Psoriasis and Sea water: How may the sun help?

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a non-communicable and chronic disease, which affects approximately 1-3% of the world’s population. [1][2]

Characterized by flare-ups and remissions, it can occur at any age, gender and race, while the intensity and duration of symptoms vary significantly from person to person. [1]

The exact causes are not known, but it is considered that to a large extent the appearance of psoriasis is related to genetic (heredity) and environmental factors (eg stress, smoking, poor diet). [3][4]

Psoriasis symptoms

What essentially happens in psoriasis is a significantly faster production of skin cells in the upper layer of the epidermis. [1]

As a consequence of this, thick spots on the skin with redness and/or silver-white color are observed, which resemble scales and are removed in the form of flakes. [1][2] The so-called psoriatic plaques that form in various parts of the skin, usually cause intense discomfort (itching, pain).

The most common types of psoriasis are:

• Scalp psoriasis
• Nail psoriasis
• Psoriasis on face
• Psoriasis on hands or palms
• Genital psoriasis 
• Psoriasis on feet or knees
• Psoriasis on the back

How to cure psoriasis?

Currently, there is no permanent psoriasis cure. This is why many people with psoriasis experience constant anxiety about how the disease will progress and how they will learn to live with it. [2]

On the other hand, there are several ways that significantly help to reduce the unpleasant symptoms and prevent the condition from spreading and worsening. [2]

Today there are various medications, topical treatments (psoriasis cream or ointment), but also nutritional supplements (omega 3, evening primrose oil, probiotics) that have been shown to prevent flare-ups and relieve itching. [2][3]

In addition, a balanced diet, adequate physical activity and control of stress levels play an important role in symptom control, as is the case with most pathological conditions. [3][4]

Psoriasis, the sun and the sea

Many people find that their psoriasis symptoms are significantly reduced during the summer season, which is quite reasonable.

The cold that prevails in the winter months greatly aggravates the skin manifestation of the disease, while with the arrival of milder temperatures and more frequent sunshine, things change for the better.

Psoriasis and the sun

Sun rays seem to be beneficial for psoriasis, but as you know, exposure to the sun requires great care! [5] Speaking of the potent benefit of the sun, we are not referring to an exposure that lasts for example 1-2 weeks (e.g. on vacation) and then stops. 

On the contrary, the beneficial properties of sun rays become apparent through daily exposure to them. [5]

Experts recommend the affected skin areas to be exposed for about 15 minutes a day  to the sun, with no sunscreen, so that there is some benefit.

Staying in places with sun for a longer period of time, without the application of a sunscreen and protection through a hat and clothing can have the opposite effect, worsening the symptoms. [5]

Therefore, daily exposure to the sun for a short period of time and adherence to sun protection measures for the rest of the day is recommended:

• Adequate and regular application of sunscreen (ideally use sunscreen for sensitive skin)
• Use of a hat
• Stay in the shade during “dangerous hours” (12:00-16:00).

Sea salt and psoriasis

Apart from the sun, sea water also seems to contribute to the improvement of the appearance of psoriatic skin. Sea salt bath helps to remove dead cells and reduce the roughness and redness of the skin.

In fact, in combination with short-term exposure to solar radiation, the appearance of the skin can be significantly improved.

It is recommended, however, after returning home from the sun and the sea, to take a refreshing shower and then apply some suitable moisturizing cream to effectively hydrate the skin.

Dead Sea salt and psoriasis

Since ancient times, people in the areas near the Dead Sea have been concerned with the benefits of its salt and mud for various skin conditions. [6]

In recent years, more and more scientists are studying the importance of the benefit that Dead Sea salt and water has on psoriatic skin.

In fact, many skin care products with Dead Sea Salt are on the market, such as various creams for body and hand care, dead sea clays, bar soaps, psoriasis shampoo etc.

What is considered, however, to provide the greatest benefit is not the salt but the minerals contained in the water (magnesium, potassium, calcium, etc.).

Many people get salt from the Dead Sea and add it to their bath (about half a cup in the whole bath), while others use the salt they have at home for cooking.

At the same time, many scientists are trying to take advantage of the potential benefit of the Dead Sea in order to design an effective psoriasis treatment to alleviate the symptoms. [7][8]

In conclusion, it is very pleasing that two such natural elements – the sun and the sea – can help people with psoriasis to some extent.

It is important that every health condition is treated with optimism and without stress, because even psychology alone can affect our lives positively or negatively.

Find at Vita4you.gr a great variety on psoriasis products.

References

1. Update on psoriasis: A review
2. Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment
3. Nutrition and Psoriasis
4. Stress and psoriasis
5. Psoriasis and the sun
6. Use of mineral waters in the treatment of psoriasis: Perspectives of Persian and conventional medicine
7. Indoor salt water baths followed by artificial ultraviolet B light for chronic plaque psoriasis
8. Effect of Dead Sea Climatotherapy on Psoriasis; A Prospective Cohort Study