University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust scientists have developed a lamp which could treat chronic ulcers with light.
The Arthritis Research UK funded trial led by Dr Michael Hughes tested the therapy – which combines infrared, red and ultraviolet light – on finger ulcers caused by a condition called systemic sclerosis, where the immune system attacks the body’s fingers and toes.
Dr Hughes said the results were so emphatic, the device is a potential treatment for other ulcers, including diabetic and venous ulcers, a huge problem for tens of thousands of patients
People with diabetes are at risk of ulcers or open wounds that don’t heal because of poor circulation, a complication of the condition.
Venous ulcers occur when blood doesn’t flow from the lower legs back to the heart, causing a build-up of pressure in the veins.
The lamp built by Medical Physics team at Salford Royal has 32 different bulbs which emit infrared, red or ultraviolet light. Eight patients with 14 ulcers between them had the treatment.
In the study, published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment today, the patients were treated using the lamp for 15-minute sessions, twice a week for three weeks.
After treatment, there was an average 83 per cent improvement in the ulcers, with no side-effects.
Scientists believe ultra-violet light, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, kill the bacteria and reduce the inflammation that prevents healing.
Red light is believed to boost blood circulation, increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients needed for wound healing.
Dr Hughes is Consultant Rheumatologist in Sheffield at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, a specialist centre for scleroderma.
We believe this technology is a game changer; the implications are huge.
Dr Michael Hughes
It is also thought to stimulate the production of the protein collagen in the skin, which provides the natural scaffolding to help new tissue grow.
And infrared light, used in TV remote controls, is associated with increasing blood flow and oxygen.
Patients having light therapy for ulcers, using lasers, are currently treated in hospital over five days and are forced to take medication which lower their blood pressure.
However, the new therapy can be administered at home and, says Dr Hughes, with SIM card technology can even be used to monitors patients’ progress remotely.
He said: “We believe this technology is a game changer; the implications are huge.
“Ulcers cause much distress to patients – and current treatments are costly to the NHS and problematic for patients who can only receive them in hospital.
“But this technology is cheap and practical- it’s really a no brainer as it can be administered at home.
“There are future possibilities as well: we think this device could be easily adapted to monitor ulcers remotely using cameras. They could also be programmed to recognise different parts of the body so that the treatment is given accurately.
“In the next 6 to 12 months we shall be refining the machine and within 12 months we hope to trialing it on diabetic ulcers.”
Learn more: Light device is effective ulcer treatment
The Latest on: Ulcers
[google_news title=”” keyword=”ulcers” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Ulcers
- Syphilis is increasingly displaying atypical, severe symptomson April 29, 2024 at 11:00 am
Syphilis cases are on the rise in the United States, and doctors in Chicago say they are increasingly seeing cases that don't display typical symptoms, such as rash or skin ulcers.
- Pain and Itch ‘Down There’ Can Signal a Vaginal Ulcer — See the Remedies Ob/Gyns Recommendon April 29, 2024 at 6:01 am
If your vaginal ulcers come from a viral infection, your dotor will likely prescribe an antiviral medication like valacyclovir (Valtrex), says Dr. Purdie. For vaginal ulcers that come from dermatitis, ...
- Rise in diabetics forced to go for amputations due to foot ulcers, finds studyon April 29, 2024 at 5:11 am
A recent study conducted by the Christian Medical College, Vellore, has uncovered a concerning trend among diabetes patients in India: a rising number of toe and foot amputations due ...
- The Fabulous Fabulist Lawyer Who Wasn’t, but Still Managed to Get a Man Off Death Rowon April 29, 2024 at 4:30 am
Eddie Harrison was in deep trouble. It was 1960, and he was an 18-year-old Black man accused of killing a loan shark in Washington, D.C., where a first-degree murder conviction would send him to the ...
- No Antibiotics Needed – Revolutionary Chronic Wound Treatment Could Help Millionson April 28, 2024 at 1:29 am
An international team of scientists has developed a new treatment for chronic wounds that uses ionized gas to activate a wound dressing, without the need for antibiotics. The treatment involves the pl ...
- Therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in Crohn’s diseaseon April 25, 2024 at 6:00 am
Whether human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) could heal luminal ulcers in Crohn’s disease.
- Shoe technology reduces risk of diabetic foot ulcerson April 20, 2024 at 2:16 pm
Researchers have developed a new shoe insole technology that helps reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers, a dangerous open sore that can lead to hospitalization and leg, foot or toe amputations.
- Foot ulcers in diabetes: Simple guide for diabetics with 5 practical tips to prevent foot ulcerson April 20, 2024 at 5:33 am
To mitigate the risk of foot ulcers, particularly among individuals susceptible due to conditions like diabetes, adhering to these guidelines is essential ...
- Shoe technology helps reduce risk of diabetic foot ulcerson April 19, 2024 at 11:27 am
Researchers have developed a new shoe insole technology that helps reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers, a dangerous open sore that can lead to hospitalization and leg, foot or toe amputations.
via Bing News