There is no shortage of sunlight in our country. But because of this harsh sun, sometimes our skin, especially in areas that are frequently exposed to the sun like the face, neck, and hands, can develop rough, peeling spots. Has that happened to you too? If you sometimes feel a little scared about these, today we are talking about a special treatment for it. This is a very wonderful, modern treatment method.
What exactly is this treatment and medicine?
Simply put, this is a special treatment. It's called photodynamic therapy . What you do here is apply a special gel to those problem spots on your skin, and then shine a special light on it.
The gel we're talking about today contains something called Aminolevulinic Acid . This helps heal rough, scaly patches of skin (medically known as `Actinic Keratosis`) that develop due to prolonged exposure to the sun. Since these patches sometimes have a small chance of developing into skin cancer in the future, it's important to treat them early.
When this gel is applied, it is absorbed only into those abnormal, problematic skin cells . Healthy cells are not affected much. Then, when a special red light is shone on those areas, the chemical in the gel is activated and destroys those abnormal cells. Isn't it amazing?
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Okay, now this treatment is not the same for everyone. Your doctor will ask you some questions before giving you this. It is very important for your safety to answer them accurately. In particular, these questions should be asked:
- If you have a bleeding disorder (for example, a condition in which the blood does not clot easily).
- If you have previously had a skin reaction to UV radiation .
- If you have a rare condition called porphyria .
- If you are allergic to this medicine, soybeans , a chemical called porphyrins , other medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
- If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother .
By telling the doctor this information without hiding anything, you will be able to receive this treatment safely.
How is this treatment done?
This is not something you can do at home. It is done in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of a doctor. There are two very simple steps.
1. Step 1: First, the doctor or a trained nurse will apply this gel to the areas of your skin where the spots are.
2. Step 2: Then you have to wait for about 3 hours. During that time, the gel will be well absorbed by the problematic cells. After 3 hours, a special red light is applied to the areas where the gel was applied for about 10 minutes. This light helps to destroy those cells.
This treatment is usually done once, and can be repeated after 3 months if necessary. This is decided by your doctor.
Since this treatment is given in a hospital setting, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, if you suspect that such a thing has happened, immediately notify the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital or the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the hospital where you are receiving treatment.
Interactions with other medications
If you are taking medication for other conditions, it is important to tell your doctor about it as well. Some medications may interact with this treatment. This means that side effects may increase or the effectiveness of the treatment may change. See the table below.
| Drug type / category | Important information |
|---|---|
| Some diuretics | For example: chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide. These can make the skin sensitive to light. |
| Some medications for diabetes | For example: glipizide, glyburide. |
| Some antibiotics | For example: sulfamethoxazole, tetracyclines. |
| Phenothiazines | Medications for mental illness. For example: chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine. |
| Herbs and vitamins | St. John's wort, vitamin A and related creams, vitamin E. |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, and herbal product you take.
Things to keep in mind during treatment
This is the most important thing. After this treatment , your skin will be very sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, you should completely avoid direct sunlight for at least a few days, until your doctor tells you to.
Just think, treated skin is like a baby's skin. You have to take care of it.
- If you're going out, take an umbrella.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing that covers your skin well.
- Be sure to use a good sunscreen recommended by your doctor.
- Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds at all.
What are the possible side effects?
As with any treatment, there may be minor side effects. Some of them should be reported to your doctor immediately. Some of them are normal. Let's see what they are.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Symptoms to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Excessive changes in treated skin | Severe inflammation, excessive itching, crusting, or excessive peeling of the skin. |
| Confusion | A sudden state of mental confusion. |
| 🙂 Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Mild fever and chills | Feeling cold in the body (Chills). |
| Headache | A common headache. |
| Minor skin changes | Slight redness, dryness, or slight inflammation at the treated area. |
| Sensitivity to light | Skin sensitivity even to normal light. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Aminolevulinic Acid gel and light therapy is a specific treatment for problematic skin spots caused by sunlight.
- This treatment is only done in a hospital or clinic. It cannot be done at home.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and medications you are taking before treatment.
- The most important thing after treatment is to protect yourself from the sun. Follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
- If you experience a serious side effect, such as severe allergic symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න