Salt Therapy for Psoriasis and Eczema

Psoriasis and eczema are chronic conditions that affect the skin. They can be caused by several factors, such as environmental triggers and genetics. These factors usually lead to skin inflammation resulting to poor health-related quality of life.[1]

While psoriasis and eczema  share similarities, they still differ in their own ways. Psoriasis, while it can be caused by genes, is more likely to be triggered by the immune system.  As an autoimmune condition, psoriasis causes the immune system to produce more skin cells than needed. In turn, this leads to inflammation. To delay the cell growth, and to decrease skin inflammation, patients may be given corticosteroid medication as a treatment. Meanwhile, eczema, can be caused by numerous environmental factors. In order to avoid a flare-up of skin inflammation, one may be cautioned to avoid certain irritants, such dust and food allergies. To further reduce flare-ups, patients may be prescribed calcineurin inhibitor creams.[2]

Although sufferers of psoriasis and eczema are given professionally prescribed treatment as their main course of action, some may seek adjunct therapies to use as a supplementary treatment. One treatment to consider is salt therapy. Salt has already been discovered to have exceptional benefits.  In a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology,[3] researchers had one group of psoriasis-inflicted patients bathe in water mixed with Dead Sea salt and another group bathe in water mixed with common salt. The researchers found that both Dead Sea salt and common salt were beneficial, with Dead Sea salt having more of an enhanced effect. Similarly, in a review published in the journal Pediatric Research and Child Health,[4] researchers noted how salt baths have also been beneficial for treating cases of eczema.

Salt can also help psoriasis and eczema sufferers when it’s in a dry aerosol form.[5] In a study published in Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult,[6] researchers gathered 383 subjects who suffered from a variety of ailments, inclusive of psoriasis and eczema. These subjects were then divided into two groups, with the main group consisting of 195 people, and the control group consisting of 188. While the control group received general medical treatment alone, the main group received salt therapy in addition to their treatment.

To investigate if there were any differences between the groups, in terms of salt therapy’s effect, three measures were applied:

1.) The SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis); a tool used before and after treatment, to assess the areas and intensity of eczema-related inflammation, in order to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.[7]

2.) The DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index); a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions related to the patient’s skin problems, which the patient answers, so that the researcher can calculate a quality of life score.[8]

3.) The PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index); a tool used to make calculations concerning the area and severity of psoriasis.[9]

After having the patients complete the rounds of treatment, the researchers used the SCORAD, DLQI, and PASI measurements to calculate scores. It was found that, alongside the other ailments, dermatological discomforts decreased due to the salt therapy. Thus, the researchers concluded that salt therapy does have some sort of benefit for chronic skin disease. While the conclusion of this research doesn’t explain why salt therapy helps ease problems with psoriasis and eczema, experts in salt therapy note that it may be due to salt therapy’s effect on the level of the Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.[10]  According to research on the matter,[11] it has been observed that salt therapy lowers IgE. This is an important observation, as IgE levels are higher in those afflicted by psoriasis and eczema.[12][13] Additionally, anti-IgE medications have been effective in treating chronic skin diseases. [14] Therefore, salt therapy may also reduce the discomforts of skin diseases by lowering IgE.

In addition to these benefits, salt therapy has more to offer the skin. According to the Salt Therapy Association,[15] salt therapy can aid skin’s protective properties by increasing activity of skin cell ion channels. It also effects microcirculation and pH levels. Because of this, salt therapy not only gives one relief from skin discomforts, but also provides aesthetically healthy skin.

To reap the benefits mentioned in this article, give us a call today to book your own salt therapy session!

Sources:

[1] Chovatiya, R., & Silverberg, J. I. (2019). Pathophysiology of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis: Implications for Management in Children. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 6(10), 108.

[2] Nall, R. (2017, February 19). Differences Between Eczema and Psoriasis. Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315749#treatments_eczema

[3] Halevy, S., Giryes, H., Friger, M. and Sukenik, S. (1997), Dead sea bath salt for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: a double‐blind controlled study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 9: 237-242.

[4] Di Cicco, M.E. Mazloum, D.E. Pecoraro, L. Peroni, D.G. Pigozzi, R. (2020). Can Salt Solution Bathing and Education Improve Skin Care For Atopic Dermatitis? Pediatric Research and Child Health, 3(10): 1-5.

[5] Shah, Pr. (2019). A Review of Salt Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Enhancing Respiratory Wellness and Skin Ailment. The Indian Practitioner, 72(5): 28-32.

[6] Chereshnev VA, Barannikov VG, Kirichenko LV, Varankina SA, Khokhryakova VP, Dement'ev SV. (2016). Novye napravleniya fizioterapevticheskogo primeneniya prirodnykh kaliinykh solei Zapadnogo Urala [The new directions in the physiotherapeutic applications of the natural potassium salts of the Western Ural]. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult, 93(6):21-26.

[7] Oakley, A. (2009). SCORAD. DermNet NZ. Retrieved from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/scorad/

[8] Finlay, A. Y. and Khan, G. K. 1994. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)--a simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 19 (3), pp.210-216.

[9] Oakley, A. (2009). PASI Score. DermNet NZ. Retrieved from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/scorad/

[10] Parry, J. (2017, January 7). Review: “My Eczema Went From This to This Using Salt”. Liverpool Echo. Retrieved from: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/review-my-eczema-went-this-12416240

[11] Chervinskayai, A.V. Zilber, N.A. (1995). Halotherapy for Treatment of Respiratory Diseases. Journal of Aerosol Medicine, 8(3): 228.

[12] Yan Z, et al. (2017) High Serum IgE Concentration in Patients with Psoriasis. Clin Res Dermatol Open Access 4(4):1-4.

[13] Darsow, U., & Ring, J. (2008). Immunoglobulin e-mediated allergy plays a role in atopic eczema as shown in the atopy patch test. The World Allergy Organization journal, 1(3), 51–56.

[14] Taylor, P. (2013, October 7). Novartis' Omalizumab Effective in Chronic Skin Disease. PMLive. Retrieved from: http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/novartis_omalizumab_effective_in_chronic_skin_disease_508292

[15] Salt Therapy Association. (2018). Benefits of Salt Therapy. Salt Therapy Association. Retrieved from: https://www.salttherapyassociation.org/benefits-of-salt-therapy