Phototherapy

The Phototherapy Unit in Glamorgan House

What is Phototherapy?

The light that comes from the sun is made up of lots of different forms of radiation. The full range of light is known as the solar spectrum and included in the spectrum is ultraviolet (UV). Ultraviolet is divided into three types UVA, UVB and UVC. The harmful short wavelength UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach the Earth’s surface. The ultraviolet that does reach us is mainly long wavelength UVA and intermediate wavelength UVB. Natural sunlight has been known to improve a wide variety of skin disorders and it is the ultraviolet part produced by the sun used in phototherapy. It is a treatment, not a cure for the majority of skin diseases.

Phototherapy treatment will either be UVB treatment (which is the most common) or UVA in combination with a photosensitising medication called psoralens (Psoralens and UVA = PUVA).

UVB treatment is straightforward. The patient will be required to expose their skin in a specially designed cabinet which contains fluorescent light tubes inside. Treatment times are typically seconds to minutes. PUVA involves taking a photosensitising medication (psoralens) either by mouth or bath/soaks prior to treatment in either a cabin or a hand and foot machine.

Phototherpy Units & Opening Times

There are two phototherapy units within Cardiff and Vale UHB. One is at University Hospital of Wales (Glamorgan House) and the other is in University Hospital Llandough (Main Outpatients).

The phototherapy unit at UHW is open five days a week from 7.30am-5.15pm. The unit at Llandough is open twice weekly from 8am-4pm. Patients will be required to attend regularly for approximately 8-10 weeks, although some skin conditions may require longer courses.

Patients will need to attend regularly in order for treatment to be successful. Demand for this treatment is high therefore if patients do not attend regularly their treatment will be terminated.

The phototherapy unit at UHW is run by five phototherapists:

Beverly Gambles
Rachel Davies
Jane Price
Wendy Owen
Serena O’Brien

Before treatment is commenced patients may be required to undertake a light test, the light test is painless but it will measure level of UV sensitivity.

Side effects of treatment can include;

• Redness/discomfort (sunburn)
• Dry and itchy skin
• Cold sores
• Premature skin ageing
• Risk of skin cancer (Amount of sun exposure and previous treatment courses are taking into consideration)

For any other queries/questions please call 02921 842298