Puva Health Dictionary

A form of treatment in which deliberate exposure to a photosensitising drug and ultraviolet light bene?ts certain skin diseases, particularly PSORIASIS and T-cell LYMPHOMA. A psoralen is the photoactive agent which reacts with long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA), giving the acronym, PUVA therapy.... photochemotherapy

Treatment with light, including sunlight, ultraviolet light, blue light, or lasers. Moderate exposure to sunlight is the most basic form, and is often helpful in treating psoriasis.

PUVA combines the use of long-wave ultraviolet light with a psoralen drug, which sensitizes the skin to light. This is used to treat psoriasis and other skin diseases such as vitiligo. Psoriasis may also be treated using short-wave ultraviolet light, sometimes combined with the application of coal tar.

Visible blue light is used to treat neonatal jaundice (see jaundice, neonatal), which is due to high levels of the pigment bilirubin in the blood. In phototherapy, bilirubin is converted into a harmless substance that can be excreted. To maximize exposure, the baby is undressed and placed under the lights in an incubator to keep him warm.phrenic nerve One of the pair of main nerves supplying the diaphragm. Each phrenic nerve carries motor impulses to the diaphragm, and plays a part in controlling breathing. Injury to, or surgical cutting of, 1 of the nerves results in paralysis of 1 half of the diaphragm.... phototherapy

A common skin disease characterized by thickened patches of red, inflamed skin, often covered by silvery scales. It usually appears between ages 10 and 30, tends to run in families, and affects men and women equally.

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. New skin cells are made about 10 times faster than normal. The excess cells accumulate, forming thickened patches covered with dead, flaking skin. Sometimes, there is also a painful swelling and stiffness of the joints (see arthritis). Psoriasis tends to recur in attacks, which may be triggered by factors such as emotional stress, skin damage, and physical illness.

There are different forms of the disorder. The most common is discoid, or plaque, psoriasis, in which patches appear on the trunk, limbs, and scalp. Guttate psoriasis occurs most often in children, and consists of many small patches that develop over a wide area of skin. Pustular psoriasis is characterized by small pustules.

In most cases, the condition can be improved with topical treatments, such as those containing corticosteroid drugs and coal tar. Other treatments include dithranol ointment, PUVA, and drugs such as methotrexate. Psoriasis is usually a long-term condition.

psych- A prefix meaning mental processes or activities, as in psychology.... psoriasis

Steud.

Family: Sapindaceae.

Habitat: South India, Assam and Bengal.

Ayurvedic: Aakshiki (non-classical).

Siddha/Tamil: Puvatti, Shempuvan.

Folk: Aashaphala (Bengal), Naag- lichi (Assam).

Action: The aril of the fruit is used in prescriptions of Chinese traditional medicine for treating insomnia, neurosis, palpitation, amnesia and anaemia.

It has been found to ameliorate the impaired learning process in mice.

An aqueous extract of the fruit pulp showed stimulating effect on superoxide dimutase activity in red blood cells of mice., indicating its possible use in delaying the aging process.

The seeds contain antimutagens, amino-hydroxy-hexynoic acid, hypo- glycin A (which causes hypoglycaemia) and amino-hydroxy-heptynoic acid.... euphoria longan

Vahl.

Synonym: S. trifoliatus auct. non Linn.

Family: Sapindaceae.

Habitat: South India; also cultivated around villages in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

English: Soapnut tree of South India.

Ayurvedic: Arishtaka, Pheni- la, Raktabeeja, Reethaakaranja, Garbhapaatana.

Unani: Reethaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Puvamkottai, Mani pungu.

Action: Fruit—astringent, emetic, detergent, anthelmintic. Pulp— aqueous solution used as nasal drops in migraine, epilepsy and hysteria. Root—used for gout, rheumatism and paralysis.

Saponin from pericarp of nuts yielded the genins, methylhedragenate, sap- indic acid and methyl oleanolate.

Dosage: Fruit—3-6 g powder. (CCRAS.)... sapindus laurifolius

(Lour.) Oken.

Synonym: S. trijuga Willd & Klein.

Family: Sapindaceae.

Habitat: The sub-Himalayan tract from Kashmir to West Bengal; Bihar, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, southwards to Peninsular India.

English: Lac tree, Macassar Oil tree, Honey tree, Ceylon Oak.

Ayurvedic: Koshaamra, Kshudraam- ra, Lakshaa vrksha, Ghanaskandha.

Siddha/Tamil: Puvathipuvam, Pulaachi.

Action: Bark—astringent; mixed with oil, applied externally in skin eruptions. Seed oil—used for massage in rheumatism and applied in alopecia, itch and acne; stimulates hair growth. (Tree is an important host of Kusmi lac.)

Fatty acids of the oil consisted of ole- ic (52.%), gadoleic, stearic, arachidic, behenic, palmitoleic and palmitic acids. Young leaves contain gallo-tannic acid (5.09%, dry matter basis). The bark contains 9.4% tannin.

Dosage: Bark—50-100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... schleichera oleosa

A rare type of lymphoma that primarily affects the skin of the buttocks, back, or shoulders. The cause of mycosis fungoides is unknown. In its mildest form, it produces a nonitchy, red, scaly rash, which may spread slowly or remain unaltered for many years. In more severe forms, thickened patches of skin, ulcers, and enlarged lymph nodes may develop.

The diagnosis is confirmed with a skin biopsy.

Treatment may include PUVA, radiotherapy, nitrogen mustard, anticancer drugs, and corticosteroid drugs.... mycosis fungoides

Drugs containing chemicals called psoralens, which occur in some plants and are present in some perfumes.

When absorbed into the skin, psoralens react with ultraviolet light to cause skin darkening or inflammation.

Psoralen drugs may be used in conjunction with ultraviolet light (a combination called PUVA) to treat psoriasis and vitiligo.

Overexposure to ultraviolet light during treatment, or to too high a dose of a psoralen drug, may cause redness and blistering of the skin.

Psoralens in perfumes may cause photosensitivity.... psoralen drugs

A common disorder of skin pigmentation in which patches of skin, most commonly on the face, hands, armpits, and groin, lose their colour. Vitiligo is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. It may occur at any age but usually develops in early adulthood.

Spontaneous repigmentation occurs in some cases.

A course of phototherapy using PUVA can also induce repigmentation of the skin, and creams containing corticosteroid drugs may help.... vitiligo

n. see PUVA.... psoralen

There is strong evidence that sunlight plays a major role in the development of human skin cancers. Skin malignancy usually takes the form of Basal Cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma that may develop from pre-existing naevi.

Basal Cell Cancer. Strong sunlight on fair skins. Common on face and hands and other exposed areas. Commences as a tiny hard nodule. See – RODENT ULCER.

Squamous Cell Cancer. The role of sunlight in this type of cancer is even more positive. Other causes: photosensitisers such as pitch and PUVA photochemotherapy. Commences as a raised scaly rapidly- growing nodule.

Malignant Melanoma. Rare, but incidence rising. Four different kinds. Incidence is increased in individuals with fair or red hair who tend to burn rather than tan in the sun.

Causes may be numerous: genetic, occupational hazards or exposure to low-level radiation. Heavy freckling in youth doubles the risk. (Western Canada Melanoma study)

A study carried out by the New York’s Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre refers to damage to the ultra violet-blocking ozone layer by supersonic jet exhaust and aerosol propellants that can also raise the malignant melanoma rate. A University of Sydney study links fluorescent lighting with the disease. Symptoms. Itching lesion increases in size and with growing discoloration. Colours may present as brown, black, red, blue, white, with a red inflammatory border. May progress to a dry crust, with bleeding.

Study. A study conducted by a team from Melbourne University, Anti-Cancer Council and St Vincent’s Hospital, Australia, describes a summer-long experiment that showed that people who used a sun-screen lotion (in this case SPF-17) cut their chances of developing the first signs of skin cancer.

Study. Patients who receive blood transfusions are more likely to develop malignant lymphomas and non- melanomatous skin cancers. (European Journal of Cancer (Nov 1993))

Eclectic physicians of the 19th century reported success from the use of American Mandrake (podophylum peltatum). Recent experience includes a 76 per cent cure rate achieved in 68 patients with carcinoma of the skin by treatment twice daily for 14 days with an ointment consisting of Podophyllum resin 20 per cent, and Linseed oil 20 per cent, in lanolin, followed by an antibiotic ointment. (Martindale 27; 1977, p. 1341) Podophyllum is an anti-mitotic and inhibits cell-division and should not be applied to normal cells.

Aloe Vera. Fresh cut leaf, or gel, to wipe over exposed surfaces.

Vitamin E oil. Applying the oil to the skin can reduce chances of acquiring skin cancer from the sun. (University of Arizona College of Medicine)

Red Clover. “I have seen a case of skin cancer healed by applying Red Clover blossoms. After straining a strong tea, the liquid was simmered until it was the consistency of tar. After several applications the skin cancer was gone, and has not returned.” (May Bethel, in “Herald of Health”, Dec. 1963)

Clivers. Equal parts juice of Clivers (from juice extractor) and glycerine. Internally and externally.

Thuja. Internal: 3-5 drops Liquid Extract, morning and evening.

Topical. “Take a small quantity powdered Slippery Elm and add Liquid Extract Thuja to make a stiff paste. Apply paste to the lesion. Cover with gauze and protective covering. When dry remove pack and follow with compresses saturated with Thuja.” (Ellingwood’s Therapeutist, Vol 10, No 6, p. 212) Echinacea and Thuja. Equal parts liquid extracts assist healthy granulation and neutralise odour.

Rue Ointment. Simmer whole fresh leaves in Vaseline.

Poke Root. An old physician laid great stress on the use of concentrated juice of green leaves. Leaves are bruised, juice extracted, and concentrated by slow evaporation until the consistency of a paste, for persistent skin cancer. Care should be taken to confine to the distressed area. (Ellingwood’s Therapeutist, Vol 8, No 7, p. 275)

Maria Treben. Horsetail poultice.

Laetrile. Some improvement claimed. 1 gram daily.

Cider vinegar. Anecdotal evidence: external use: small melanoma.

Diet. See: DIET – CANCER. Beta-carotene foods.

Treatment by skin specialist or oncologist. ... cancer – skin