Fluorescent wood lamp. Diagnostics using a wood lamp

A diagnostic examination is the first thing a patient encounters in any pathological condition. Staging depends on diagnosis correct diagnosis, choice of treatment method, its effectiveness. It also plays an important role in dermatology.

Wood's lamp - what is it?

At the beginning of the last century (1903) in Baltimore, physicist Robert Wood invented a device that began to be called by his name - blacklight lamp wood. Since then, the device has been used in diagnostics. skin diseases in dermatology and cosmetology. A Wood's lamp is a lamp based on the emission of “black light”. The radiation source is an ultraviolet lamp with long-wave radiation.

Modern apparatus has undergone significant changes compared to the first samples. It is made on the same principle as a fluorescent lamp, but for a black light lamp they use glass with the addition of nickel and cobalt oxides (uviolet glass). Wood's glass is very dark and almost does not allow ordinary light to pass through. To obtain an emission peak in the range of up to 371 or 353 nm, a phosphor (strontium, boron, or barium silicate doped with lead) is used.

Wood's lamp diagnostics

The principle of using the device for diagnostics is that ultraviolet waves, when they hit the affected areas of the skin containing fungal molecules and toxic microelements, cause intense illumination different colors. The glow of the lamp itself is not visible to the naked eye; it shines in a dark purple color. The examination takes little time; a fluorescent lamp helps to identify the affected areas.

Wood's lamp diagnostics are carried out as follows:

• the skin is thoroughly cleaned in advance of any residues of cosmetics, ointments, etc.;
• immediately before the procedure, the skin should not be washed or wiped;
• The patient's eyes are covered with a cloth bandage / special glasses;
• the device is placed at a distance of 20 cm from the surface;
• Luminescent diagnostics are carried out in less than a minute in complete darkness.

A black light lamp helps to determine skin lesions not only on its smooth areas, but also under the hair, nails, and mucous membranes. Dermatology and cosmetology use a lamp to identify and determine diseases such as fungal infections, favus, lupus, dermatosis, candidiasis, some oncological neoplasms and others. The only contraindication for diagnostics is indicated in the manufacturer's instructions by the presence on the skin. fresh wounds, open damage.

Wood's lamp in dermatology - glow colors

The Wood's lamp provides invaluable assistance in diagnosis in dermatology. She colors the skin different colors. A fluorescent black lamp is capable of emitting ultraviolet rays with a narrow focus. A special color table allows a dermatologist to determine the infection of a particular affected area of ​​the skin; it is a list of diseases and a list of colors when glowing. Here are some of the diseases and the colors of the glow:

• microsporia – yellow-green or emerald color;
• versicolor - dull yellow glow;
• fungal disease – green light;
• deficiency of melanin in the skin – brown;
• pityriasis versicolor – yellow, brown;
• red lichen planus– glow with a brownish-yellow reflection;
• leukoplakia – green light;
• acne– orange-red glow;
• oncology – red light;
• no infection, healthy skin covering– blue glow, sapphire color.

The list goes on, and for any disease, the device will allow you to make a timely diagnosis and begin treatment, be it a hyperpigmented or hypopigmented area of ​​skin that requires close attention and constant monitoring. The device is small, so it is easy to use at home, in a clinic, or in a dispensary.

How to make a Wood's lamp at home

A lamp for detecting lichen is needed at home if you have Small child, Pets. The Wood's lamp is made by hand to avoid unnecessary expenses. This model is cheaper than factory ones and will not cost much, but remember that some types of lichen do not glow. With the device, you will be able to monitor how lichen is being treated and diagnose the disease yourself. It will not look much like a photo of a professional camera, but with simple tasks will handle it. Necessary:

• buy a black ultraviolet fluorescent light bulb;
• as a body you can take the simplest lamp for daylight;
• To prevent the light from shining into your eyes, build a canopy out of foil or purchase a protective screen;
• At the same time, buy glasses, you can take a model for dentists or for a quartz lamp.

Wood's lamp diagnostics(luminescent diagnostics, lumdiagnosis) is a simple, fast, inexpensive and painless way to detect the presence of fungal diseases and dermatoses. At the Novosibirsk veterinary clinic "Best", examination with a Wood's lamp is a mandatory procedure when passing veterinary control, as well as for obtaining permission to transport an animal.

The principle of luminescent diagnostics

The method is based on the phenomenon of fluorescence of certain substances, which give a characteristic glow under the influence of ultraviolet waves of a certain spectrum (365 nm). To obtain beams of this length, glass treated with a special phosphor (Wood glass) is used.

The examination is carried out in a darkened room. Fluorescent diagnostics skin lesions should be carried out before any skin treatments are started to avoid false positive and false negative results. Before conducting the study, the lamp must be warmed up for 3-5 minutes. Affected hair gives an emerald glow. The glow of the hair shaft is taken into account, not the skin and crusts. Particular attention must be paid to examining ears, muzzle, forelimbs - areas of animal interaction.

In ophthalmology this method is implemented through the use of a cobalt filter to visualize hidden lesions of the cornea and during otoscopy after applying fluorescein dye.

In what cases is fluorescent diagnostics used?

• preventive examination of animals without clinical signs dermatophytosis;
• animals whose owners showed signs of dermatophytosis;
• animals with areas of alopecia (baldness) of unknown origin;
• preventive examination in places where animals gather in large numbers - shelters, nurseries.
• to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in animals with positive reaction on a Wood's lamp.

Advantages of lumen diagnostics

An accessible and easy-to-use express method for diagnosing dermatophytoses allows one to identify animals with microsporia directly during an outpatient appointment and effectively monitor the course of the disease.

Disadvantages of lumen diagnostics

• glow is observed only in 50% of cases of microsporia and is not observed in trichophytosis;
• Both false-positive and false-negative results are possible, so it is necessary to carry out additional microscopic examination affected hair. IN in doubtful cases It is recommended to inoculate on fungal media.

Prices, rub.

The price does not include Supplies And additional work

Question: What tests does a cat need to undergo before sterilization?

Hello! Tests are advisable, but are done at the discretion of the owner. Cost of biochemical and general analysis about 2100 rubles. Ultrasound of the heart – 1700 rubles. The operation is performed by two methods - abdominal (5500 rubles) and endoscopic (7500 rubles). In both cases, both the uterus and ovaries are removed, but endoscopic surgery less traumatic.

Question: my cat has bloody stool, what could be the reason?

Wood's lamp for daylight diagnostics

Ultraviolet device for diagnosing microsporia ( ringworm). Two mercury-quartz lamps are used as a source of ultraviolet light. mounted in a shockproof housing. The operating wavelength of radiation is 365 nm. Built-in magnifying glass with 2x magnification. allows you to view the details of the object under study with magnification. The design provides shielding of the object under study, which makes it possible to conduct observations in darkened rooms and diagnose microsporia even on black wool. The research is safe for the eyes of personnel. UV irradiation of the controlled surface is not less than 5 mW/cm2. Overall dimensions 160x200x50 mm. The total power of the lamps is 18 W. Power supply 220V/50Hz

Price: 12,750 rub.

Wood's lamp for diagnostics in a dark room— 2500 rub.

Wood's lamp is designed for fluorescent analysis in the diagnosis of microsporins, microtoxins, and fungal infections of grain crops.

Diagnostic fluorescent lamps (Wood lamp) are used in the field of dermatovenerology, veterinary medicine, sanitary and veterinary examination. The source of ultraviolet light is a mercury-quartz arc lamp high pressure black color.

Wood lamp specifications:

Working waves of ultraviolet light: 340-380 nm;

Power supply 220V;

Lamp power – 9W;

Weight - no more than 0.5 kg with dimensions 400x70x50.

Wood's lamp with magnifying lens, plastic housing

Two mercury-quartz lamps with a total power of 18 W are used as a source of ultraviolet light, mounted in a durable housing that provides observation of induced luminescence through a built-in Fresnel lens, which protects the operator’s eyes from harmful effects ultraviolet.

The ultraviolet radiation of the lamps is projected onto the object under study through a black UV filter having a maximum transmission in the region of 365 nm.

The built-in lens allows you to view the details of the area under study with double magnification and more reliably carry out fluorescent diagnostics.

Wood's lamp was named after its creator, the American physicist R. Wood, who studied optical filters. Today, this device is used in many areas. Forensic experts use it to detect traces of blood, urine, semen or saliva. In addition, it is used to establish the authenticity of banknotes and identify various dyes. However greatest effect This device is useful in dermatology and cosmetology, as it serves as a way to diagnose many skin diseases. Before using a Wood's lamp to diagnose skin diseases, it is necessary to prepare the patient for this procedure. His skin should be thoroughly cleaned, and his eyes should be protected with special glasses to prevent ultraviolet rays from entering them. After this, the device must be turned on and directed to the examination area at a distance of 15-20 cm from the surface of the skin.

In this case, depending on the type of glow, the following pathologies are determined:

Green - fungal infection

Brown - pigmentation disorder

White - inflammatory process

Purple - sensitive skin

Turquoise - dry skin

Light blue - healthy skin, absence of defeat

It should be noted that the examination time should not exceed 2 minutes, since prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation emitted by a Wood's lamp on the skin leads to the formation age spots and increased sensitivity.

Characteristics (Name) Parameter

• Operating wavelength, nm365
• Power supply from AC mains, V/Hz 220/50
• Total lamp power, W 18
• Magnifying glass magnification, 2x
• Overall dimensions, mm 160x200x50
• Lamp weight, kg 0.75
• Power supply weight, kg 1.5
• Average service life, at least 5 years
• Weight, kg 1.0

Price on request

Luminescent diagnostics of fungal infections is used in veterinary practice relatively long ago. Already in the mid-80s, the Wood filter was adopted, which was successfully used in the work of regional veterinary stations and village veterinary hospitals.

The device itself was constantly improved, but the presence of the Wood filter in it remained unchanged. This device is well known to practitioners veterinarians, because, on the one hand, it is simple, and on the other, it allows you to significantly simplify the diagnosis of skin diseases.

And today this method is widely used, since, at the request of the Veterinary Administration, every animal taken into veterinary clinic, should be examined for preventive and (or) therapeutic purposes.

Due to the widespread prevalence of skin diseases in domestic animals and people (many of them are zooanthropanoses), high-quality diagnostics is especially relevant.

The most dangerous and virulent for humans are fungi of the genus Microsporum. Laboratory diagnostics diseases caused by these pathogens requires a fairly long time to reach a conclusion based on the results bacterial culture pathological material on a nutrient medium (10-14, and in in some cases- 30 days). Therefore, a method for rapid diagnosis of this pathology is urgently needed. This is fluorescent diagnostics using a device equipped with a special ultraviolet lamp and Wood filter.

In animals, hair infected with the Microsporum fungus gives a characteristic emerald green glow when examined in a dark room with a Wood's lamp. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor can immediately warn the animal owner about the danger of the disease to humans and give recommendations for treatment and care. In this case, the biomaterial will be taken for laboratory research specifically from the affected areas, which give a specific glow, which facilitates the work of laboratory technicians, and most importantly, sharply reduces the likelihood of error. However, when diagnosing mycoses using a Wood's lamp, the following must be taken into account:
- diagnostics should be carried out in a completely darkened room;
- in animals with a black color, when infected with the Microsporum fungus, the glow may not be observed;
- hair infected with the fungi Trichophyton, Candida, Malassezia does not give a characteristic glow, therefore, based on luminescent diagnostics, mycosis cannot be denied. In this case it is necessary laboratory test with collection of biomaterial;
- since in incubation period the glow may not be observed, it is necessary to repeat the examination after 10-14 days;
- the animal should not be treated externally with medicinal or cosmetics, since they can give a false positive glow, for example, tetracycline ointment.

This device is used in many areas, from forensics to the art of hidden drawings. UV radiation helps diagnose many skin diseases, fungal and bacterial infections, identify counterfeit bills and find organic traces at the crime scene. Read below about the benefits a Wood's lamp can bring to your household.

This is the name of a lamp whose glow is in the ultraviolet range, its light is faintly distinguishable, but organic substances, waste products of certain types of microbes and fungi begin to glow brightly in its light, the color of the glow varies from fungal disease or, let's say, staphylococcus will be different.

The discovery of glass that transmits only ultraviolet rays (Wood’s glass) belongs to the American physicist Robert Williams Wood. He conducted research on the properties of infrared and ultraviolet radiation, created optics that allow you to take pictures in this part of the spectrum. Wood took the first photographs of the moon in ultraviolet light.

This happened at the very beginning of the last century.

Where is Wood's lamp used?

• Forensics– “black lamp” allows you to find out a lot, for example, when examining a crime scene. The slightest spots are visible in ultraviolet light physiological secretions: blood, urine, semen, saliva - they fluoresce intensely in a dark room when examined using UV radiation.

• Determining the authenticity of documents and bank notes. There are special marks on documents and banknotes that appear in ultraviolet light and serve as protection against counterfeiting.
• Beauty Salons, use this device to determine skin type, inflammatory processes and availability skin infections from their clients, based on this data they prescribe medicinal or caring cosmetics.

• Entertainment industry– ultraviolet scanning reveals tags that are used instead of tickets in nightclubs, discos, and music festivals. In ultraviolet light, they glow brightly: patterns applied with special paints to skin or clothing that are not noticeable when sunlight, decorative fluorescent cosmetics and jewelry.

Wood's lamp or traditional tests?

For traditional analyzes it is necessary medical equipment, experienced laboratory assistants, expensive drugs and most importantly: it takes a certain amount of time, which varies depending on the disease, from a day to a month.

Experienced doctor with a Wood's lamp will make a diagnosis in a few minutes, because the causative agents of infection and their waste products, even at the earliest stages, will glow brightly in ultraviolet rays, and by the shade you can accurately determine what the patient is sick with.

How can a Wood's lamp be useful in everyday life?

This device can bring considerable benefits at home. For example: if you have a cat that sometimes marks, and you cannot always determine the source of the smell, then using this device you will easily find all the “surprises”. or any other object will glow yellow or greenish.

Remove stains and bad smell The advice of the authors of the website “Modern Housekeeping” will help you in the articles: “The cat marked the slippers?” And How ".

During inspection of surfaces, many invisible stains may appear. Let's say stain removers: they also glow, but have a more purple hue than organics. Once the marks are detected, it will not be difficult to wash them off with any preparation with enzymes. You can also easily find traces of other organic contaminants in any corner of the house.

Using such a device, you can check at home the authenticity of banknotes and documents that use fluorescent security marks.

Hand Made artists use this device to create hidden designs and fluorescent decorations.

At home, you are on your own early stage You can find out about the onset of diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. Of course final diagnosis and treatment should be prescribed by the attending physician. But instead of expensive analysis, which does not always give positive result at the beginning of the disease (exactly when treatment is most effective), you can use a “black light lamp” and learn everything about the condition of your skin, the skin of your loved ones and pets.

Normal skin when examined with a Wood's lamp, it will glow light blue; a brighter blue glow may indicate that the skin is overdried and requires additional care. Inflamed areas will glow white, and sensitive skin will glow purple. Oily skin will give a yellow halo.

How to use a Wood's lamp?

1. The examination is carried out in dark room no windows.
2. Everyone in the room wears special protective glasses, which can be purchased complete with the lamp.
3. Do not apply any substances to the patient’s skin during the day before the test. medical supplies. Ointments, creams and other pharmacological and cosmetic products have their own glow and can distort clinical picture.
4. There is no need to wash or disinfect the affected area before the examination.
5. Before starting diagnostics, warm up the device for at least a minute.
6. They affect the skin and mucous membranes from a distance of 8-15 cm.

Wood lamp buy

You can purchase such a lamp at an electrical goods store, or order it specifically online on the clinical equipment website. The medical device is equipped with a reflector and a magnifying glass, for more precise research affected areas of the dermis, sometimes glasses and a black case are included.

“Black light lamps” are produced in Russia: NPO LIT (Moscow), LLC VNISI (Moscow). OJSC Lisma-VNIIIIS (Saransk), OJSC SKB Ksenon (Zelenograd). Foreign manufacturers: (Philips, Radium, LightTech, Sylvania, Osram, etc.) The cost varies depending on the manufacturer and configuration from 25 before 65 $.