Common "Phototherapy" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Phototherapy

Phototherapy is also called light therapy. It is a medical treatment that involves exposure to fluorescent lights, halogen lights, sunlight, and light-emitting diodes for treating certain medical conditions. It is used to treat newborn jaundice and lowers bilirubin levels present in the baby's blood through photo-oxidation. It is used for treating various forms of eczema in children and adults by reducing itching and inflammation. The common side effects of phototherapy are dry skin, nausea, folliculitis, blisters, and itchy skin.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

I have white spots due to a food allergy. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor,I have experienced tiny white spots on my hand and leg for the past four years due to a food allergy. I decided to use NBUVB phototherapy to resolve it. Before four years, all spots disappeared in just a month with ten treatments; the final treatment took approximately three minutes. Af...  Read Full »


Dr. Dilip Kumar Meena

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. The time itself is not the primary criterion in narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy. It is the dose that decides the time. Three joules per square centimeter is the highest dose recommended for NB-UVB therapy. I...  Read Full »

My 9-day-old baby has high bilirubin levels. Please suggest.

Query: Hello doctor, Our baby boy was born 9 days ago. Mom and the infant, both have B plus blood group. His weight at the time of birth was 6.68 lbs. After five days, his bilirubin level was 13.06. Today, the bilirubin level was 15.36. Our doctor advised vitamin D3 oral dose for one year. What is your sug...  Read Full »


Dr. Deepak Patel

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns. 1. Your child is now 9 days old. Since, both mother and child have same blood group, there are less chances of pathological hyperbilirubinemia. 2. On the 9th day of life, the bilirubin level of 15.36 does not require phototherapy ...  Read Full »

Should I worry if my newborn has a bilirubin level of 9.1?

Query: Hello doctor, My baby is 48 hours old now. Her bilirubin level is 9.1 mg/dL. Is it a cause for concern? Thank you.  Read Full »


Dr. Bhaisara Baraturam Bhagrati

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I will need more details to analyze the report. 1. What was the birth weight? 2. What is the blood group of the mother and baby? Usually, for a full-term baby with a birth weight of more than 3 kg, the mother's blood is not Rh negative or O Rh negative; it is cons...  Read Full »

What is the normal hemoglobin level for newborns?

Query: Hi doctor,This is regarding my friend's daughter. The baby is 7 days old. Initially, we were reported that the baby had jaundice. She was on phototherapy for two days and was declared normal. Now, her hemoglobin level is 22. Her father's Hb level is 17. Is hemoglobin level 22 normal in newborn? We a...  Read Full »


Dr. Faisal Abdul Karim Malim

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. 1. Yes, hemoglobin of 22 is definitely on the higher side. It can cause complications like hypoglycemia and sluggish blood flow to vital organs. 2. A partial exchange transfusion is required in which a small amount of blood will be withdrawn from the baby and will be...  Read Full »

Will jaundice cause brain damage in a preterm baby?

Query: Hi doctor, My daughter is a 3-month-old baby, and she is early term baby delivered on the seventh four months ago. On the seventh day, we found out she has jaundice and admitted her. Her level is severe 30 mg/dL, but after phototherapy, for six hours, it reduces 20 mg, and it is gradual to 13. We d...  Read Full »


Dr. Rakesh Radheshyam Gupta

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Very high bilirubin can cause some brain injury. There are various factors that cause raised bilirubin. You said bilirubin was 30, then dropped to 20 in six hours. It is unlikely. It could be some error. If your baby is active, playful, and feeding well no need to wo...  Read Full »

I have been suffering from psoriasis for the past five years and have red, dry, inflamed skin patches with silver-white scales. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor,I have been suffering from psoriasis for the past five years. The symptoms are dry, red, elevated, and inflamed skin with silver-white scales covering the red regions of the skin. Please help.Thank you.  Read Full »


Dr. Suvash Sahu

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read the query, and I can understand your concern. You have nummular dermatitis (discoid) or chronic plaque psoriasis. This condition develops due to unknown causes and is characterized by chronic recurrent discrete coin-shaped red patches covered in silvery sca...  Read Full »

I have vitiligo, and the white spots are getting darker. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 19-year-old, have vitiligo and I am taking phototherapy along with medicines for about six months now. The white spots on the palms and fingers in hands and in lips have not spread but some spots have become darker. How long will it take for it to cure? Should I consider other kin...  Read Full »


Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Vitiligo on palms and soles are usually quite resistant to therapy and takes a very long time depending upon the extent of involvement. Also, there are chances that it may not completely resolve too in such locations. Phototherapy is a safe and effective treatment ap...  Read Full »

Kindly comment on my son's bilirubin report.

Query: Hi doctor, I just want you to check the report of my son, who is 3 days old. Kindly check the report and tell me about his health. Is everything fine in the report?  Read Full »


Dr. Deepak Patel

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns. I have seen the report that you have sent (attachment removed to protect patient identity). 1. Today is day 4 of your child and bilirubin total is 8.7 mg/dL and indirect bilirubin is 8.2 mg/dl. This is slightly higher in this age and...  Read Full »

Why does my newborn baby have high bilirubin?

Query: Hi doctor, Our newborn baby was found to have serum bilirubin 20 and direct 18 on the 4th day. Kindly suggest appropriate advice. If we are going for photo therapy, then which light is better?  Read Full »


Dr. Deepak Patel

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns. 1. Serum bilirubin of 20 is high for the baby. The value of 18 mg/dL should be indirect bilirubin, because indirect bilirubin is increased in most cases. If direct bilirubin is so much, then the treatment is different. 2. If it is in...  Read Full »

Kindly suggest a treatment for vitiligo.

Query: Hello doctor, I have vitiligo on my face, and my skin and hair are turning white. This is a major problem for me. Please suggest some treatment. What should I do?  Read Full »


Dr. Thakare Sampada Avinash

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. For vitiligo, there are many lines of management. If the patch is unstable, then oral medications can be advised. But if the vitiligo patch is stable, that is no change in the size of the patch over six months, then surgery can be done to re-pigment the vitiligo patch. ...  Read Full »

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