Hello! I have been a doctor for 21 years. My name is Georgy Olegovich Sapego. In this article I will tell you about how ultraviolet light spoils our immunity.
Special thanks to Remark and the image of Patricia Holman!
Many have heard that ultraviolet radiation kills the infection. This is true, but only if the infection lies on some surfaces. If you just sunbathe in the sun, then the likelihood of getting sick may increase.
I have been asked a lot about UV irradiators for the home. The World Health Organization says it's best not to mess with them. Because many scalp their skin.
In fact, ultraviolet light can kill infection on surfaces, but I know from experience that people regularly burn the cornea of their eyes with this business. Then they go blind for a week.
To make matters worse, many are trying to poke portable UV irradiators into their noses. This will not kill viruses. This is stupidity.
Ultraviolet light really helps with a runny nose during a cold. But the meaning is different. The viruses that cause the common cold live in different cells in the upper respiratory tract. Including in the sinuses around the nose and in the curls of the turbinates. The inside of the nose is like a complex labyrinth. An ultraviolet irradiator cannot illuminate all the nooks and crannies. Viruses will remain there.
Why then shine in the nose with "tube quartz"? This is done for the anti-inflammatory effect.
If you shine ultraviolet light into the nose during a runny nose, then the runny nose decreases, the snot will be less, and nasal breathing improves. This technique doesn't kill viruses, it just suppresses inflammation.
In general, everything is complicated there. Ultraviolet light can be beneficial and harmful at the same time.
Benefit
- The sun is good for mood.
- We need ultraviolet light from sunlight to synthesize vitamin D.
- Ultraviolet light treats psoriasis and a bunch of different skin diseases.
- Ultraviolet burn (erythema) is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Many have tried it in the clinic when they were treated for joints or back pain. Whoever tried it - he forever believed in the anti-inflammatory effect of ultraviolet radiation.
Harm
- Skin cancer.
- Side effects of drugs. Yes, if you are taking some antibiotics, then it is better not to stick out in the sun. Otherwise, you will be covered with a rash.
- Cataract.
- Aging skin.
- Suppression of immunity.
Immunity
Everyone has heard that ultraviolet light penetrates the skin only by a fraction of a millimeter. So how does he get to our immunity?
The fact is that immune cells live in the skin. They are quietly waiting for the invasion of the infection.
If we cut our finger, then special repair teams of skin cells will be pulled to the damaged area to heal the cut. They close the hole, but they don't do it instantly.
To prevent infection from slipping into the open hole inside the body, nature has provided our skin with special immune cells. They, like border guards, are distributed along the skin and watch out for violators of the border. If anyone appears, they will attack him and call for reinforcements.
The ultraviolet light that causes sunburn scars these internal border guards, but doesn't kill them. Immune cells in the skin remain slightly stunned, so the immune system in the skin is the first to decrease. If the skin has acne, then inflammation is suppressed and the skin becomes beautiful.
If it only ended with the skin, then there would not be much harm from this. But things are getting worse there.
Disinformation
Remember that border guard immune cells are constantly in touch with their command? They need this in order to call reinforcements on alarm. And then, in a state of stunning, they begin to send stupid messages to their commanders. The entire immunity army misunderstands these messages and degrades their combat readiness. Immunity is sagging. You can get sick from this.
World health organization
The WHO says sun exposure can increase the risk of viral, bacterial and other infections.
Classic
Remember "Three Comrades" by Remarque? There, the heroine was sick with tuberculosis. She persisted in sunbathing, although every time she felt bad after the sun. People at the time believed that sunlight would be beneficial for tuberculosis.
Do you remember when the heroine got really bad? After sunbathing on the beach for a long time. A very sad story ...
Do not sunbathe or shine on yourself with ultraviolet lamps. This is harmful to the immune system. If you decide to undergo treatment, it is better to consult your doctor.
