Health Post - UV treatment?.

[Richard (OldStager)]

As some on here will be aware I suffer with skin issues and have done since I was a child. As I get older the worse it seems to get, so last month I went to see a specialist, one of the treatments he suggested was this UV treatment, which I know little about.

 

Has ayone any experience on this and would this be adviseable for someone who appers to be UV intolerant .

 

I have just had a booking for a session next week , but don't want to attend if there is a risk of just causing another flare up.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

You should speak to a consultant dermatologist Richard. You mention 'specialist', a term that can cover a multitude of sins. You and I are old enough to be wary of vested interest in advice, so I assume there's none here, but as you know to your cost skin problems can be very debilitating and UV is a double edged sword. Whatever you do end up undergoing, I hope it helps. A young woman of my acquaintance had a eczema patch on her very fair skin, and as she burned in the sun easily she was surprised to find that the patch vanished after a holiday to sunny climes. 

My skin used to be as tough as old boots and I could get as grubby as a sweep's elbow working on my car secure in the knowledge that the tub of Ajax scouring powder would get it all off leaving my hands soft as a baby's armpit. Nowadays, in Biblical extra time as I now am, I have to be choosy with brands of liquid soap for hand cleaning for fear of skin damage. As when I was a yoof, latex rubber has been my saviour in dodgy situations - except I now use it for gloves! 

[Richard (OldStager)]

Ah thanks for that, well it actually was a dermatologist, but it was the day of this visit that highlighted my intolerance to sun, because that day my hands were so bad I had to order up a taxi instead, with the meeting over and  due to covid rules I had to stand outside whilst waiting for the taxi to take me home ( which took 30 mins to get to me). That evening my face and all exposed skin went as red as a postbox and set off another flare up which is just clearing up now ( takes a good month from start to finish of one).

 

So during the actual visit the UV from the sun was never mentioned as at that time I hadn't made a connection between that and flare ups. So the guy was never made aware of it, which is the point of my first post because this info has only just come to light ( pun excused).

 

I have week to have a darn good read up on it as he claimed it really helps folks very well, just like the young woman you mention.

 

I am being so careful with things now, special hair shampoo, soap, gloves on when washing up , even had to change the way I do stuff to the car as trying to avoid chemicals of any type. Just put a shed load of factor 50 on now, as got to go into town later and its not that sunny here, yet it affects me.

[Blatman]

1 hour ago, Richard (OldStager) said:

So during the actual visit the UV from the sun was never mentioned as at that time I hadn't made a connection between that and flare ups. So the guy was never made aware of it, which is the point of my first post because this info has only just come to light ( pun excused).

 

At the risk of stating the obvious... have you contacted him/his secretary/team/whatever, to update him on your thoughts on this?

UV, as I understand it can be filtered so maybe the treatment may not be the full UV part of the light spectrum, but a portion of it. Again, a question for the consultant. I'm really not sure I'd be asking this lot for medical advice  

[Richard (OldStager)]

Hi

Thanks for posting, well it wasn't advise but rather has anyone had this treatment. I did this morning when the appointment was made,  say to the lady is this safe for folks who appear to be UV intolerant , she said oh are you, well we will use a lower setting then - that just raised my suspitions a bit which is why I posted.

[stephenh]

I haven't had this treatment, but was told by a consultant dermatologist that UV can help control some types of eczema, so rather like you.

For what it's worth, I don't use soap or shower gels, or liquid soaps. 

But like Blatman says, asking for medical advice on this boardroom is a recipe for disaster!

I'd rely on the consultant's advice. Quite apart from his experience and training he is insured against liability for the consequences of negligent advice, unlike most of the members who post regularly on here! 

[Richard (OldStager)]

Very true, that wasn't my intent to be fair, just if anyone had , had it and did it work. I suppose it depends on which part of the spectrum they use,  I know without factor 50 on me even on a slightly sunny day sets me off, I will have a good read these next few nights and see what the NHS site says and others like it ( not reading trash sites - don't worry. 👍