Introducing Levia, our Latest Addition!
Introducing Levia, our Latest Addition!
Levia Personal Targeted Phototherapy Device
We are pleased to announce that Daavlin has been appointed by Lerner Medical Devices (LMD) to exclusively manufacture, sell and support their Levia Targeted Home Phototherapy Device.
Levia is a now a part of the Daavlin family of phototherapy products!
Daavlin has had a close relationship with the staff and management of Lerner Medical Devices (LMD) for many years. As LMD has grown, their primary focus has shifted to research and development rather than product management. Daavlin is pleased to have become their face to the world and we are equally pleased to welcome you as our customer.
Daavlin products are used daily in every state of the union and in over seventy countries around the world. The chances are good that our clinical products are even being used in your local dermatologist’s office!
The Levia Personal Targeted device is a perfect complement to our line of home units and will become part of a family of products used by patients in their homes for the treatment of skin disorders such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema. Our products range from small hand held devices to panel units to full-body devices. So whether you already have a Levia unit or are still looking for the best home phototherapy option for you, we are confident that we can meet your needs!
You may have questions such as “What phone number should I call?” or “What will happen to my warranty?”
We have a highly experienced customer service department to assist you. If you are in the process of purchasing a Levia, we will assign you a helpful and experienced representative who will personally handle your prescription and insurance processing from start to finish. And, to ensure that you feel comfortable with your new home unit, our resources include a dermatology nurse who can answer your questions and help you successfully use your device to achieve the best possible results. We are here to help you every step of the way!
Rest assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for all Levia customers. Your warranty will remain in effect and you will still be able to order shampoos and accessories. In addition to the telephone numbers and email addresses you have used in the past, the following numbers can now be used as well: (phone) 1-800-322-8546 and (fax) 1-419-636-7916.
Please explore our website or email us at phototherapy@daavlin.com or service@daavlin.com. For your convenience, our telephone lines and online “chat” are manned until 8:00 pm Eastern time, Monday through Thursday, and until 5:00pm EST on Fridays. We look forward to serving you!
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Could Long-term Topical Steroid Use Cause Diabetes?
A recent dutch study of 2.5 million patients showed several possible connections between topical steroid use and diabetes.
Depending on cumulative steroid dose and cumulative treatment time, an increased risk of diabetes between 24 and 44% was noted.
The authors concluded that “An increased risk of new-onset diabetes may be an important consideration in the treatment of patients with topical corticosteroids, especially when intense skin treatment is needed.”
van der Linden MW, et al. Topical corticosteroids and the risk of diabetes mellitus: a nested case-control study in the Netherlands.Drug Saf. 2009;32(6):527-37. doi: 10.2165/00002018-200932060-00008.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Diabetes, Steroids, Topical Steroids | Leave a commentPhototherapy – No Weigh!
Biologic drugs for treatment of psoriasis can lead to weight gain, it’s true! But now we also know that using phototherapy doesn’t cause any weight gain at all! Just one more of the many advantages that light therapy can offer patients that biologic drugs cannot!
A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology confirms the benefits of Narrowband UVB phototherapy in psorasis treatment, and also shows that patients treated did not gain body fat. This is in stark contrast with recent publications showing weight gain with biologic (Anti-TNF) therapy.
Romaní J. et al. Effect of narrowband ultraviolet B therapy on inflammatory markers and body fat composition in moderate to severe psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2012 Jun;166(6):1237-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10883.x.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Biologic Drugs, Phototherapy, Weight Gain | Leave a commentAlternatives For Psoriasis Treatment
All Daavlin’s team members are important. Bob Golding has a special role here that is vital to our company.
He is our Director of Research and Development. He keeps up on emerging technology and how it helps Daavlin have a positive impact on treatment.
Only 29 days from today is the start of the AAD Conference! Is “Alternatives for Psoriasis Treatment in a World of Biologics #F010″ on your agenda? Bob will be available at the Daavlin exhibit booth to discuss the safety and efficacy of phototherapy as compared to biologics. Join him with your questions and comments. Booth #937
The Difference Between Good and Great
Not everyone has easy access to dermatologists. In some states reports are trying to discover if there are too many. There are 11 listed for Wyoming, 427 here in Daavlin’s home state of Ohio and 1800 in California. You can be the judge.
No matter if your options are limited or there’s one on every corner you have to find a doctor you like. Respect. Listen to. An excellent doctor-patient relationship is key to ensuring success with treatment.
Adjusting to a chronic disease is hard. A top-notch dermatology practice understands you have to completely accept that chronic is forever. That there is no cure (at the moment anyway) and your life will change in ways you can’t imagine.
Good dermatologists have a well-trained staff. Great dermatologists have a continually trained staff. Staying on top of constantly evolving news and research breakthroughs mean better patient care.
The best doctors have empathy for their patients. They figure out solutions like how to work around treatment when work requires travel. They realize how much is on the line when a psoriatic teen goes to the beach on vacation or a little boy can’t stop itching in class.
Best practices require certain technical and operational skills. That means nothing unless the humans who use those skills do it with kindness and compassion. It’s the least you deserve!
The Worst Pain Of All
There cannot be anything more painful than watching a teenager with psoriasis cover himself up completely before heading out to the pool. Unless it’s seeing a child with a flare up being banned from a play area. Maybe it’s an adult who wears sunglasses all the time as a way of pretending she doesn’t see people stare at her.
Uninformed people can be so cruel.
This is the toughest part of dealing with psoriasis or vitiligo or scleroderma! Fact sheets and booklets are great resources but you can’t hand them out to random strangers. (Well you can but you probably won’t.)
The goal is to talk about this before going away. If your child wants to stay covered up let
her! Make sure there are other activities less “revealing”.
Psoriasis is a new diagnosis for 20,000+ kids under the age of ten every year. Send information ahead of time to wherever you’re staying. Resort, pool and other staff should be aware of how many children are affected. They are the ones who can run interference before your little one even knows someone has noticed.
Adults? Be kind to yourself. You didn’t ask for psoriasis so don’t think you have to answer for it.
Treat Yourself!
Yes, life is what happens while you’re making other plans. How do you manage to keep your treatment regimen if you’re out of town? Whether you’re on vacation or travel for business ignoring psoriasis is probably not the best plan.
On the other hand you can’t stay at home permanently especially if you need to put food on the table.
Phototherapy isn’t just for dermatology offices. There are portable home units your doctor can prescribe to remove that concern.
Daavlin’s Dermapal has its own case and fits right in a small carry on size suitcase. It’s great for scalp or small area treatment. The 1 Series unit can also fit in a carry on suitcase. Our staff have traveled with it and taken it right through security. It has a larger area for larger area treatment.
Either way your physician will write a prescription and give you the plan so you know the regimen before you use it.
These units aren’t for everyone. We wish they were. But for the people who have the opportunity to use them it makes their lives so much easier and private.
Want to know more especially how insurance may reimburse you? Contact one of our home product specialists today.
Getting There Is Half The Fun?
It’s no problem going on vacation when you have psoriasis!
If only.
Just read the news or talk to friends and you’ll probably hear the horror stories about being covered up the entire time or a child being refused access to a public pool. Sigh.
There are three separate things to consider when going on a vacation or any traveling.
- First, vacations are stressful – at least the getting ready part. Packing, arranging for pet care, getting work done ahead of time, overexcited kids. It’s enough to send anyone over the edge. But you sure don’t want flare-ups.
- Second how do you arrange to manage treatments if you can’t get them all done ahead of time? You can’t really change the times or number of days and you sure don’t want to stop before you’re supposed too.
- Third what do you do if you or a family member has an outbreak that can’t be managed ahead of time? Life is what happens when we’re making other plans so it’s best to prepare for the worst while expecting the best.
The first situation can be managed by planning ahead. Schedule the kennel. Do a little extra work several weeks in advance so it’s not all there right before you leave (we know that’s not always possible). Worried you’ll forget to pack something? Really how bad can it be to wash out a few things in the sink or have to buy toothpaste? Finally expect children to be a little crazy. They can’t help themselves.
Managing treatments is next.
The Year Ahead
It’s always exciting to look forward to a new year! Something about starting over, a clean slate, a new beginning.
We feel the same way. Some very exciting things are happening here! We’re rebranding ourselves a bit, but a lot will stay the same. An unrelenting commitment to customer service. The huge focus on research and development. Ongoing outreach to physicians and insurance companies.
We are revved up about 2012! We hope you are too. After all, you’re the only reason we do it.
Winter Weather And Eczema
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is an allergic disease believed to be hereditary and often runs in families whose members also have asthma.
An itchy rash is particularly noticeable on head and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees and buttocks. It is very common in developed countries and is on the rise.
The low humidity of winter along with the resulting overheated indoor areas and long or hot baths and showers creates all the right conditions for flareups or increased aggravation.
There’s no cure for eczema although phototherapy is quoted over and over as a safe, effective, reasonable treatment.
In one German study phototherapy was found to be effective in 80% for cases of severe atopic dermatitis and extremely safe for pregnant women, children and the elderly. It is also excellent in preventing commonly occurring bacterial infections. Finally it may reduce your reliance on topical treatments.
There are potential downsides to phototherapy for some eczema sufferers. Check with your doctor to see if phototherapy is right for you!
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