Wood's lamp

Wood's Lamp

A Wood's lamp is a diagnostic tool used in dermatology to detect certain skin conditions. It was invented by American physicist Robert W. Wood in 1903. The lamp emits ultraviolet (UV) light in the 365 nanometer range, and can highlight skin abnormalities that are not visible under normal light conditions.

History[edit | edit source]

The Wood's lamp was named after its inventor, Robert W. Wood, a prominent American physicist known for his work in optics. Wood developed the lamp in 1903, as part of his research into the fluorescence of certain substances when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Function[edit | edit source]

The Wood's lamp works by emitting ultraviolet light, which causes certain substances to fluoresce. When the skin is illuminated with this light, certain conditions and substances will glow under the UV light. This can help to identify skin conditions such as tinea versicolor, vitiligo, and erythrasma, among others.

Use in Dermatology[edit | edit source]

In dermatology, the Wood's lamp is used to diagnose a variety of skin conditions. The lamp can highlight changes in skin pigmentation, detect bacterial or fungal infections, and can even be used to determine the depth of a skin injury. The specific color of fluorescence can help to identify the type of skin condition present.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

While the Wood's lamp is a valuable tool in dermatology, it does have limitations. Not all skin conditions will fluoresce under UV light, and the lamp cannot be used to diagnose conditions that do not have a fluorescence response. Additionally, the effectiveness of the lamp can be affected by the presence of natural or artificial light.