New machine to treat psoriasis

Press, 28 February 1978, Page 10

New machine to treat psoriasis

An estimated 5000 I Christchurch sufferers ‘ of psoriasis, a skin disease, will soon receive a vastly: improved treatment on a ' specialist black-light. machine. The machine, the first of; its kind in New Zealand, ! basically eliminates ultra-, violet light waves that cause; burning, leaving only rays that produce tanning. In, combination with al compound called oxsoralen,! taken internally by thepatient, the tanning rays; combat the skin ailment, and: help clear the skin. Dr D. A. Larnder,! president of the New; Zealand Psoriasis Association,: said that the machine would I reduce treatment periods from just under an hour to six or seven minutes..

Patients would require trom! six to 26 treatments,-, according to the severity of: the condition. Psoriasis attacked 2 to 31 per cent of a population,' Dr; Larnder said. In New Zealand there were from 60.-1 000 to 100,000 sufferers. The| disease could show in small ; areas or cover a person’s; body. The machine would be I used to treat only bad cases, ; I The unit at present in use; 'at the Christchurch Hospital I had been made three years' ■ ago by local physicists, but was “makeshift,” Dr Larnder; said. I The association has spent: two years raising money for ’ the " unit, and five organisations have given I large amounts: the Todd Foundation, the, Canterbury; Savings Bank, Dominion; Breweries. Ltd, Lincoln 1 College students, and the: Lions Club of Christchurch, j which will hand over a: cheque of .$2500 tomorrow to; the association. The money will be given I to the North Canterbury'j Hospital Board, which will; apply for an import licence; to import the machine. It; was valued at $BOOO to; $9OOO and the association i now had $9500 in its fund, j said Dr Larnder. j ■ The machine was expected! Ito be installed and ; functioning in the hospital’s | 'physiotherapy department in; I three or four months, he; : said.