Red light as an alternative treatment for psoriasis and dermatitis

Treatment for eczema and psoriasis is lacking today

Eczema refers to a variety of skin-related conditions, while psoriasis is actually a different and complex autoimmune disease. However, they are often grouped together because both cause inflamed, itchy skin that is difficult to treat. There is no cure for either eczema or psoriasis, so as with most chronic diseases, managing symptoms is central to treatment. Many people use ointments and creams and/or prescription and anti-allergy medications. These have limited effectiveness and the medications often carry with them additional unwanted risks and side effects.

In the search for an effective natural alternative, researchers have conducted peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of red light therapy for people with eczema and psoriasis. The results, although preliminary, are very positive, which gives cause for optimism and encourages further research.

Research has shown that red light therapy reduces itching and swelling in eczema

In one of the first human studies to analyse red light and eczema, researchers followed 81 patients for almost a year and measured how their symptoms developed with regular treatment.

Researchers assessed eczema rashes before, during and after patients tried red light treatment. People only had one two-minute session of red light therapy per week. Even with such a short treatment, the researchers found a significant improvement in common eczema symptoms, including a reduction in all subsequent symptoms:

• goose bumps (follicular keratosis)
• peeling of the skin (pityriasis)
• redness (erythema)
• pimples or swellings (papules)
• The research team also assessed the level of itching before, during and after red light therapy and found that patients scratched their skin less and had fewer leathery patches (lichenification) during red light therapy.

This study also concluded that there were "no side effects" during or after red light therapy, which is consistent with hundreds of other studies and trials of red light therapy for skin and health. In the case of eczema treatment, the researchers concluded that they "believe [red light therapy] may become a new therapy of choice" for the treatment of common eczema. Consistency is key with natural light treatment, but in the study cited above, even infrequent, brief treatments made a significant difference in the group of people with eczema that the researchers analyzed."

Lab studies show red light therapy improves eczema and reduces itching

Red light therapy has also been shown in many laboratory studies to be beneficial for the treatment of eczema, especially when used in combination with other treatments. A variety of products, from sophisticated immunosuppressive drugs to simple warm water baths, have been tested in combination with natural light therapy, with very encouraging results.

A 2013 study examined the benefits of light therapy and immunosuppressive medicine. Researchers noted many benefits for the treatment of eczema:

• Significantly reduced severity of skin lesions
• Reduced inflammation
• Restored skin barrier

In a similar study conducted by the same principal investigator, the effects of red light combined with a simple hot water bath were examined in eczema. The red light therapy and hot bath also reduced inflammation, reduced the formation of skin lesions and suppressed allergic reactions.

The 2017 study used SCORAD, a clinical tool that assesses the severity of eczema. Researchers found that light therapy reduced skin thickness, the number of allergy-related cells and dead cells that accumulated in the epidermis. Further research into red light and eczema is needed and studies are currently underway, but the current body of research is very positive and shows how natural red light therapy can reduce itching and inflammation and improve skin lesions in people with eczema. Red light therapy has also been found to help treat many other skin conditions.

Research shows that red light is a promising treatment for psoriasis

A 2010 study treated patients with chronic psoriasis, which in most cases proved resistant to conventional treatments. Researchers treated patients for 4 to 5 weeks with follow-ups and found significant improvement in psoriasis symptoms. Red light therapy improved psoriasis symptoms:

Psoriasis cured: 60% to 100% clearance occurred in patients with recurrent psoriasis.

Reduced inflammation: red light therapy reduced skin inflammation in psoriasis patients.

Patient satisfaction: The researchers concluded that "the satisfaction of psoriasis patients treated with red light was generally very high."

Another double-blind, randomized study evaluated 20 psoriasis patients. By monitoring two psoriatic plaques in each patient, one treated and one untreated, researchers were able to find that red light therapy improved psoriasis by reducing redness, hardening and scaling of the skin.

Reducing eczema inflammation and psoriasis with red light therapy

Almost every study on red light and eczema or psoriasis documents a reduction in inflammation levels. This reduction in inflammation reduces itching and pain and also helps speed up the healing process and prevent chronic symptoms. The natural anti-inflammatory effects of red light have been widely documented in hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical studies, and red light therapy is indicated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of pain and burden.

Source, including links to studies: https://www.degreewellness.com/2020/04/red-light-therapy-for-treating-eczema-and-psoriasis-symptoms/