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Dead Sea Salt for Psoriasis
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.
Soaking in Dead Sea salts may help ease psoriasis symptoms like pain, redness, and itching. Dead Sea salts contain minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium that can improve skin, hair, and nail health and appearance.
Several studies support a connection between Dead Sea salt and benefits for psoriasis and other conditions like arthritis. However, more research is needed to support any treatment claims.
What Is Dead Sea Salt?
The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordering Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, and is the most saline lake in the world. Being the saltiest lake in the world, Dead Sea salt contains up to 10 times more minerals than normal sea salt. These minerals may be helpful in cleaning, detoxifying, and restoring the body, especially the skin and muscles.
People who have soaked in the Dead Sea report smoother, more hydrated skin and less inflammation. This claimed healing power explains why Dead Sea salts are a popular and helpful treatment for psoriasis.
Minerals found in Dead Sea salts that may promote skin health include:
Magnesium: Magnesium is great for detoxifying and cleansing the skin. It can promote cell metabolism and heal damaged and inflamed skin.
Calcium: Calcium may help promote skin growth and regeneration, retain moisture, and stimulate the production of antioxidants. Antioxidants can protect the skin and slow down free radical production. Free radicals can damage healthy skin, while antioxidants help the skin protect itself.
Zinc: Zinc can help heal and rejuvenate skin and protect the cells involved in creating collagen (the protein that adds structure to bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin).
Sulfur: Sulfur is known for its powerful healing powers and antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties.
Potassium: Potassium can keep the skin moist and reduce skin puffiness.
Bromide: Bromide can help soothe skin, relax the muscles, and calm nerves.
These minerals can penetrate deep into the skin offering prolonged benefits, including moisturizing effects. And because of this mineral-rich composition, Dead Sea salts have become famous for their healing properties, especially for the healing effect they have on skin conditions like psoriasis.
Dead Sea Salt vs. Epsom 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.
Benefits For Psoriasis
Not everyone can visit the Dead Sea to soak in its waters and reap its psoriasis-relief benefits. However, it is still possible to get a similar effect using various products made from the salts of the Dead Sea.
Possible benefits of using Dead Sea salt in skin products for psoriasis include claims of exfoliation, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing effects.
Exfoliation
Dead Sea salts are grainy, and they are loaded with calcium and sodium. That makes them perfect for removing thick dead skin and grime and bacteria that might be in the scales of dead skin.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The red, flakey plaques and joint pain associated with psoriasis are a result of ongoing inflammation. An important health benefit of Dead Sea salts is that they are rich in anti-inflammatory agents, including zinc and bromide. This means they can help with reducing inflammation throughout the body.
The anti-inflammatory properties of these salts may also promote blood circulation to infuse fresh oxygen throughout skin cells to lower the inflammation responsible for skin pain, redness, itching, and other psoriasis skin symptoms.
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Moisturizing Effect
Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium in Dead Sea salt can promote moisture in the skin. This is important because dry skin is more susceptible to psoriasis breakouts.
Skin Permeability
The minerals present in Dead Sea salts make the skin more permeable, allowing skin creams and moisturizers to penetrate the deeper layers of skin more effectively.
Kills Bacteria and Fungi
Bacteria and fungi are responsible for many of the skin problems associated with psoriasis. But the minerals in Dead Sea salts can create an environment where it is harder for these harmful substances to live.
Risks
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.
How Effective Are Dead Sea Salts?
A 2010 study looked at synchronous balneophototherapy (sBPT), a therapy that includes phototherapy and simulates treatment conditions at the Dead Sea (usually in a spa setting). The study aimed to test how effective this treatment was for psoriasis compared to ultraviolet B phototherapy alone.
The researchers found that sBPT was more effective than phototherapy alone after 35 treatments. The results remained at a six-month follow-up. Both therapies were considered safe options to treat psoriasis.
A 2012 systematic review found that water from the Dead Sea was helpful for psoriasis and other rheumatic conditions, including psoriatic arthritis(a type of inflammatory arthritis affecting some people with psoriasis). They concluded that Dead Sea saltwater was a safe complementary treatment.
A 2017 report looked at using Dead Sea salts for psoriasis and other skin conditions. The report reviewed several studies on the use of balneotherapy (bathing in Dead Sea salts) to treat psoriasis and other dermatological disorders. It found balneotherapy to have high success rates.
Another 2017 systematic review of articles looked at the effects of balneotherapy and Dead Sea climatotherapy. The review found there were many benefits in both therapies, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects for people with psoriasis who were using these therapies, with climatotherapy offering the most benefit.
Other Benefits And Uses
Since ancient times, people have used Dead Sea salts as a natural remedy for various conditions. In addition to psoriasis skin benefits, here are additional claimed health and beauty benefits.
Muscle and Joint Pain Relief
Soaking in Dead Sea salts may facilitate the body’s absorption of minerals that will promote the repair of tired and damaged parts of the body. This includes the joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Much of the research on the effect of Dead Sea salts on rheumatic diseases goes back 10 or more years. Most studies have confirmed that joint and muscle pain, swelling, and stiffness can be improved soaking in warm water containing these salts.
These older studies note that this is due to minerals improving blood circulation, which can reduce inflammation. These salts also have strong detoxifying and general relaxant properties, and when used in warm water, minerals can penetrate and absorb into the skin so the body is able to receive even more health benefits.
Most research on the anti-aging benefits of Dead Sea salts is older but may still be viable because it hasn’t been discredited. The effects Dead Sea salts have on the skin include exfoliation, hydration, and detoxification, which can translate into youthful and radiant-looking skin.
Regular use of face care products containing authentic Dead Sea salts may help reduce existing wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles from forming.
Better Sleep
Soaking in Dead Sea salt close to bedtime might help you sleep better at night. It contains magnesium, which plays a role in sleep cycles. After a warm bath in Dead Sea salts, you can sleep better because of the absorption of magnesium through your skin.
Stress Relief
Most people believe that warm baths are relaxing, but soaking in a bath containing Dead Sea salts may also offer stress relief. These salts are considered a natural muscle relaxant, mostly due to magnesium.
The claimed hair benefits of Dead Sea salts include:
Adding volume and bounce to hair
Providing nutrients to hair follicles to make them softer and reduce hair loss
Reducing hair loss when applied to the scalp to improve circulation and stimulate hair group
Detoxifying and cleansing to restore cell balance and reduce scalp oiliness and dandruff
If these claimed benefits to hair can be confirmed, the use of hair products containing Dead Sea salts may be helpful to people living with scalp psoriasis, a type of psoriasis that causes lesions from the hairline and scalp to the forehead, neck, and ears.
Nail Health
Soaking nails in warm water containing Dead Sea salts may strengthen the nails and soften the cuticles and the skin around nails. The rich mineral content in dead sea salts can also make your nails brighter.
Soak nails for no more than 10 minutes in Dead Sea salts and use a moisturizing hand cream afterward. Nail psoriasis can damage fingernails and toenails.
Nail health products containing Dead Sea salts may be helpful to people living with nail psoriasis. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims.
Reduces Cellulite And Water Retention
Dead Sea salts contain potassium, which can help manage water retention. Bathing in Dead Sea salts may help the body rid itself of toxins that have gotten trapped below the skin surface and caused cellulite. The result is that skin starts to look smoother.
Cellulite results from fatty deposits that have broken into the inner layers of skin, risen to the surface and created a dimpling effect on the buttocks, thighs, stomach, and back.
Some, but not all, of the touted health benefits of Dead Sea salts have been studied and confirmed for managing and treating a variety of conditions. You should always consult with your healthcare provider before using any new treatment for managing a health condition.
How To Use Dead Sea Salt
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.
Where To Buy Dead Sea Salts
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.
Summary
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.
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