Can sunbathing through glass help reduce jaundice?

Jun 30, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

Recently, I went to the hospital for a checkup and found out that I have jaundice. May I ask, can getting sunlight through a glass window help reduce jaundice?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Exposing to sunlight through glass is not significantly effective for reducing jaundice, especially for patients with severe jaundice. On one hand, it is believed that exposing to sunlight through glass may offer some help in reducing jaundice. This is because, although glass can block part of the sunlight, the blue spectrum of sunlight can still pass through the glass and help break down bilirubin, thereby assisting in reducing jaundice to some extent. At the same time, the glass can also reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin. However, it should be noted that the effect of sunlight exposure through glass might be relatively weak, and the exposure time should not be too long in order to avoid skin damage. On the other hand, some believe that exposing to sunlight through glass cannot effectively reduce jaundice. This is because the blue light in sunlight is the key factor in reducing jaundice, and glass blocks most of the blue light, thus significantly reducing the effectiveness of sun exposure. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention and undergo professional treatment according to the guidance of a physician.