Psoriasis dead sea salts. Unlocking the Benefits of Dead Sea Salt for Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Guide
Discover the potential benefits of Dead Sea salt for managing psoriasis symptoms. Explore the risks, proper usage, and accessibility of this alternative treatment. Get the facts to make an informed decision about incorporating Dead Sea salt into your psoriasis care routine.
The Therapeutic Powers of Dead Sea Salt
Psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder, causes the rapid growth of skin cells, leading to the formation of thick, scaly plaques. While there is currently no cure for this chronic condition, some individuals have found relief in using Dead Sea salt as an alternative treatment. The Dead Sea, situated between Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, is renowned for its high salt concentration of 34.8%, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. This unique salt is rich in a variety of beneficial minerals, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulfur, iodine, and bromine.
Exploring the Evidence: Dead Sea Salt and Psoriasis
Several studies have investigated the potential benefits of Dead Sea salt for treating psoriasis symptoms. In one older study, participants bathed one of their arms affected by psoriasis in a 5% Dead Sea salt solution for 15 minutes per session over a 6-week period, while the other arm was bathed in tap water for comparison. The arms submerged in the Dead Sea salt water showed improved skin hydration and reduced roughness and redness after the 6-week period. This may be attributed to the magnesium salts in the Dead Sea salt enhancing the skin’s ability to bind water.
Another older study from 2001 evaluated the effectiveness of Dead Sea salt baths compared to common table salt baths over 3 weeks to treat psoriasis flares. The results indicated a greater reduction in symptoms for the group treated with Dead Sea salt baths than those who bathed with regular table salt.
Comparing Dead Sea Salt and Epsom Salt
Epsom salt, which contains magnesium sulfate, is another popular home remedy for various ailments, including psoriasis. However, the evidence suggests that the magnesium in Epsom salt may not be as easily absorbed by the skin as the minerals found in Dead Sea salt. A 2017 review examined studies on both Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt, and while one study found that Epsom salt could increase blood magnesium levels, this finding was not published in a scientific journal.
In contrast, another study mentioned in the review found that participants with psoriasis who bathed daily in the Dead Sea over 4 weeks experienced increased levels of electrolytes and magnesium in their blood, suggesting that the minerals in Dead Sea salt were able to penetrate the skin more effectively.
Using Dead Sea Salt for Psoriasis: Risks and Recommendations
Using Dead Sea salt for psoriasis is generally considered a low-risk approach. It can be beneficial for washing hair, cleansing the face, and soaking fingers or toenails to alleviate fungal infections. However, it is important to note that Dead Sea salt is not intended for oral consumption, as the high mineral content can give it a bitter taste.
When incorporating Dead Sea salt into your psoriasis treatment, it’s best to start with a small test patch to ensure your skin doesn’t have an allergic reaction. Begin by mixing one teaspoon of Dead Sea salt with warm water and applying it to a small area before proceeding with a full bath. If no adverse reaction occurs, you can gradually increase the amount of salt used in your bath, starting with half a cup and adjusting as needed based on the response of your psoriasis symptoms.
Sourcing Authentic Dead Sea Salt
Dead Sea salt is widely available for purchase online and in local retail stores, ranging from 1-pound packages to larger 50-pound quantities. It is important to note that Dead Sea salt looks similar to table salt, so some retailers offer certificates of authenticity to confirm that the salt was sourced from the Dead Sea region. This is crucial, as it is not possible to replicate the unique mineral composition of Dead Sea salt at home.
When shopping for Dead Sea salt, look for it at local pharmacies, stores that specialize in bath products, and online retailers. Prioritize products that come with a certificate of authenticity to ensure you are getting the genuine article from the Dead Sea region.
Incorporating Dead Sea Salt into Your Psoriasis Regimen
Psoriasis is a chronic condition, and while medical treatments are available, some individuals may experience undesirable side effects. Dead Sea salt presents an alternative approach that may help alleviate symptoms, such as moisturizing the skin and removing plaques.
While some people travel to the Dead Sea itself to experience the benefits of the mineral-rich waters, others choose to incorporate Dead Sea salt into their at-home psoriasis care routine. With its accessibility and potential therapeutic properties, Dead Sea salt is a worthwhile addition to consider for managing the challenges of living with psoriasis.
Dead Sea salt for psoriasis: Benefits, risks, and more
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to grow quickly. Dead Sea salt is an alternative treatment for psoriasis flares.
Psoriasis causes thick layers of plaques on the skin that may be itchy or painful. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but some people use Dead Sea salt to reduce symptoms. Salt from the Dead Sea has high concentrations of magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
This article will examine Dead Sea salt’s effectiveness as a treatment for psoriasis, how it differs from Epsom salt, and how to use it.
The Dead Sea sits between Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. It has a salt content of 34.8%, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. It is also rich in other minerals, including:
- magnesium
- potassium
- calcium
- sulfur
- iodine
- bromine
Some beauty and health products contain Dead Sea salt, including products for psoriasis and other skin treatments.
In an older study, participants each bathed one of their arms with psoriasis symptoms in a solution containing 5% Dead Sea salt for 15 minutes at a time over 6 weeks. They bathed the other arm in tap water during the same period for comparison.
The arms submerged in Dead Sea salt water showed improved skin hydration and reduced roughness and redness after 6 weeks. This may be due to the magnesium salts enhancing the binding of water into the skin.
Another older study from 2001 evaluated the effectiveness of Dead Sea salt baths compared with common table salt baths over 3 weeks to treat psoriasis flares.
There was a greater reduction in symptoms for the group treated with Dead Sea salt baths than those bathing with common table salt.
Epsom salt is a popular home remedy for sore muscles and aching joints. Some people also use it as a treatment for psoriasis. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, which can also hydrate the layers of the skin.
However, there is a lack of evidence that the magnesium in Epsom salt can penetrate the skin and provide the same benefit as Dead Sea salt.
A 2017 review examined Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt studies to see if the magnesium present could penetrate the skin. The review found one study where Epsom salt could increase blood magnesium levels, but this was not published in a scientific journal.
Another study mentioned in the review asked participants with psoriasis to bathe daily in the Dead Sea over 4 weeks. Blood tests revealed increased levels of electrolytes and magnesium, suggesting that the Dead Sea salt minerals were able to penetrate the skin.
Learn more about Epsom salt here.
There is low risk when using Dead Sea salt for treating psoriasis. It is also useful for washing hair, cleansing the face, and soaking fingers or toenails to alleviate fungus.
It is not for oral consumption, as the minerals and magnesium give Dead Sea salt a bitter taste. Product manufacturers typically remove the elements that cause a bitter taste when using Dead Sea salt in foods.
Dead Sea salt for psoriasis is easy to use. It is available at many shops or through the internet. However, it may take some experimentation to determine the amount to use, as psoriasis affects people differently.
It is safest first to test how the skin reacts to Dead Sea salt. Mix one teaspoon of Dead Sea salt with warm water and apply to a small patch of skin before soaking in a bath. If there is an allergic reaction, do not proceed with a bath.
Begin with half a cup of Dead Sea salt in a full bath and soak for 15–20 minutes. If psoriasis scales do not loosen or respond with reduced itching, add Dead Sea salt in quarter-cup increments for each bath.
Dead Sea salt is widely available on the internet through major retailers and independent shops. It is also available locally at many retail chains and pharmacies.
It comes in amounts ranging from 1 pound to over 50 pounds.
Dead Sea salt looks similar to table salt. For this reason, some retailers offer a certificate of authenticity that confirms it is from the Dead Sea region.
It is not possible to make Dead Sea salt at home because of the specific chemical makeup of minerals in the Dead Sea.
Look for Dead Sea salt at local pharmacies or stores that supply bath soaps and salts. It is also available online. Certificates of authenticity are available from some retailers to prove that the salt came from the Dead Sea region.
Psoriasis is a chronic disorder that causes the overproduction of skin cells, which form scaly plaques. There are medical treatments for psoriasis, but some people experience uncomfortable side effects.
Alternative treatments to psoriasis include Dead Sea salt, which may moisturize the skin and remove plaques.
Some people travel to the Dead Sea to experience the effects of mineral waters, but others purchase Dead Sea salt for use at home. Dead Sea salt is available online or at local pharmacies or bath and beauty retailers.
Soaking in a Dead Sea salt bath solution at regular intervals over several weeks could help treat psoriasis.
Dead Sea salt for psoriasis: Benefits, risks, and more
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to grow quickly. Dead Sea salt is an alternative treatment for psoriasis flares.
Psoriasis causes thick layers of plaques on the skin that may be itchy or painful. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but some people use Dead Sea salt to reduce symptoms. Salt from the Dead Sea has high concentrations of magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
This article will examine Dead Sea salt’s effectiveness as a treatment for psoriasis, how it differs from Epsom salt, and how to use it.
The Dead Sea sits between Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. It has a salt content of 34.8%, making it one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. It is also rich in other minerals, including:
- magnesium
- potassium
- calcium
- sulfur
- iodine
- bromine
Some beauty and health products contain Dead Sea salt, including products for psoriasis and other skin treatments.
In an older study, participants each bathed one of their arms with psoriasis symptoms in a solution containing 5% Dead Sea salt for 15 minutes at a time over 6 weeks. They bathed the other arm in tap water during the same period for comparison.
The arms submerged in Dead Sea salt water showed improved skin hydration and reduced roughness and redness after 6 weeks. This may be due to the magnesium salts enhancing the binding of water into the skin.
Another older study from 2001 evaluated the effectiveness of Dead Sea salt baths compared with common table salt baths over 3 weeks to treat psoriasis flares.
There was a greater reduction in symptoms for the group treated with Dead Sea salt baths than those bathing with common table salt.
Epsom salt is a popular home remedy for sore muscles and aching joints. Some people also use it as a treatment for psoriasis. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, which can also hydrate the layers of the skin.
However, there is a lack of evidence that the magnesium in Epsom salt can penetrate the skin and provide the same benefit as Dead Sea salt.
A 2017 review examined Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt studies to see if the magnesium present could penetrate the skin. The review found one study where Epsom salt could increase blood magnesium levels, but this was not published in a scientific journal.
Another study mentioned in the review asked participants with psoriasis to bathe daily in the Dead Sea over 4 weeks. Blood tests revealed increased levels of electrolytes and magnesium, suggesting that the Dead Sea salt minerals were able to penetrate the skin.
Learn more about Epsom salt here.
There is low risk when using Dead Sea salt for treating psoriasis. It is also useful for washing hair, cleansing the face, and soaking fingers or toenails to alleviate fungus.
It is not for oral consumption, as the minerals and magnesium give Dead Sea salt a bitter taste. Product manufacturers typically remove the elements that cause a bitter taste when using Dead Sea salt in foods.
Dead Sea salt for psoriasis is easy to use. It is available at many shops or through the internet. However, it may take some experimentation to determine the amount to use, as psoriasis affects people differently.
It is safest first to test how the skin reacts to Dead Sea salt. Mix one teaspoon of Dead Sea salt with warm water and apply to a small patch of skin before soaking in a bath. If there is an allergic reaction, do not proceed with a bath.
Begin with half a cup of Dead Sea salt in a full bath and soak for 15–20 minutes. If psoriasis scales do not loosen or respond with reduced itching, add Dead Sea salt in quarter-cup increments for each bath.
Dead Sea salt is widely available on the internet through major retailers and independent shops. It is also available locally at many retail chains and pharmacies.
It comes in amounts ranging from 1 pound to over 50 pounds.
Dead Sea salt looks similar to table salt. For this reason, some retailers offer a certificate of authenticity that confirms it is from the Dead Sea region.
It is not possible to make Dead Sea salt at home because of the specific chemical makeup of minerals in the Dead Sea.
Look for Dead Sea salt at local pharmacies or stores that supply bath soaps and salts. It is also available online. Certificates of authenticity are available from some retailers to prove that the salt came from the Dead Sea region.
Psoriasis is a chronic disorder that causes the overproduction of skin cells, which form scaly plaques. There are medical treatments for psoriasis, but some people experience uncomfortable side effects.
Alternative treatments to psoriasis include Dead Sea salt, which may moisturize the skin and remove plaques.
Some people travel to the Dead Sea to experience the effects of mineral waters, but others purchase Dead Sea salt for use at home. Dead Sea salt is available online or at local pharmacies or bath and beauty retailers.
Soaking in a Dead Sea salt bath solution at regular intervals over several weeks could help treat psoriasis.
Dead Sea, Israel, Jordan
Is Dead Sea salt an effective treatment for psoriasis?
Studies show that bathing in sea salts can provide mild relief from psoriasis. But to truly benefit from this treatment, you must spend at least two weeks swimming in the world’s saltiest sea.
It has been known for centuries that people with skin conditions, including psoriasis, can benefit from swimming in the Dead Sea in eastern Israel or in Jordan, where the water is 10 times saltier than the ocean. The facts about the healing properties of the Dead Sea water have been noted since ancient times, in the Bible, it says “soaking people in the Dead Sea water.”
You can buy mineral-rich sea salts to add to your bath, but can they help relieve the pain and itching of psoriasis?
Sea salt products sold in pharmacies and stores may offer little or, more accurately, limited benefit in the treatment of psoriasis.
On the other hand, by making a pilgrimage to the Dead Sea and spending at least two weeks there, one can get a very useful and effective treatment for psoriasis. And, although the minimum is two weeks, people who stay at the resort for four to six weeks receive huge benefits and a high result of treatment. Experts note cases of complete recovery of patients who spent more than 2 weeks on the Dead Sea.
The benefits of healing at the Dead Sea are individual for each person. Some patients, upon return, after some time, had a re-development of psoriasis. Other patients had a very long remission. Some patients return to the Dead Sea every year.
According to statistics, out of 1500 patients with psoriasis treated at the Dead Sea, 80-100% clearance was observed in 88% of patients, including almost 58% who had complete clearance.
The Dead Sea, with its unique optical, chemical and atmospheric properties, provides an effective alternative treatment for psoriasis.
Why is the Dead Sea unique?
The light on the Dead Sea is very unique. The mineral content of the water is unique. The evaporating air or thick haze around the Dead Sea contains chloride salts – magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, etc. – the concentration of which is 20 times greater than anywhere else in the world. According to the Psoriasis Science Foundation, Dead Sea salts help break down thick plaques and allow sunlight to fight the inflammation underneath.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, over 400 meters below sea level. The sun’s rays must pass not only through these 400 meters, but also through the haze. The haze helps filter out the sun’s short ultraviolet rays, which are most harmful to the skin. The remaining rays are the maximum effective wavelength of ultraviolet light for the treatment of psoriasis. Sunbathers are still advised to use caution and use sunscreen when exposed to the sun for extended periods of time.
Other destinations for psoriasis treatment
In addition to the Dead Sea, there are other mineral-rich waters where people travel for psoriasis treatment, including Kangal in Turkey and the Blue Lagoon pool in Grindavik, Iceland.
In the United States, there is Berkeley Springs in West Virginia, which is about two hours from Washington, DC, and has a spring of warm mineral waters. Warm mineral springs near Sarasota, Florida, and Soapy Lake in eastern Washington, known for its minerals, water, and creamy black mud.
There are other places where there are psoriasis clinics where sun exposure is part of the treatment regimen, but the combination of light and minerals is only found in the Dead Sea resort.
Peculiarities of psoriasis treatment at the Dead Sea
The resort of Ein Bokek on the Dead Sea coast has a unique microclimate due to salt water evaporation and its location – it is the world’s deepest natural depression, located 404 meters below sea level. But the location of the resort is not fundamental in the treatment of psoriasis, the main factor is the impact of the Dead Sea water. This natural reservoir is unique in every sense, the concentration of salt in it just rolls over, and there are no such sources anywhere in the world. We will tell you more about this amazing natural medicine today.
Water that heals
Calling the Dead Sea water “water” in the full sense of the word can be quite conditional, because up to 43% of the solution is minerals. In the composition, you can find most of the elements of the periodic table, it is saturated with many useful trace elements and impurities of therapeutic mud.
Potassium, magnesium and bromine have a tremendous healing effect on the skin affected by psoriasis, cleanse it and stimulate cells to regenerate, have a relaxing effect on the muscles, improve blood circulation. Sea water with high mineralization regulates moisture in the cells of the skin, heals wounds, has an anti-stress and antiseptic effect, and prevents possible infections in the foci of psoriatic plaques.
Beach treatment
You can get treatment on the coast simply by swimming in the sea, the water acts as a natural antiseptic. The Israeli resorts of the Dead Sea have a number of specially equipped beaches that work exclusively for patients with psoriasis. There are separate areas for men and women, and patients do not need to be ashamed of their illness. Here, under the supervision of doctors, patients can bathe and thus undergo medical procedures.
It is important to correctly apply medicinal waters and bathe in a dosed manner. The body, exhausted by psoriasis, relaxes while swimming in the sea, blood circulation normalizes, the skin is renewed, the water balance of the skin returns to normal, and metabolic disorders are mitigated.
Procedures with sea water
Also, Dead Sea water for the treatment of psoriasis is used for the preparation of therapeutic baths, rubdowns, lotions, ointments, dressings soaked in a solution of sea salt. Concentrated baths and pools with Dead Sea water have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin due to the saturation of blood plasma and intercellular fluid with beneficial minerals.
Also, do not forget about the thermal springs located along the coast of the Dead Sea. The main element in the composition of thermal water is sulfur. Hot sulfur baths saturate tissues with oxygen, strengthen the circulatory system, and improve the balance of oxidation and reduction reactions. Mineral pools, which are filled with water from natural hydrogen sulfide sources, increase the supply of oxygen to the body, and the circulatory system is strengthened.
Dead Sea Mud
According to world statistics, Dead Sea mud is the most effective treatment for psoriasis of any stage. Local silt sulfide highly mineralized mud is famous all over the world for its truly miraculous properties. Pelotherapy or mud therapy is an important aspect of treatment at the Dead Sea. Muds have a powerful anti-inflammatory and hormonal-normalizing effect, while there are no hormones or antibiotics there, only trace elements.
Local healing mud contains a lot of bactericidal substances such as iodine, zinc and bromine. In combination, these microelements relieve inflammation on the skin, improve its nutrition, cleanse and rejuvenate all layers. A high therapeutic effect of psoriasis mud therapy is achieved with the help of peloid mud applications and mud wraps.
The unique composition of mud with a high concentration of minerals, salts and other microelements allows you to effectively fight not only the skin manifestations of psoriasis, but is also beneficial for joints, bones, muscles. Psoriatic arthritis is treated with therapeutic mud baths, applications, body wraps, such procedures greatly alleviate the articular manifestations of the disease.
The climate on the coast of the Dead Sea is a natural immunomodulator
Sunbathing will be an effective addition to swimming in the Dead Sea and mud therapy. For this purpose, special solariums on the roofs have been created in spa hotels and sanatoriums, but you can sunbathe in doses just on the beach. Thanks to the evaporation of the lake, a cap is created in the air from microcrystals of salts that can reflect harmful hard ultraviolet radiation, the sun’s rays are filtered by a kind of salt filter of the Dead Sea evaporation. Ultraviolet loses its aggressiveness and the hard component of the radiation spectrum. Exposure to the sun will not cause burns, but on the contrary, it will have a beneficial effect on psoriatic plaques, they will begin to involute and gradually turn pale, until they disappear completely.
On the coast of the Dead Sea, even the air has a healing effect, as it is saturated with oxygen, negative ions, beneficial fumes from the Dead Sea salts, especially bromine. Air baths act as a natural immunomodulator. In addition, the air here is dry, desert, does not contain any allergens, only the beneficial evaporation of the Dead Sea salts.
Additional methods of psoriasis treatment
Talking about the treatment of psoriasis on the Dead Sea coast, one cannot but mention the physical methods of treatment – this is an integral part of the complex fight against the manifestations of psoriasis.
Dead Sea resorts offer a wide range of physiotherapy treatments, such as various phototherapy treatments: PUVA therapy, selective phototherapy, ultraviolet disinfection (UVR), narrow band light therapy. Laser therapy procedures, ultrasonic exposure, magnetotherapy, cryotherapy are also effective. The necessary procedures are determined by the attending physician in the sanatorium, based on the general condition of the patient, the degree of damage and the stage of the disease.