The skin condition called psoriasis is an autoimmune reaction to triggers such as infection, injury or stress. Genes play a role, so people with family members who have psoriasis are more susceptible. There are a number of different types of psoriasis as well as different treatments. But one of the most unusual treatments has a long history: bathing in the Dead Sea.
Can Dead Sea Therapy Ease Psoriasis?
Q. About 20 years ago, I had guttate psoriasis, a rare kind. I had red spots from head to toe everywhere on my body.
I went to several doctors who offered absolutely no help at all. Another gave me a course of prednisone that rid me of the red spots in my groin and under my arms. You can’t keep on taking prednisone, though.
I found that a month at the Dead Sea is the answer. I went to Israel three consecutive years for a month, and I’ve remained completely psoriasis free since. It was expensive, but it healed me.
A. Bathing in the concentrated salts of the Dead Sea, then getting sun exposure that falls short of causing sunburn appears to be an effective way of treating several types of psoriasis (Israel Medical Association Journal, Feb. 2013). People who can’t travel to Israel might be treated in their dermatologists’ offices with a concentrated salt solution and controlled UVB radiation (Hautarzt, Aug. 2010).
Benefits of Salt Water and Sunshine:
You might not have to travel to the Dead Sea to ease psoriasis symptoms. One reader had a great response from the salt water and sun exposure on a snorkeling vacation. That sounds like possibly the most enjoyable treatment one could find to soothe psoriasis.
