Proactive Methods For Treating Nummular Dermatitis

Phototherapy

Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, is an eczema treatment that uses ultraviolet light. The treatment can help reduce itching and swelling, calm inflammation, and help the body fight skin bacteria more effectively. Light therapy treatments for nummular eczema most commonly use narrowband ultraviolet B light. Patients are considered suitable candidates for this therapy if they have patches of nummular eczema over large areas of their body or if they have smaller areas that haven't responded to topical treatments. More than seventy percent of patients notice an improvement in their eczema after using light therapy. To use the therapy, patients undress completely (except for their underwear). They then apply oil to their skin, put on special goggles for eye protection, and stand in a cabinet with lights. The light-emitting machine is turned on for only a few seconds to a few minutes, and patients step out of the cabinet. The intensity of the light is increased with each treatment session. In the beginning, sessions are very frequent, tapering to once or twice a week towards the end of the treatment. Patients often require one or two months of intensive treatment to begin to see an improvement in eczema with this type of therapy. For some patients, multiple cycles of light therapy are needed, and other patients may need just initial intensive treatment and regular maintenance sessions. Possible side effects of light therapy include melanoma, sunburn, aging of the skin, and potential cataracts if protective eyewear is not properly worn.