The battle against psoriasis pushes forward every day. Some victories are found in high-tech laboratories, some through lifestyle changes and home remedies, and still others in time-tested wisdom that has been known since ancient times.
The Dead Sea has long been seen as
a place for wellness and rejuvenation. More than 2,000 years ago it served as one of the world’s first health resorts, sought out by no less than King Solomon, Cleopatra, and even the Queen of Sheba. And it’s no wonder. Situated 1,200 feet below sea level, the area around Dead Sea is the lowest dry land in the world. This unique geography has contributed to several qualities that make it an ideal destination for visitors interested in improving their skin’s health—and for psoriasis sufferers in particular.
Elevation
Anyone experienced with psoriasis knows that sunlight is often great for improving their skin’s condition, although sunburns can result in a nasty breakout. This is where the Dead Sea’s low altitude comes into play; the air is saturated with bromine and other metals that filter UV radiation. This means that visitors can enjoy the benefits of intense sunlight for longer without burning.
Furthermore, the low altitude also results in the air having 5% more oxygen than sea level, which nicely reduces one of psoriasis’s other common triggers—stress.
Water
Of course, the Dead Sea’s greatest draw is the sea itself, which is nearly ten times saltier than the ocean, and with high quantities of magnesium, potassium, and calcium. These mineral concentrates combine with the Dead Sea’s lack of allergens and microorganisms to create a potent restorative for many skin conditions. In fact, bathers who suffer from psoriasis have commonly found their symptoms cleared completely for as long as six months.
While there’s no shortage of personal experiences that demonstrate the Dead Sea’s remarkable healing qualities, there’s been plenty of scientific evidence as well. Long-term studies have shown that 60% of Dead Sea visitors dealing with psoriasis have seen their symptoms completely cleared, while an additional 36% have seen incomplete, but still significant, improvement.
Clearly a visit to the Dead Sea would be the perfect getaway during your next psoriasis outbreak, but sadly this might not always be in the cards. Fortunately, the magic of the Dead Sea is something that can be recreated at home.
Light therapy is increasingly accessible, as are several products that replicate the Dead Sea’s unique mineral qualities.
Further Reading:
Dead Sea Salt Treatments for Psoriasis — EmpowHer
San Francisco Salt Company Teams Up With the National Psoriasis Foundation for 2015 Events — PR Newswire
Dead Sea Salt Therapy for Psoriasis on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 — YouTube
