Sun beds.

lostinrates

It has been suggested to my DH, who has psoriasis, that very occasional use of a sun bed might help, particularly since he works long office hours. How would he find somewhere reputable? How much would this cost (in the City or Walthamstow).

Thank you, this is a long way out of either of our experience!

Fruity1

My bf uses one for the same condition and has for several years since he was advised to. It does help.

Savvy_Sue

He could also try upping his Vitamin D intake.

Or ask about light treatment on the NHS, which will be very carefully monitored.

jammy26

I have regular courses of light treatment at my nhs hospital, just like using a sunbed but special tubes that work quicker, this won't cost him anything all he needs is a referral from his GP and as it is closely monitored the side effects are less. In my experience commercial sunbeds didn't really do much for my psoriasis but the nhs ones work wonders

lostinrates

jammy26 wrote: »

I have regular courses of light treatment at my nhs hospital, just like using a sunbed but special tubes that work quicker, this won't cost him anything all he needs is a referral from his GP and as it is closely monitored the side effects are less. In my experience commercial sunbeds didn't really do much for my psoriasis but the nhs ones work wonders

we looked into this before. The problem is that he was told (fairly, we're not complaining) it would have to be three times a week at set times. Sadly DH cannot commit to this, his job simply in't fleible enough and he travels through the week.

lilacclaire

It really shouldn't cost more than a fiver.
Make sure he goes on for the minimum time though, its really easy to get burnt on them if your not used to them.
I used one last year for the first time in years. I was on 6 minutes and looked like a lobster!

RachelW1987

its £2.50 for 5mins on the stand sunbed's that I use

I go on the flat beds and they are £2.50 for 12mins but I would advise 5mins on the stands. The girls in the sunbed shops will advise you though, if its a good sunbed shop x

pjk_3

I believe that the medical / NHS beds use tubes that produce mostly UVB light - this is the light that is needed to produce vitamin D in the skin and vitamin D is related to many health issues including psoriasis. However regular sunbeds produce mostly UVA light with a little UVB. As Savvy_Sue pointed out, vitamin D status is worth looking into - there's a long thread about it here called "Vitamin D 25(OH)D TEST BARGAIN"

catwoman150

I would try light treatment at the local hospital as they go from secs to minutes and he will be watched. There is two types that he could have depending on how much and where it is. This treatment does work sometimes, but does not cure it. It all depends on what his doctors say about it as there s other treatments as well.

lostinrates

catwoman150 wrote: »

I would try light treatment at the local hospital as they go from secs to minutes and he will be watched. There is two types that he could have depending on how much and where it is. This treatment does work sometimes, but does not cure it. It all depends on what his doctors say about it as there s other treatments as well.

If he were able to attend the light treatments at the hospital he would as first choice, sadly he just can't commit to that due to the nature of his work. That's the only reason he's looking for an alternative.

catwoman150

lostinrates wrote: »

If he were able to attend the light treatments at the hospital he would as first choice, sadly he just can't commit to that due to the nature of his work. That's the only reason he's looking for an alternative.

Why doesn't he ask about medication then, the treetment at the hosiptal last about 10-13 weeks. There is injections and tablets that he can try. Some of which he may have to stay out of the sun with.
The sunbeds at the hospital are stronger and have only one type of ray where as the sunbeds have another type of ray. I cant remember it its the uva or uvb rays.