UV lamp for the bathroom. Features of the heliotherapy (sunbathing) procedure for treatment and prevention. Type #3 - amalgam type devices

Lamps with ultraviolet radiation have long been successfully used not only in various medical institutions, the food industry and the beauty industry, but also in ordinary apartments. There are many household appliances whose operating principle is based on air purification using ultraviolet radiation. Based on the purposes for which and how often you plan to use such devices, you can choose a quartz or bactericidal lamp, closed or open type, with or without the formation of ozone during operation. Each option has its own strengths and weaknesses. Let's take a closer look at what models of ultraviolet lamps are available, and what you should pay attention to when choosing this household appliance.

Quartz lamps should not be used too often. Excessive sterility in apartments can negatively affect human health. With constant disinfection, the immune system does not encounter various microbes and, accordingly, is deprived of the opportunity for natural development. But during periods of illness or to get rid of mold in an apartment, ultraviolet lamps will be very useful.

What type of ultraviolet lamp is best for home use?

Before you buy a UV lamp for periodic treatment of your apartment, you need to find out what types of devices are available. There are several types of them; lamps may differ in the material from which the bulbs are made, the intensity of radiation and the principle of operation. Based on the purpose and expected frequency of use, the type of lamp is chosen.

They got their name due to the material from which the flask is made. Quartz glass is used for their production. In such devices, mercury acts as a source of ultraviolet radiation. Under the influence of electric current, it begins to emit waves with a length of 205 to 315 nm. It is this radiation that allows you to achieve the maximum disinfecting effect. Ultraviolet rays of quartz lamps destroy various microorganisms, mold, viruses, and unicellular algae. Ozone, which is formed at wavelengths less than 257 nm, is a gas with a strong oxidizing effect. It promotes better treatment of the room, destroying certain types of microbes. At high concentrations, ozone becomes toxic. Such devices should be used with extreme caution, as they can also have a negative effect on humans. You need to turn on the quartz lamp in an empty room, and go there only after the device has completed its work. It is advisable to remove all indoor plants from the treated area. This rule also applies to pets.

Quartz lamps are widely used in medical institutions. They are used to disinfect operating rooms and hospital wards. They have also found their application in the food industry. Treatment of food warehouses with ultraviolet light helps vegetables and fruits stay fresh longer, since during operation of the device pathogenic microflora that leads to rotting is destroyed.

If you use quartz lamps during infectious epidemics in preschool and school institutions, as well as in hospitals and sanatoriums, this will significantly reduce the spread of the disease. Ultraviolet lamps of this type can treat various diseases associated with the respiratory system and the musculoskeletal system. In addition, they are successfully used for burns and frostbite.

also based on the emission of ultraviolet rays by mercury under the influence of electricity. The difference between such a device and its quartz counterpart is that its bulb is made of uviol glass. It is this material that ensures that rays with a length of less than 257 nm, due to which ozone is formed, do not pass through. Disinfection is carried out only using “softer”, long-wave UV radiation. They are much safer for household use, but their properties are less effective than quartz lamps.

Due to the fact that ozone is not formed in the air, bactericidal emitters do not harm the respiratory system. In hospitals they can work almost constantly. The most important thing in this case is to follow some safety rules - the lamps must be in a special casing, and the light must be directed upward to prevent a negative impact on the eyes of those present.

If you do not want to use UV radiation to treat various diseases at home, it is better to purchase a germicidal lamp. But do not forget that although such a device is relatively safe, it is better to wear special safety glasses during its operation so as not to damage the cornea of ​​the eyes. These glasses are usually sold complete with a lamp. But if you don’t have them, purchase additional ones or leave the room while the device is operating.

IMPORTANT! If you break the bulb of a bactericidal or quartz lamp, you will have to work hard to clean up the spilled mercury. Such devices contain from 1 to 3 grams of liquid metal. In addition to problems with cleaning, the issue of disposal of fragments and collected mercury will arise, because such garbage should absolutely not be thrown into a bucket or poured into a sewer. You will have to find out which service in your city handles hazardous waste disposal.

differ significantly from bactericidal and quartz - their flask contains not mercury, but its alloy with indium and bismuth. This solid substance is called amalgam. Under the influence of electric current, the amalgam heats up and the mercury begins to evaporate. These pairs give off radiation. Ultraviolet lamps of this type are quite effective for home use.

Unlike bactericidal and quartz analogues, amalgam emitters are safe in case of accidental damage; in addition, they do not need to be taken to special institutions for disposal. The mercury in such devices is in a bound state, and there is very little of it, a few milligrams. It will be enough to simply collect all the fragments, throw them in a bucket and wash the floors. If the lamp suddenly breaks during operation, toxic mercury vapor will be released into the air. This is not too dangerous as the vapor concentration is not sufficient to cause serious poisoning. In this case, simply ventilate the room.

Another undoubted advantage of amalgam lamps is that they have a service life twice as long as their bactericidal and quartz counterparts (16,000 hours versus 8,000 hours). In lamps whose bulbs are filled with liquid mercury, deposits form on the glass, which negatively affects the efficiency of the device. Flasks with amalgam do not become cloudy; they retain their appearance and functionality throughout their entire service life.

You can choose a so-called “ozone-free” lamp. Its bulb does not transmit short waves due to a special titanium oxide coating. This device is safe to use at home.

Review of ultraviolet lamps for the home

There are many models of UV lamps on the household appliance market. Let's look at the most basic ones that occur most often.

1. . It is a metal case containing a quartz flask. This device is equipped with legs and can be placed on any flat horizontal surface. Using a quartz lamp, you can carry out therapeutic procedures or disinfect rooms (in this case, you need to move the lid to increase the radiation). Such ultraviolet devices are used not only at home, but also in medical institutions, schools, and kindergartens. With their help, you can cure various diseases of the skin, respiratory system, or simply strengthen the immune system. Before using at home for medicinal purposes, you should consult a doctor. Disinfection of premises using a quartz emitter should be carried out for 20 - 30 minutes in the complete absence of people. The set of ultraviolet lamp “Sun” includes:

There are several models of such lamps. Before purchasing, be sure to study all the technical features of the devices in order to choose the one that is right for you.

2. Various types of products do an excellent job of disinfecting and purifying the air. bactericidal air recirculators . Such devices can destroy not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also foreign unpleasant odors. The recirculator is safe for people. Since the lamp is in a metal casing, and ultraviolet radiation does not lead to the formation of ozone, it can be present in the room being treated during its operation.

The operating principle of a bactericidal recirculator is based on fans sucking in air, purifying it using ultraviolet light and filters, and feeding it back into the room. Thanks to the presence of filters, the air in the recirculator is not only disinfected, but also gets rid of dust and other small contaminants.

Such devices are recommended for use in rooms where there are many people. They will be appropriate in children's institutions, fitness clubs, offices and shops, and medical institutions. Recirculators can cope with air purification even in smoking rooms and public toilets. This device weighs about 3.5 kilograms. For permanent use it can be mounted on the wall, for occasional use it can simply be placed on the floor.

3. Lamps such as "Quartz", "Promin" And "KBB" are mobile devices of open type. They are used exclusively for treating premises for disinfection purposes in the complete absence of people. These lamps have a metal body. Depending on the model, it contains a quartz or bactericidal lamp. Before purchasing emitters of these types, carefully read the instructions and distinctive features. They have different coverage areas, some devices work with the formation of ozone, while others do not. Some lamps are intended only for use in medical facilities and public areas.

4. Device Longevita UV Cure Home and Office based on the bactericidal principle of action. This lamp is intended for use at home and in offices. The device is completely safe. Due to the bactericidal lamp, which does not transmit short-wave radiation, and the protective casing, the device can operate continuously. The emitter itself is covered with a special cover, so there is no risk of damaging your eyes. Such a household appliance works as a recirculator. In addition to treatment with ultraviolet radiation, the air is purified by a photocatalytic filter. As a result, the room is not only disinfected, but also cleared of suspended dust particles, smoke and foreign odors. This property is useful if old people or bedridden patients live in the house. The device has the following technical characteristics:

5. Device Longevita UV CURE mini is a small-sized device that is convenient to use for small spaces such as a bathroom, kitchen or pantry. In addition, it can be used to treat the air in refrigerators, this will eliminate all unpleasant odors and significantly extend the life of the products stored in the refrigerator. Operating principle of the device Longevita UV CURE mini– exposure to short-wave ultraviolet radiation with the formation of ozone. This treatment helps get rid of various bacteria, molds and viruses. Thanks to ozonation, the air becomes fresh and unpleasant odors disappear. There should be no people in the room while the device is operating. Specifications Longevita UV CURE mini:

6. Another interesting device that emits ultraviolet light is wood lamp (other name - black lamp ). It emits waves between 350 and 407 nm, which are invisible to the human eye. But thanks to this long-wave ultraviolet radiation, various organic and inorganic substances, minerals and special dyes begin to luminesce. This device does not have disinfecting properties and is not used in treatment. Wood's lamp can be used at home for various purposes.

• Using a Wood's lamp, you can diagnose some skin diseases, even without special medical education in the field of dermatology. In a dark room (preferably without windows), examine the skin with a Wood's lamp. When exposed to ultraviolet light, bacteria and fungi that cause skin problems begin to glow in different shades. If you compare the results of the examination with a luminescence table (it is easy to find on the Internet), you can diagnose the presence (or absence) of diseases such as lichen, lupus, candidiasis, cancer and many others.
• You can use a Wood's lamp to inspect the room to find the source of the unpleasant odor. This is especially true for cat owners who have not yet learned how to use a litter box. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, physiological secretions and other organic contaminants will glow. To inspect, you need to turn off the lights, close the curtains and walk around the entire room, holding the device at a distance of no more than 40 cm from the surface being inspected.
• If you need to check banknotes for authenticity, you can also use a Wood's lamp. Real banknotes have special characters that begin to luminesce under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Where else is ultraviolet light used?

The beauty industry has been using ultraviolet light devices for a long time. In solariums they create a beautiful tan. In order for the manicure to last for a long time, the nails are covered with gel polish and dried using ultraviolet lamps.

UV emitters are found in household appliances such as air purifiers and washers, climate control systems, and ozonizers produced specifically for refrigerators. They are compact in size, so they can easily be placed on shelves. Thanks to the ozone, which is released during operation of the device, putrefactive bacteria and mold are destroyed. This helps to increase the shelf life of products. There are no unpleasant odors in the refrigerator where the ozonizer operates.

There are various devices (for example, ECOSOFT UV HR-60 and others), designed to use UV rays to purify water from various chemical impurities and microorganisms that can harm human health. Ultraviolet radiation helps to cope with various algae. This property is used in devices intended for cleaning and disinfecting water in public and home swimming pools and aquariums.

Contraindications and negative aspects of using ultraviolet light

There are no contraindications for disinfecting the premises. The most important thing is to strictly follow the instructions that are developed for each device and observe the necessary safety measures. Ultraviolet radiation in combination with ozone has the most negative effect on any living organism. If you are present in a room where such a device is operating, you can significantly worsen your health for several hours. Therefore, the main rule for disinfecting devices that produce ozone is that people, pets and plants should not be present in the room. Aquariums with fish, snails and reptiles also need to be removed. The quartzing time varies from 15 to 30 minutes. After disinfection, you must enter the room, turn off the device (if it does not have an auto-shut-off function) and open the window to reduce the ozone concentration. After airing, you can bring flowers and aquariums into the room again.

If you decide to carry out treatment procedures with an ultraviolet quartz lamp (such as the “Sun”) or a bactericidal lamp that is not equipped with a protective casing, then be sure to read the instructions for how long you can stay near the device when it is turned on. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer. During the procedure, be sure to use protective glasses that will protect your eyes from burns and the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (frequent exposure to the retina can lead to negative consequences).

Do not disinfect the room with UV lamps too often. This can negatively affect the condition of various surfaces, such as upholstery of upholstered furniture, wooden and plastic interior parts, and wallpaper. When exposed to daily ultraviolet radiation, they can lose their color brightness.

Ultraviolet lamps can become real helpers in everyday life. They improve the quality of the surrounding space without special material and time costs. The main thing to remember is that the effectiveness and safety of such household appliances can only be achieved if all the recommendations specified in the instructions are strictly followed.

One of the most ancient methods of treatment using climatotherapy is sun treatment: this technique allows you to get a pronounced positive result, which becomes clearly noticeable after the first few uses. The sun's rays, stimulating the protective functions of the skin and the whole body, activate all vital processes in the body, eliminating signs of inflammation and ensuring the production of vitamin D.

Thanks to this vitamin, it becomes possible to eliminate the insufficiency of the endocrine system to a greater extent, eliminate the negative manifestations of many organic lesions and prevent the worsening of existing inflammatory processes in the body.

Concept of method

Being one of the most active healing techniques, heliotherapy is easy to perform and can be used both in treatment and for prevention.

Heliotherapy is an almost obligatory component in any spa treatment scheme: two types of rays of the solar spectrum provide the most complete positive effect due to their diversity. The combination of this method of treatment and other methods of influence allows you to obtain the most pronounced positive results, eliminating the symptoms of many diseases.

About the benefits and harms of sunbathing, watch the video below:

Types of effects using heliotherapy

Sunlight is divided into two spectrums, which differ both in the type of impact and in the sensations that arise when using them. The division of solar rays into spectra is as follows:

• infrared radiation- a type of radiation that penetrates the skin and leads to dilation of blood vessels due to their significant expansion, which allows for a resolving effect on various tissues, eliminating manifestations of stagnation in tissues. With the help of infrared radiation there is a thermal effect that is felt by the skin;
• ultraviolet radiation, which is not felt by the skin and has a positive effect on all processes occurring both in the skin and in adjacent tissues. Under the influence, the skin cells actively produce melanin, which is responsible for the resulting tan and gives the skin an attractive golden hue. Having maximum biological activity, ultraviolet radiation quickly eliminates the symptoms of many organic lesions, reduces the severity of inflammatory processes and other pathological manifestations.

The combination of the two listed types of exposure to sunlight allows you to obtain the most pronounced positive results, reduce the severity of many diseases and carry out a preventive effect on the body.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of this method of physiotherapeutic influence should be considered the duration of maintaining a positive result and ease of use, which allows you to prescribe this means of healing and prevention as an adjuvant and as an independent method. Also, the advantages of heliotherapy include the possibility of its use by almost all categories of patients, a relatively small number of contraindications. The possibility of obtaining a positive result from sunlight, both from a natural source and from an artificial source in a medical center, can also be considered important.

The disadvantages include the need for increased care in use by people with fair skin, with increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Indications for the use of sunbathing

The use of this method of physiotherapeutic influence, such as heliotherapy, is indicated in the following cases:

• In the presence of dermatological lesions - long-term non-healing injuries, wounds, and skin lesions in the form of and, depriving scrofulous. Also such skin ailments:
• In case of poor functioning of the musculoskeletal system - disturbances in the condition of ligaments, muscles and tendons, negative changes in the cartilage tissue of the joints, bone tuberculosis;
• With lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
• For inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs.

The listed indications for the use of heliotherapy can be supplemented with metabolic disorders, negative changes in the condition of the skin (with increased fat content or), as well as preventive purposes to stimulate the functioning of the immune system.

Contraindications

The use of this method, due to its high degree of activity, also has a number of limitations for use, which should be taken into account when choosing a method of physiotherapeutic influence. The most important contraindications to the use of heliotherapy include diseases such as:

• oncological lesions,
• the presence of ongoing inflammatory processes of any localization in the acute stage,
• presence of autoimmune diseases ().

It is also not recommended to use this procedure for diseases of the hematopoietic system and endocrine lesions. Feverish conditions should also be considered a reason for the failure of heliotherapy due to the high activity of the procedure and the possibility of aggravating the manifestations of the current condition.

To obtain a pronounced positive effect when using heliotherapy, you should first undergo an examination and have an accurate diagnosis, which will allow the attending physician to draw up a treatment plan.

Monitoring the treatment will allow you to avoid the likely negative consequences of using this treatment method in the form of an increase in existing symptoms and a deterioration in general well-being.

Preparation for the procedure

Before sunbathing, you should remove clothing from the treated area of ​​skin, clean it and cover it with a special composition to prevent burns and overheating.

The video below will tell you how to take sunbathing for health benefits:

How it is carried out

The algorithm for performing heliotherapy is simple; it can be used both in natural sunbathing conditions and in specialized institutions offering physiotherapy services.

In specialized conditions

A method of influence such as heliotherapy is prescribed if the above indications are present and is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. However, knowledge of certain rules that allow you to increase the degree of effectiveness of the intervention makes it possible to prevent the worsening of the current disease and enhance the therapeutic effect. These include the following recommendations:

1. Exposure to direct sunlight should not exceed two hours to avoid overheating.
2. The time spent in the sun during the day should correspond to solar rhythms, when the sun is moderately active. This means that the most optimal time from the point of view of the effectiveness of the effect is the morning before 11 o'clock in the afternoon, when the sun's rays have not yet become too scorching, and after 16 o'clock - the sun then becomes soft again, does not have a sharp effect on the skin and is not capable of causing her .
3. When you are in the open sun, you should cover your head with a light hat: it is the head that receives the strongest exposure to the rays, which may result in drowsiness, etc.
4. The use of sunscreens will help avoid deterioration of the skin, which, with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, quickly ages, dries out excessively, etc.
5. After sunbathing, it is recommended to use moisturizers that help remove the negative effects of ultraviolet rays and maintain healthy skin.

The listed rules are easy to apply, allow you to achieve pronounced positive results and reduce the possible negative consequences of heliotherapy.

Features of application

The use of the considered method of physiotherapeutic method has a number of its own specific features that should be taken into account when prescribing and conducting heliotherapy. Before starting to use it, it is recommended to check the skin's reaction to the sun's rays, and the fact of the source of the sun's rays is not important - natural rays or those obtained using an artificial source.

To do this, it is necessary to briefly expose the skin to sunlight and monitor the reaction to them: if skin rashes appear, as well as severe redness, you should stop using this procedure. In case of minor negative manifestations when exposed to ultraviolet or ultraviolet radiation, you can reduce the intensity and duration of the exposure, and also be sure to use special protective drugs that allow you to use heliotherapy even with increased skin sensitivity.

Before use, the skin must be cleaned of contaminants in the form of dust, dirt, and cosmetic residues to obtain the maximum amount of ultraviolet radiation and a positive result from the exposure. If a limited area of ​​skin is exposed, it is left open and the skin is irradiated. When treating the entire surface of the skin, it is necessary to remove clothing and, after applying a special protective agent, irradiate the skin.

The duration of the effect may vary depending on the degree of damage and tolerability of heliotherapy. After the end of the exposure, you should rest for a while: it is preferable to remain in a horizontal position for 15-30 minutes, do not make sudden movements to avoid possible dizziness. It is recommended to treat the surface of the skin exposed to sunlight with a special product with a moisturizing effect to prevent possible dryness of the skin and reduce the risk of skin tightness, itching and burning.

Consequences and possible complications

The use of heliotherapy can contribute to the appearance of areas with hypersensitive skin when exposure to sunlight is exceeded. Strict adherence to the recommended dosage will allow you to get only positive results from this type of physiotherapeutic effect.

Recovery and care

After sunbathing, both locally and throughout the body, there is a possibility of areas with severe hyperemia appearing, and it is necessary to use products that soothe the skin and restore its natural state. You may also need anti-burn agents to reduce the negative effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays on the skin.

Also, to maintain the positive results of ultraviolet and infrared radiation for a longer period, it is recommended to use a course of vitamin therapy (especially vitamin E, which will restore the skin after exposure to sunlight), and moisturizers.