Healthytalk8 Blue light therapy does not directly treat jaundice but is working on breaking down bilirubin.
Jaundice is a medical condition, where skin and eyes are white, and mucous membranes turn yellow.
However, both jaundice and mental disorders (which can be treated with light therapy) are also treated with doctors’ prescribed medicines.
Light Therapy
Contents
A powerful light lamp or box in front of you emits enough light to make your skin feel like natural sunlight.
It is one of the best alternative options to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), where the season affects a person.
Causes depression, and anxiety, are the most commonly seen symptoms. LT acts as natural sunlight, which triggers the feel-good hormones.
Even, much research has shown that LT can help in reducing the symptoms of seasonal depression.
There are many 3 common LTs white, blue, and red with distinct advantages, But can LT treat jaundice?
Jaundice
Jaundice is caused by the bilirubin (a yellow-orange substance) which is found in RBC, but when the liver is not able to function properly.
Then the bilirubin starts deposited in the liver, which makes the skin look yellow, causing jaundice.
It is also known as icterus.
Common symptoms of jaundice include:
How Does light therapy treat jaundice?
Jaundice can affect anyone but it is one of the most common health issues in babies. And in adults is rarely seen.
It is estimated about 6 out of every 10 babies, develop jaundice. and 8 out of 10 premature babies develop jaundice.
Many babies are cured without treatment within 2 weeks. but some babies have a high level of bilirubin that requires treatment.
Newborn infants, or born too early have more chance of getting jaundice because their liver isn’t mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream.
In 1968 a study was conducted on 111 infants and revealed that exposure to phototherapy safely prevented hyperbilirubinemia.
Does light therapy work on jaundice? if yes, how?
At present, blue light radiation is often used in treating newborn jaundice in the clinic (2).
Blue light therapy or phototherapy is one of the main uses for infants’ jaundice and its wavelength is as long as 420–470 nm (3).
The study reveals that the combined effect of bifico and blue light therapy can prompt intestinal peristalsis and excretion of bilirubin (4)
Which reduces the abnormal absorption of bilirubin in the intestinal wall, thus relieving the jaundice of patients (5). but how?
NOTE: As we know a high level of bilirubin in the liver causes jaundice, so this light therapy lowers the level of bilirubin in the baby's blood.
NOTE: When light therapy applies in babies, it adds oxygen to the bilirubin, so that it dissolves easily in water.
And the baby’s liver can break it down more easily, allowing easier removal of bilirubin from the blood.
Is it safe for babies?
It is considered safe for the baby as it does not contain harmful rays. In this, a special blanket is used to cover the baby, then light is used.
NOTE: Light therapy is also an effective treatment because it forces skin cells to produce melanin to protect the body from UV rays damage.
During this, the baby’s temperature will be maintained, to prevent any discomfort or dehydration by monitoring.
Covering a baby’s eyes it can damage the eyes however, there has been no report of eye damage with LT.
How Long Do Babies Need Light Therapy?
In most cases, babies are placed on Light Therapy for 24 to 48 hours, but In some cases, it requires only 24 hours or less.
NOTE: But in some other cases, it may take time from 5 to 8 days (6).
How much light to give to infants and when to give it? It is decided on what is the level of bilirubin in a baby, for this a simple blood test is needed.
The doctor may do a few tests (after therapy has started) every 4 to 6 hours to check the treatment is working.
NOTE: The baby is also checked every 6 to 12 hours after the bilirubin level drops or is neutral.
NOTE: A small number of babies with severe jaundice require a blood transfusion to dilute bilirubin levels into the RBC.
So Why don’t we put babies in direct Sunlight?
The sun also emits UV rays, which can put the baby at risk of sunburn, and developing abnormal growth of tissue on the skin.
Also, the amount of sunlight also matters, because the amount and power of sunlight increase or decrease as the day progresses (7).
Data revealed that sunlight may be about 6.5 times more effective than phototherapy If taken into appropriate amount (8).
If sunlight can be utilized in a safe and controlled manner it could be quite helpful in many ways (9).
Pros
There are many advantages of light therapy, whether it is red, blue, or white, all have their unique benefits.
In adults, it calms an overactive immune system, helps in repairing cells, and muscles, ease inflammation and itching, etc.
Cons
Light therapy is considered safe for babies, which is why it is used, but it also has a few side effects. This includes:
- The baby may develop a temporary rash
- Diarrhea
- Skin colour also changed
- Dark, grey-brown discolouration of urine, and serum
NOTE: Although the exact reason is not understood, it is believed that this is due to the collection of porphyrins and other metabolites.
Apart from jaundice, putting a newborn in direct sunlight is not recommended safe, because it could expose the baby to cold.
Learn More – Excellent Home Remedies For Cough And Cold
Can We Do Light Therapy At Home?
You can do at home, but remember, you should get it done only under the care of a doctor, who checks all the conditions of the baby.
In most cases, it is considered right to keep the baby in the hospital because all those facilities are easily available.
The doctor checks all criteria to make sure your baby can have phototherapy at home.
Phototherapy or light therapy at home includes:
- Your baby must be close to full-term
- They must be at least 48 hours old
- Your baby must be medically well, apart from jaundice, and will be checked by the baby doctor.
- A diet plan has to be made for the baby.
- You will need to talk to the hospital team for a nurse, who will take care of your baby.
NOTE: If you feel any difficulty or the baby feels any kind of discomfort, then talk to the doctor as soon as possible.
Down Line
Light therapy is effective in reducing bilirubin in the blood, and how long will child in LT? depend on the severity of bilirubin.
Putting a newborn in direct sunlight is not recommended safe, because it can easily damage the baby’s soft skin.
Apart from this, all medical facilities are done in hospitals, but if wanna do LT at home, then it should be done under the doctor.
