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Need a Wood Lamp Alternative? Grab Your Smartphone
Practice Gap
The Wood lamp commonly is used as a diagnostic tool for pigmentary skin conditions (eg, vitiligo) or skin conditions that exhibit fluorescence (eg, erythrasma).1 Recently, its diagnostic efficacy has extended to scabies, in which it unveils a distinctive wavy, bluish-white, linear fluorescence upon illumination.2
Functionally, the Wood lamp operates by subjecting phosphors to UV light within the wavelength range of 320 to 400 nm, inducing fluorescence in substances such as collagen and elastin. In the context of vitiligo, this process manifests as a preferential chalk white fluorescence in areas lacking melanin.1
Despite its demonstrated effectiveness, the Wood lamp is not without limitations. It comes with a notable financial investment ranging from $70 to $500, requires periodic maintenance such as light bulb replacements, and can be unwieldy.3 Furthermore, its reliance on a power source poses a challenge in settings where immediate access to convenient power outlets is limited, such as inpatient and rural dermatology clinics. These limitations underscore the need for alternative solutions and innovations to address challenges and ensure accessibility in diverse health care environments.
The Tools
Free smartphone applications (apps), such as Ultraviolet Light-UV Lamp by AppBrain or Blacklight UV Light Simulator by That Smile, can simulate UV light and functionally serve as a Wood lamp.
The Technique
UV light apps use LED or organic LED screen pixels to emit a blue light equivalent at 467 nm.4 Although these apps are not designed specifically for dermatologic uses, they are mostly free, widely available for Android and iPhone users, and portable. Importantly, they can demonstrate good performance in visualizing vitiligo, as shown in Figure 1—albeit perhaps not reaching the same level as the Wood lamp (Figure 2).
Because these UV light apps are not regulated and their efficacy for medical use has not been firmly established, the Wood lamp remains the gold standard. Therefore, we propose the use of UV light apps in situations when a Wood lamp is not available or convenient, such as in rural, inpatient, or international health care settings.
Practice Implications
Exploring and adopting these free alternatives can contribute to improved accessibility and diagnostic capabilities in diverse health care environments, particularly for communities facing financial constraints. Continued research and validation of these apps in clinical settings will be essential to establish their reliability and effectiveness in enhancing diagnostic practices.
- Dyer JM, Foy VM. Revealing the unseen: a review of Wood’s lamp in dermatology. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15:25-30.
- Scanni G. Facilitations in the clinical diagnosis of human scabies through the use of ultraviolet light (UV-scab scanning): a case-series study. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022;7:422. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7120422
- USA Medical and Surgical Supplies. Top 9 medical diagnostic applications for a Woods lamp. February 26, 2019. Accessed May 20, 2024.
- Huang Y, Hsiang E-L, Deng M-Y, et al. Mini-led, micro-led and OLED displays: present status and future perspectives. Light Sci Appl. 2020;9:105. doi:10.1038/s41377-020-0341-9
Practice Gap
The Wood lamp commonly is used as a diagnostic tool for pigmentary skin conditions (eg, vitiligo) or skin conditions that exhibit fluorescence (eg, erythrasma).1 Recently, its diagnostic efficacy has extended to scabies, in which it unveils a distinctive wavy, bluish-white, linear fluorescence upon illumination.2
Functionally, the Wood lamp operates by subjecting phosphors to UV light within the wavelength range of 320 to 400 nm, inducing fluorescence in substances such as collagen and elastin. In the context of vitiligo, this process manifests as a preferential chalk white fluorescence in areas lacking melanin.1
Despite its demonstrated effectiveness, the Wood lamp is not without limitations. It comes with a notable financial investment ranging from $70 to $500, requires periodic maintenance such as light bulb replacements, and can be unwieldy.3 Furthermore, its reliance on a power source poses a challenge in settings where immediate access to convenient power outlets is limited, such as inpatient and rural dermatology clinics. These limitations underscore the need for alternative solutions and innovations to address challenges and ensure accessibility in diverse health care environments.
The Tools
Free smartphone applications (apps), such as Ultraviolet Light-UV Lamp by AppBrain or Blacklight UV Light Simulator by That Smile, can simulate UV light and functionally serve as a Wood lamp.
The Technique
UV light apps use LED or organic LED screen pixels to emit a blue light equivalent at 467 nm.4 Although these apps are not designed specifically for dermatologic uses, they are mostly free, widely available for Android and iPhone users, and portable. Importantly, they can demonstrate good performance in visualizing vitiligo, as shown in Figure 1—albeit perhaps not reaching the same level as the Wood lamp (Figure 2).
Because these UV light apps are not regulated and their efficacy for medical use has not been firmly established, the Wood lamp remains the gold standard. Therefore, we propose the use of UV light apps in situations when a Wood lamp is not available or convenient, such as in rural, inpatient, or international health care settings.
Practice Implications
Exploring and adopting these free alternatives can contribute to improved accessibility and diagnostic capabilities in diverse health care environments, particularly for communities facing financial constraints. Continued research and validation of these apps in clinical settings will be essential to establish their reliability and effectiveness in enhancing diagnostic practices.
Practice Gap
The Wood lamp commonly is used as a diagnostic tool for pigmentary skin conditions (eg, vitiligo) or skin conditions that exhibit fluorescence (eg, erythrasma).1 Recently, its diagnostic efficacy has extended to scabies, in which it unveils a distinctive wavy, bluish-white, linear fluorescence upon illumination.2
Functionally, the Wood lamp operates by subjecting phosphors to UV light within the wavelength range of 320 to 400 nm, inducing fluorescence in substances such as collagen and elastin. In the context of vitiligo, this process manifests as a preferential chalk white fluorescence in areas lacking melanin.1
Despite its demonstrated effectiveness, the Wood lamp is not without limitations. It comes with a notable financial investment ranging from $70 to $500, requires periodic maintenance such as light bulb replacements, and can be unwieldy.3 Furthermore, its reliance on a power source poses a challenge in settings where immediate access to convenient power outlets is limited, such as inpatient and rural dermatology clinics. These limitations underscore the need for alternative solutions and innovations to address challenges and ensure accessibility in diverse health care environments.
The Tools
Free smartphone applications (apps), such as Ultraviolet Light-UV Lamp by AppBrain or Blacklight UV Light Simulator by That Smile, can simulate UV light and functionally serve as a Wood lamp.
The Technique
UV light apps use LED or organic LED screen pixels to emit a blue light equivalent at 467 nm.4 Although these apps are not designed specifically for dermatologic uses, they are mostly free, widely available for Android and iPhone users, and portable. Importantly, they can demonstrate good performance in visualizing vitiligo, as shown in Figure 1—albeit perhaps not reaching the same level as the Wood lamp (Figure 2).
Because these UV light apps are not regulated and their efficacy for medical use has not been firmly established, the Wood lamp remains the gold standard. Therefore, we propose the use of UV light apps in situations when a Wood lamp is not available or convenient, such as in rural, inpatient, or international health care settings.
Practice Implications
Exploring and adopting these free alternatives can contribute to improved accessibility and diagnostic capabilities in diverse health care environments, particularly for communities facing financial constraints. Continued research and validation of these apps in clinical settings will be essential to establish their reliability and effectiveness in enhancing diagnostic practices.
- Dyer JM, Foy VM. Revealing the unseen: a review of Wood’s lamp in dermatology. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15:25-30.
- Scanni G. Facilitations in the clinical diagnosis of human scabies through the use of ultraviolet light (UV-scab scanning): a case-series study. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022;7:422. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7120422
- USA Medical and Surgical Supplies. Top 9 medical diagnostic applications for a Woods lamp. February 26, 2019. Accessed May 20, 2024.
- Huang Y, Hsiang E-L, Deng M-Y, et al. Mini-led, micro-led and OLED displays: present status and future perspectives. Light Sci Appl. 2020;9:105. doi:10.1038/s41377-020-0341-9
- Dyer JM, Foy VM. Revealing the unseen: a review of Wood’s lamp in dermatology. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15:25-30.
- Scanni G. Facilitations in the clinical diagnosis of human scabies through the use of ultraviolet light (UV-scab scanning): a case-series study. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022;7:422. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7120422
- USA Medical and Surgical Supplies. Top 9 medical diagnostic applications for a Woods lamp. February 26, 2019. Accessed May 20, 2024.
- Huang Y, Hsiang E-L, Deng M-Y, et al. Mini-led, micro-led and OLED displays: present status and future perspectives. Light Sci Appl. 2020;9:105. doi:10.1038/s41377-020-0341-9
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Korman, MD</bylineFull> <bylineTitleText/> <USOrGlobal/> <wireDocType/> <newsDocType/> <journalDocType/> <linkLabel/> <pageRange>271-272</pageRange> <citation/> <quizID/> <indexIssueDate/> <itemClass qcode="ninat:text"/> <provider qcode="provider:"> <name/> <rightsInfo> <copyrightHolder> <name/> </copyrightHolder> <copyrightNotice/> </rightsInfo> </provider> <abstract/> <metaDescription>The Wood lamp commonly is used as a diagnostic tool for pigmentary skin conditions (eg, vitiligo) or skin conditions that exhibit fluorescence (eg, erythrasma).</metaDescription> <articlePDF>301784</articlePDF> <teaserImage/> <title>Need a Wood Lamp Alternative? Grab Your Smartphone</title> <deck/> <disclaimer/> <AuthorList/> <articleURL/> <doi/> <pubMedID/> <publishXMLStatus/> <publishXMLVersion>1</publishXMLVersion> <useEISSN>0</useEISSN> <urgency/> <pubPubdateYear>2024</pubPubdateYear> <pubPubdateMonth>June</pubPubdateMonth> <pubPubdateDay/> <pubVolume>113</pubVolume> <pubNumber>6</pubNumber> <wireChannels/> <primaryCMSID/> <CMSIDs> <CMSID>19497</CMSID> <CMSID>2159</CMSID> </CMSIDs> <keywords/> <seeAlsos/> <publications_g> <publicationData> <publicationCode>CT</publicationCode> <pubIssueName>June 2024</pubIssueName> <pubArticleType>Departments | 2159</pubArticleType> <pubTopics/> <pubCategories/> <pubSections> <pubSection>Practice Pearls | 19497<pubSubsection/></pubSection> </pubSections> <journalTitle>Cutis</journalTitle> <journalFullTitle>Cutis</journalFullTitle> <copyrightStatement>Copyright 2015 Frontline Medical Communications Inc., Parsippany, NJ, USA. All rights reserved.</copyrightStatement> </publicationData> </publications_g> <publications> <term canonical="true">12</term> </publications> <sections> <term canonical="true">39452</term> </sections> <topics> <term canonical="true">204</term> <term>276</term> <term>281</term> <term>66772</term> </topics> <links> <link> <itemClass qcode="ninat:composite"/> <altRep contenttype="application/pdf">images/1800274f.pdf</altRep> <description role="drol:caption"/> <description role="drol:credit"/> </link> </links> </header> <itemSet> <newsItem> <itemMeta> <itemRole>Main</itemRole> <itemClass>text</itemClass> <title>Need a Wood Lamp Alternative? Grab Your Smartphone</title> <deck/> </itemMeta> <itemContent> <p class="abstract">The Wood lamp is an effective diagnostic tool for skin conditions such as vitiligo, erythrasma, and scabies. However, it can be an expensive and cumbersome tool or may be unavailable in some settings. Smartphone applications that simulate UV light may be helpful in these instances.</p> <h3>Practice Gap</h3> <p>The Wood lamp commonly is used as a diagnostic tool for pigmentary skin conditions (eg, vitiligo) or skin conditions that exhibit fluorescence (eg, erythrasma).<sup>1</sup> Recently, its diagnostic efficacy has extended to scabies, in which it unveils a distinctive wavy, bluish-white, linear fluorescence upon illumination.<sup>2</sup> </p> <p>Functionally, the Wood lamp operates by subjecting phosphors to UV light within the wavelength range of 320 to 400 nm, inducing fluorescence in substances such as collagen and elastin. In the context of vitiligo, this process manifests as a preferential chalk white fluorescence in areas lacking melanin.<sup>1<br/><br/></sup>Despite its demonstrated effectiveness, the Wood lamp is not without limitations. It comes with a notable financial investment ranging from $70 to $500, requires periodic maintenance such as light bulb replacements, and can be unwieldy.<sup>3</sup> Furthermore, its reliance on a power source poses a challenge in settings where immediate access to convenient power outlets is limited, such as inpatient and rural dermatology clinics. These limitations underscore the need for alternative solutions and innovations to address challenges and ensure accessibility in diverse health care environments.</p> <h3>The Tools</h3> <p>Free smartphone applications (apps), such as Ultraviolet Light-UV Lamp by AppBrain or Blacklight UV Light Simulator by That Smile, can simulate UV light and functionally serve as a Wood lamp. </p> <h3>The Technique</h3> <p>UV light apps use LED or organic LED screen pixels to emit a blue light equivalent at 467 nm.<sup>4</sup> Although these apps are not designed specifically for dermatologic uses, they are mostly free, widely available for Android and iPhone users, and portable. Importantly, they can demonstrate good performance in visualizing vitiligo, as shown in Figure 1—albeit perhaps not reaching the same level as the Wood lamp (Figure 2). </p> <p>Because these UV light apps are not regulated and their efficacy for medical use has not been firmly established, the Wood lamp remains the gold standard. Therefore, we propose the use of UV light apps in situations when a Wood lamp is not available or convenient, such as in rural, inpatient, or international health care settings.</p> <h3>Practice Implications</h3> <p>Exploring and adopting these free alternatives can contribute to improved accessibility and diagnostic capabilities in diverse health care environments, particularly for communities facing financial constraints. Continued research and validation of these apps in clinical settings will be essential to establish their reliability and effectiveness in enhancing diagnostic practices.</p> <h2>References</h2> <p class="reference"> 1. Dyer JM, Foy VM. Revealing the unseen: a review of Wood’s lamp in dermatology. <i>J Clin Aesthet Dermatol</i>. 2022;15:25-30.<br/><br/> 2. Scanni G. Facilitations in the clinical diagnosis of human scabies through the use of ultraviolet light (UV-scab scanning): a case-series study. <i>Trop Med Infect Dis</i>. 2022;7:422. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7120422 <br/><br/> 3. USA Medical and Surgical Supplies. Top 9 medical diagnostic applications for a Woods lamp. February 26, 2019. Accessed May 20, 2024. <br/><br/> 4. Huang Y, Hsiang E-L, Deng M-Y, et al. Mini-led, micro-led and OLED displays: present status and future perspectives. <i>Light Sci Appl</i>. 2020;9:105. doi:10.1038/s41377-020-0341-9 </p> </itemContent> </newsItem> <newsItem> <itemMeta> <itemRole>bio</itemRole> <itemClass>text</itemClass> <title/> <deck/> </itemMeta> <itemContent> <p class="disclosure">Ruth Zagales is from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. Dr. Korman is from the Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus. </p> <p class="disclosure">The authors report no conflict of interest. <br/><br/>Correspondence: Abraham M. Korman, MD, 540 Office Center Pl, Ste 240, Columbus, OH 43230 (Abraham.Korman@osumc.edu). <br/><br/><em>Cutis.</em> 2024 June;113(6):271-272. doi:10.12788/cutis.1026</p> </itemContent> </newsItem> </itemSet></root>
