Hospital UVB Treatment vs Home UVB Treatment: What’s the Difference?

15 Mar Hospital UVB Treatment vs Home UVB Treatment: What’s the Difference?

If you’re living with psoriasis, eczema or another skin condition you may be aware that UVB light therapy (sometimes referred to as UVB phototherapy) is a common treatment option. But did you know that there are two ways to access this type of treatment – hospital-based UVB treatment and home UVB treatment? Maybe you are already aware of both options and are wondering which one is best for you.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the main differences between hospital UVB treatment and home UVB treatment – and explore the pros and cons of each so that you can make an informed decision about which choice is right for you.

The Key Differences

Hospital UVB Treatment

Hospital-based UVB treatments are usually administered by a dermatologist or other healthcare professional who has experience in using UVB light therapy for the treatment of skin conditions. Patients will typically attend hospital-based clinics a few times per week, and each session will typically last around 10 to 15 minutes, during which time the patient will stand or sit in a UVB phototherapy booth.

You can generally expect a more intense dose of UVB light than you would receive through home UVB treatment. This is because hospital UVB treatment takes place in a clinical setting, where the intensity of the UVB light can be closely controlled.

The Pros:

• The advantage of receiving treatment in a hospital is that you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible care and that the treatment is being administered in a safe and effective way.
• Patients will typically have their skin monitored regularly by the dermatologist, and the dose of UVB light they receive can be adjusted accordingly. This ensures that patients are getting the maximum benefit from their treatment while minimising any potential risks.
• Another advantage of hospital UVB treatment is that it may be covered by your health insurance plan. If you have psoriasis or another skin condition that has been diagnosed by a healthcare professional, then your health insurance may cover the cost of private UVB light therapy treatments. However, it is important to check with your health insurance provider to see if they cover UVB treatment before you make an appointment.

The Cons:

• By far the biggest downside of opting for hospital UVB treatment is the waiting times. Not all hospitals offer this type of treatment, but for those that do – the waiting lists are astronomically long. Eczema and psoriasis are both conditions that can flare up with almost no warning, so the last thing you want is to be stuck on a long waiting list and not able to deal with a flare-up when it happens.
• Triggers that can worsen psoriasis and eczema include infections, changes in the weather, certain food ingredients and contact with certain irritants or allergens. For those patients who know their triggers their flare-ups, these issues can usually be con-trolled. By far the most problematic trigger though, is stress – which of course is much harder to control. When a flare-up is triggered by stress, a quick solution is required and hospitals simply can’t react quickly enough to solve this problem. In addition, the whole process of attending hospital appointments for treatment is in itself, stressful! From taking time off work, trying to get a parking space, rushing to get to appointments on time – to the stress of travelling if your local hospital doesn’t offer UVB treatments. This can all contribute massively to a person’s stress levels, which in turn can exacerbate a flare-up.
• Hospital UVB treatment is that it can be time-consuming and inconvenient. If you have a busy schedule, it can be challenging to find time to travel to and from appointments.
• Waiting lists for this type of treatment can be long unless you’re paying to go private.
• Hospital UVB treatments can be expensive if private health insurance doesn’t cover the cost.

Home UVB Treatment

If you’re looking for a more convenient and affordable option, then home UVB treatment may be the right choice for you. In contrast to hospital UVB treatment, home UVB photo-therapy involves using a portable UVB light device in the comfort of your own home. These devices are generally smaller and less powerful than those used in hospitals, but they can still be extremely effective for treating psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions.

Home UVB light therapy treatment typically consists of using the device for a short period of time every other day, depending on the intensity of the UVB light, and patients are given instructions on how to use the device safely.

The Pros:

• One of the main advantages of home UVB treatment is that it offers a high degree of flexibility and can be adapted to fit around your schedule. There’s no need to travel to and from appointments, and you can treat yourself in the morning or evening depending on what time works best for you. Many people prefer this option as it is much less disruptive to their daily routine and it’s much less stressful – two vitally important factors when dealing with a chronic skin condition.
• Home UVB treatment is quick and easy to organise. This can be a huge plus when it comes to experiencing a sudden flare-up in your condition. You can start treatment immediately rather than having to wait for weeks or even months to get a hospital appointment and avoid your condition worsening in the meantime – dealing with any flare-ups when they happen. These problem skin conditions can typically prevent people from doing lots of things that others take for granted – particularly if the condition affects their hands or face. This quick and easy access to effective home treatment allows you to get back to a normal life more quickly – you can wear the clothes you want without having to worry about covering up any affected body parts!
• If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of receiving treatment in a hospital setting, then home UVB treatment may be a better option for you.
• Opting for home UVB light therapy also eliminates the worry and inconvenience long hospital waiting lists. You can start treatment right away!
• Home UVB treatments are also generally more affordable than private hospital UVB treatments.

The Cons:

• The downside of home UVB treatment is that you won’t be monitored by a healthcare professional, so there’s a greater risk of overexposing yourself to UVB if instructions aren’t followed correctly.
• It’s also important to note that home UVB devices aren’t suitable for everyone, so it’s important to speak to a professional before you opt to use this type of treatment.

Conclusion

As you can see, both hospital UVB treatment and home UVB treatment have their own advantages and disadvantages. So, which is the right choice for you? The answer depends on your individual circumstances and what’s most important to you.

If you’re looking for a more intense dose of UVB light and have the time and money to spare, and you’re not in a rush to begin treatment, then hospital-based phototherapy through either a private clinic or a dermatology department may be the preferred option. However, if your priorities are convenience and affordability, and you want a quicker and easier option that can be tailored to your own schedule and enable you to deal with those frustrating flare-ups, then home UVB treatment is going to be a better choice.

If you’re considering home UVB treatment and would like more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We offer a free consultation to discuss our range of home UVB devices and help you to determine the best treatment route for you based on your specific needs.