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Climatotherapy is defined by Webster’s as “treatment of disease by means of residence in a suitable climate”. People who suffer from psoriasis, eczema or other skin conditions often choose an extended visit to a location that assists in their recovery. There are locations, both in the U.S. and around the world, that offer opportunities to soak in mineral saturated waters, bask under the sun’s rays and relax in the calming scenic surrounds.
● The Dead Sea is one of the most famous locations for climatotherapy treatments. (see my article at www.empowher.com/skin-hair-amp-nails/content/dead-sea-salt-treatments-psoriasis). The water has a high mineral and salt content and the sun’s UV rays are filtered due to its location 1200 feet below sea level allowing visitors to stay out longer in the water and sun. Dead Sea medical clinics supervise the treatment of psoriasis patients.
● The Mavena Derma treatment center in Chicago attempts to mirror the conditions of the Dead Sea for psoriasis care with Dead Sea salt baths and narrow band UV light treatments. http://www.mavena.com/english/clinic.htm
● Blue lagoon located in Grindavik, Iceland has geothermal heated seawater that has pulled in minerals from the earth’s crust. The water has a salt concentration three times that of the ocean and is high in silica, which helps with skin exfoliation, along with blue-green algae, which stimulates collagen production. www.bluelagoon.com/Bath/The-Blue-Lagoon
● The Avene Spa Centre is Southern France has mineral waters that are both used for baths and drinking. It is felt the restful environmental contributes to improving skin conditions aggravated by stress. www.avenecenter.com
● The spa of La Roche Posay in France is approximately 185 miles from Paris. The spa has thermal spring water baths, showers and the water is also used for drinking for general detoxification. Children are welcome at La Roche Posay.
www.station-thermale-larocheposay.fr/ (google will translate to English)
● The Red Sea in Egypt is similar to the Dead Sea in sun exposure and salt mineralized waters but it also provides 350 days of sun a year. Locations that offer climatotherapy treatments are: Helwan, Hurghada, the Fayoum Oases, Aswan, Sinai and Safaga. Safaga is a popular spot and the National Research Centre runs a psoriasis clinic there.
www.sis.gov.eg/En/Story.aspx?sid=1076
● Little Lake Manitou in Watrous, Saskatchewan Canada is a shallow lake fed by underground springs that provide it with a high salt and mineral content of sodium, magnesium and potassium similar to the properties of the Dead Sea.
http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/little_manitou_lake.html
● Warm Mineral Springs located between Sarasota and Ft. Meyers Florida is an hourglass shaped sinkhole filled with water that has the highest mineral content in the U.S. and pleasantly, is always 87 degrees. Daily admission is affordable and free exercise classes are offered. www.warmmineralsprings.com/
● Canary Islands has a psoriasis treatment center run by the Norwegian government that is not available directly to Americans. Americans traveling through private companies from the coast of Spain are able to spend time in the sun and water. There are plans of opening a psoriasis center that can be visiting by outside countries.
A few other less formal places to go for climatotherapy in the U.S. without structured healing programs are: Soap Lake in Central Washington, Berkley Springs in West Virginia or Paso Robles in Central Calif.
If you are considering seeking treatment for psoriasis or other skin conditions at one of these mineral baths, it is a good idea to discuss your plans with your dermatologist.
sources:
www.mypsoriasistreatment.com/Top-12-Psoriasis-Treatment-Centers-Around-the-World
PDF of Brochure on Sun and Water Therapy by the National Psoriasis Association at
http://www.sld.cu/galerias/pdf/sitios/rehabilitacion-bal/sunandwater.pdf
www.psoriasis.org
Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s healthcare and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele are at www.helium.com/users/487540/show_articles
Add a Comment2 Comments
My Comment is posted as anonymous it is not intended to be. My Name is Terry Cunningham and after 30 plus years of experience of Psoriasis and considerable research, i conlcude that: Heliotherapy/Climatology treatment of psoriasis is the safest, relativley most clinically efficaceous treatment in relation to artificial radiation UVBB, UVB 311nm NB or P,UVA Phototherapy or Systemic Drugs Immunosupressive in nature with proven fatal side effects Yours Skinfully Expert Patient
April 22, 2012 - 2:57amThis Comment
It is Historically recognised that Heliotherapy/Climatology is extremley beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic ecema. The problem with the UK Dermatology Profession is, " That they cant make any money out of the use of free sunlight in natural phototherapy treatment of skin diseases " . They can only profit personally by their use of artificial radiation and the cash they recieve from the Pharmacetuical Businesses. Disatisfied UK NHS Severe Psoriatic.
April 22, 2012 - 2:31amThis Comment