Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune disease that affects the skin and joints. It commonly causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes on a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the extensor aspect of the joint.
The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Factors that may aggravate psoriasis include stress, withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. There are many treatments available, but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.
A diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. There are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures for psoriasis. Sometimes a skin biopsy, or scraping, may be needed to rule out other disorders and to confirm the diagnosis. Skin from a biopsy will show clubbed Rete pegs if positive for psoriasis. Another sign of psoriasis is that when the plaques are scraped, one can see pinpoint bleeding from the skin below (Auspitz’s sign).
Psoriasis treatments aim to:
- Stop the skin cells from growing so quickly, which reduces inflammation and plaque formation
- Remove scales and smooth the skin, which is particularly true of topical treatments that you apply to your skin
We offer a combination of light therapy and excimer laser for the most effective treatment.
Psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases usually respond very well to light therapy. Our specialist benefits from more than twenty years of experience in the treatment of psoriasis. The treatment is perceived by patients as very pleasant. Within 12 to 14 days, the psoriasis of the patients is reduced by more than 50 percent, or, even better, they experience temporary healing.
The treatment includes:
- Bathing with light stimulating natural products
- Perfectly matched UV radiation to the affected area with modern radiation equipment
- Pinpoint irradiation with excimer lasers, even on the scalp
- Cooperation with our internists and nutritionists in case of presence of a metabolic syndrome
- Elimination of triggering factors
Excimer Laser
We provide the newest technology equipment available. Heart of this is the newest generation of excimer lasers. It is an ingenious technique, since it is currently the world’s only light device with which UVB light can be applied targeted to the diseased skin in the wavelength with 308 nm. Our specialist is the pionier in Europe with this technique. He has successfully treated over 5000 patients so far. The new version of this laser is a co production made in Germany, developed with the world known brand Heraeus and the laser company “German medical engeniring GME“. With this device you can reach spot on radiation of the skin in a controlled milli-second spectrum.
If the dose is too high, there is a sunburn with blisters. If the dose is too low, the skin adapts to the light, is lightly browned, and it does not come to the desired destruction of inflammatory cells. Thus, it is not the possession of an excimer laser which is decisive, but the possession of the necessary experience.
Medisun light cabin
In this cabin, it is firstly possible to apply UVB 311 nm light to the entire skin.
This is very nice especially for psoriasis or eczema in combination with salt baths. The salt used comes original from the Dead Sea. The UVB dose is increased according to the skin type of the patient daily, the initial doses in just 30 seconds. The UVA-tubes used in this cabin can be found otherwise only in large UVA1 cabins. Thus, this device is a complete innovation. The tubes have a limited UVA spectrum in the wavelength range 340-420 nm, thus not using the short-wave UVA light. Since the UVA light is attributed to a part of aging, it is particularly important not to use the UVA-light which is close to the UVB range. This is deactivated with these tubes completely. The special feature of the long-wave UVA light is effective in the antipruritic (anti-itch). Thus, this cabin can be efficiently used for PUVA therapy (photochemotherapy, psoriasis), which has its maximum effect at 365 nm, but also for any disease with itching and eczema, as these UVA1 tubes have been developed specifically for these skin diseases at the university Dermatology Dusseldorf.
For psoriasis treatments 15 sessions of bathing and subsequent UVA irradiation are required in combination with the excimer laser to achieve healing.