses a controlled number of wavelengths for short amounts of time. Also called “light therapy,” phototherapy is used to decrease your body’s inflammatory responses that lead to eczema rashes. Within several weeks, phototherapy may reduce trademark symptoms of eczema such as: redness or discoloration itchiness swelling (inflammation) For the treatment of eczema, phototherapy typically involves the use of UVB rays. Sometimes UVA rays may be used too, though this isn...