DIY UV therapy?

The New York Times last week cautioned eczema sufferers against trying to do UV therapy yourself at a tanning salon instead of under the care of a doctor since tanning beds carry with them a risk of cancer. Apparently, the UV rays administered by a doctor are UVB and those in most tanning beds are UVA, which are thought to be more dangerous.

Unfortunately, phototherapy from a doctor may not be covered by insurance and/or getting to a hospital or doctor's office as frequently as needed may be inconvienent or just not possible. So many eczema patients turn to tanning beds.

I have tried doctor-administered phototherapy myself during the winter, when it is difficult to get UV rays the old-fashioned way by sitting outside. While it didn't eliminate my symptoms, it may have reduced them slightly. In the end, I decided the co-pays and constant shuttling to the hospital were not worth it. That said, in late spring and early fall and some summer days, when it is possible to soak up some sun but also not get very sweaty (which aggrevates my eczema), I can feel the improvement in the itch and the rash. But I have learned the hard way to be very careful about sun exposure. I got burned on my back a couple months ago and not only was it a bit painful, it triggered a bad flare-up as my skin peeled and new skin came in. Not helpful!