ultraviolet therapy

ultraviolet (UV) therapy

Etymology: L, ultra, beyond; OFr, violette + Gk, therapeia, treatment

the therapeutic application to the body of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. This therapy is useful in the control of infectious airborne bacteria and viruses and in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions.

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ultraviolet

denoting electromagnetic radiation of wavelength shorter than that of the violet end of the spectrum, having wavelengths of 4-400 nanometers.

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ultraviolet antisepsis

because ultraviolet rays are capable of killing bacteria and other microorganisms, they are sometimes utilized in specially designed cabinets to sterilize objects, and may also be used to sterilize the air in operating rooms and other areas where destruction of bacteria is necessary.

ultraviolet irradiation

the projection of ultraviolet light from a generator is used for the treatment of skin disease and for sterilization of materials.

ultraviolet rays

electromagnetic radiation beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum (at 0.39 to 0.18 μm wavelength) and therefore not visible to humans. They are produced by the sun but are absorbed to a large extent by particles of dust and smoke in the earth's atmosphere. They are also produced by the so-called sun lamps.

Ultraviolet rays can produce sun-burning and affect skin pigmentation. When they strike the skin surface, these rays transform provitamin D, secreted by the glands of the skin, into vitamin D, which is then absorbed into the body.

ultraviolet therapy

the employment of ultraviolet radiation in the treatment of various diseases, particularly those affecting the skin, is used in humans, but not commonly employed in veterinary medicine.