Treatment of psoriasis with baths: turpentine, coniferous, radon, hydrogen sulfide baths

One of the most effective procedures for improving the condition of the epidermis is baths for psoriasis. Let's consider the indications and technique for their implementation, types, and useful properties.

Psoriasis (scaly lichen) is a chronic dermatological disease. It affects not only the skin, but also its appendages: hair and nails. It is characterized by frequent relapses against the background of temporary improvement of the condition. It is not transmitted to others (not infectious in nature) and is not associated with the action of harmful microorganisms.

Most often, the disease occurs at the age of 15-45 in people with fair skin. Every 25th person on the planet suffers from it. The pathology is caused by the body's own immune cells. The skin becomes inflamed, the epidermal cells grow and small capillaries are formed. The disease manifests itself in the form of red spots, that is, psoriatic plaques. They are dry to the touch, covered with a white coating and rise above healthy tissue.

Scientists and doctors from all over the world are studying and treating this pathology. Baths for psoriasis with various additives are part of the therapeutic complex. They alleviate painful symptoms, relieve itching and burning, and moisturize the skin. Water procedures are carried out only after consultation with a dermatologist, who gives recommendations regarding this treatment method and its predicted effectiveness.

Is it possible to take baths if you have psoriasis?

Many patients who have encountered the most common dermatological disease wonder whether it is possible to take baths with psoriasis? Scaly lichen affects the skin with reddish dry spots that cause discomfort and pain. Water procedures should be carried out during the period of remission, since the skin is most vulnerable during an exacerbation.

The essence of medicinal baths is to moisturize the skin and remove harmful substances from the body through the pores. For these purposes, salt, turpentine, medicinal herbs, magnesia and other components are used. The main advantage of such therapy is that it can be carried out at home. Of course, it will not be possible to completely get rid of the disease, but it is possible to significantly extend the period of remission and improve the appearance of the skin.

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Advantages and disadvantages of baths for psoriasis

All the advantages and disadvantages of baths for psoriasis depend on what substances are used for the procedures and how well the technique is followed. If we consider this type of therapy as a whole, then with its help we can achieve the following results:

• Softening of hardened dry plaques.
• Anti-inflammatory action.
• Calming of affected tissues.
• Improving lymphatic drainage.
• Removal of toxins and other harmful substances.
• Reduces irritation, pain, itching and flaking.

As for the disadvantages, if the medicinal supplements are chosen incorrectly, the skin condition can worsen and a relapse of the disease can be provoked. This can also happen with an increased concentration of medicinal components. Therefore, before carrying out water procedures aimed at treating and preventing psoriasis, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist.

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Indications for the procedure

The main indications for prescribing baths for psoriasis are related to the therapeutic effect of the components used for their implementation. The type and duration of water procedures depend on the following factors:

• The patient's age and the characteristics of his body.
• Form of the disease, degree and severity.
• Number and frequency of relapses.
• Localization and size of plaques.

Baths have calming properties, restore and accelerate the healing of tissues damaged by psoriasis.

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Technique psoriasis baths

Water treatment procedures for psoriasis, aimed at improving the skin condition, can be carried out both in hospital or resort and sanatorium institutions, and at home. The technique for their implementation depends on the type: foot, sitting, general. Most often, lying baths are used, which allow you to relax the body and completely immerse it in water.

The dermatologist decides which baths to take. The doctor also gives recommendations and familiarizes with the general rules of water treatment:

1. The water in the bath should not be more than 38°C, otherwise such a procedure will put increased stress on the cardiovascular system.
2. Baths are therapeutic, not hygienic procedures. That is why before taking them, you need to wash yourself thoroughly under the shower, cleansing the skin of dead cells. This will allow the medicinal solution to penetrate deep into the epidermis and act more intensively on the skin.
3. Treatment should be carried out after meals. The last meal should be 1-2 hours before the bath.
4. The therapy is carried out every other day, the total duration of the course is determined by the doctor. The optimal time for one procedure is no more than 20 minutes.
5. After the medicinal bath, the skin should be treated with a moisturizer or a medicinal product prescribed by a doctor.

By following the above-described treatment technique, you can achieve lasting results, improve the condition of your skin and overall well-being, increase the period of remission, or even put the disease into dormancy.

Salt baths for psoriasis

Salt baths are used to heal microcracks in the skin, eliminate itching, burning, relax and tone the body. In psoriasis, they relieve irritation and help strengthen the nervous system. Rock salt, sea salt or English salt (magnesia), which can be purchased at a pharmacy, are suitable for the medicinal solution. The concentration of the solution depends on the stage of the disease and individual tolerance.

• Exacerbation – procedures are carried out daily for 30-50 days.
• Stationary period (there are no new rashes, but painful sensations persist) – 3 times a week, every other day.
• Regression (plaques decrease, peeling and pain disappear) – one procedure every 3 days is recommended.
• Remission and off-season periods – once a week.

At the beginning of the therapy, a weak saline solution should be used (200-300 g of salt per 200 l of water) and its concentration should be gradually increased. The positive effect will be noticeable after a week. Remission may occur after 2-3 courses.

Sea baths for psoriasis

Sea baths are very often used to treat psoriasis. In psoriasis, they have an antiseptic and healing effect, improve metabolic processes at the cellular level, relieve itching and flaking. Unlike table salt, sea salt contains many micro and macro elements, including potassium, calcium, iodine, bromine, magnesium and others. Sea salt rejuvenates the skin, makes it elastic and smooth.

General recommendations for the procedure:

• Add 1 kg of salt to 10 liters of hot water. After it dissolves, pour the solution into the filled bathtub.
• The water temperature should not be higher than 40-45°C. If necessary, you can add hot water.
• You should take a bath for 15-20 minutes, immersing all parts of the body with psoriatic plaques in water.
• Immediately after the procedure, you need to rinse with fresh water and dry your skin with a towel.
• It is recommended to carry out 3 procedures per week, the total course of treatment is 3 months.

To achieve maximum therapeutic results, it is better to use boiled or pre-settled water for the bath. While bathing, gently massage the inflamed areas of the skin with a soft sponge or washcloth, removing the keratinized layer. You can add a couple of drops of iodine to the water, which will enhance the antiseptic properties of the saline solution.

Soda bath for psoriasis

A reliable assistant in the treatment of many dermatological diseases is a soda bath. In psoriasis, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, softens the skin areas affected by the disease, soothes, relieves irritation and itching, and removes harmful substances from the body.

To prepare a bath, take 250 g of soda and dissolve it in warm water 36-38°C. You need to bathe for 15-20 minutes. At the same time, immediately after the procedure, it is better not to wipe the skin, but to let it dry naturally. The treatment should be carried out once every two days.

In addition to soda baths, soda ointments can also be used for psoriasis:

• Take 10 g of soda and 25 g of fir oil, 250 g of chicken fat, 50 g of pharmaceutical bile and the same amount of birch tar. Add 3 raw yolks, 50 g of laundry soap and ½ cup of chaga to the above ingredients. Boil the fat, add chaga and all the other ingredients except bile. After the ointment has cooled, add bile and mix thoroughly. The cooled product should be applied to the rashes every day before going to bed.
• You can make a healing lotion with soda. Mix equal amounts of soda and olive oil. Apply the product to the skin and cover it with plastic wrap overnight. It is recommended to carry out the procedure twice a week.

Soda can be used not only for external use, but also for internal use. However, before starting such therapy, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist and a gastroenterologist, since improper use of soda can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Turpentine baths for psoriasis

Turpentine baths for psoriasis have effective anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and warming properties. To prepare a medicinal solution, you need to buy yellow turpentine emulsion at the pharmacy. The solution is prepared according to the instructions that come with the emulsion. The procedure is contraindicated in case of low blood pressure and in the acute phase of the disease. The course of treatment is 30 days, baths are carried out every other day, starting with a minimum concentration (25 ml per 200 l of water) and up to a maximum dose of 170 ml.

Before taking a bath, it is necessary to close or treat open wounds and genitals with Vaseline. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes. The patient should immerse himself in the medicinal solution as much as possible, the water temperature should be up to 39 – 40°C. Hot water should be gradually added to the bath. This is necessary to increase body temperature and activate the body's defense systems. This method of treatment enhances the positive effect of the bath.

Immediately after the procedure, the skin should not be wiped off, it should dry on its own. It is necessary to wrap yourself in a warm robe and drink a hot herbal drink. This will promote increased sweating and the removal of waste and toxins from the body. After 1-1.5 hours, you should wash yourself in the shower or wipe the skin with a herbal infusion (chamomile, sage, string), you can also apply a moisturizer to the body.

Hydrogen sulphide baths for psoriasis

Hydrogen sulfide baths are used for many dermatological diseases. In psoriasis, such procedures relieve inflammation, improve skin condition, eliminate itching, burning and flaking. Hydrogen sulfide is a natural antioxidant with oxidizing properties. During the oxidation process, the substance forms sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. Therapeutic baths have a positive effect on the entire body:

• Normalization of blood pressure.
• Acceleration of blood flow and improvement of the functioning of the circulatory organs.
• Activation of metabolic processes.
• Increases skin elasticity, eliminates allergic rashes.
• Acceleration of cartilage tissue restoration.
• Normalization of sugar levels in croquis.
• Improving the general condition of the body.

Hydrogen sulphide baths activate the enzyme system and accelerate recovery processes. The therapeutic effect is achieved due to active components that penetrate the body through the pores of the skin and the respiratory system. For psoriasis therapy, you need to fill a bath with water and add hydrogen sulphide of the required concentration to it. The procedure should last 10-15 minutes, at a water temperature of 35–37°C. The course of treatment is 10-15 procedures every 1-2 days. Repeated therapy can be carried out after 4-6 months.

Despite the beneficial properties and health-improving effect, the treatment has a number of contraindications. It is not carried out in case of tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, oncological and allergic diseases, angina. The final decision on the possibility of treatment with hydrogen sulfide should be made only by a dermatologist.

Radon baths for psoriasis

Treatment with radon baths for psoriasis is usually carried out in a sanatorium and resort setting under medical supervision. Radon is a radioactive chemical element. It is one of the rarest natural gases formed during the decay of radium. When used correctly, microdoses of radon penetrate the skin, providing a healing effect.

The temperature in the therapeutic bath should be 34-36°C, and the specific activity of radon 0.2-7.4 kBq/l. Use 100 ml of concentrate per 200 l of water. The duration of bathing should be 7-10 minutes, the course duration is 10-15 sessions. Immediately after the procedure, rest and sleep are necessary. Such therapy can be carried out once a year. The treatment is contraindicated in seasonal forms of psoriasis and for patients whose work is associated with increased exposure to ionizing radiation.

During bathing, radon is absorbed into the skin and gradually penetrates the subcutaneous fat layers, dissolving and entering the body's vital systems. The effect of radon baths can be compared to ionization. The substance activates internal processes, in particular regeneration. After such therapy, there is an improvement in the skin condition, minimization of inflammatory processes, and acceleration of the regeneration of damaged tissues. Radon has a beneficial effect on the circulatory and cardiovascular systems, and has a general strengthening effect.

Oatmeal baths for psoriasis

Oatmeal is a natural and effective herbal remedy for facial and body skin care. Various masks, scrubs and other cosmetic products are prepared on its basis. Oatmeal baths for psoriasis have a softening and soothing effect, relieve itching and irritation.

To prepare a bath, you can use: oats with husks, oat flakes and even oat straw. The most popular methods for preparing medicinal baths:

• Boil a handful of oat straw in 10 liters of water and add the resulting decoction to a warm bath. This remedy helps reduce peeling and restores normal skin color.
• Brew rolled oats in a thermos until slippery. Pour the resulting liquid into a warm bath and add 50-100 ml of olive oil. The procedure should last 15-20 minutes, during which the oat water should be gently rubbed into the skin.
• Take gauze, fold it in half and pour 250 g of oatmeal into it. Tie the gauze well and put it in a warm bath. In addition to oatmeal, you need to add 500 g of table salt to the water. After this procedure, the skin becomes smooth and soft, psoriatic plaques become pale.
• Take a liter of milk and boil 250 g of oatmeal in it. After boiling, the remedy should be infused for 30 minutes. Pour the cooled porridge into a warm bath. This will improve the condition of the epidermis, lighten plaques, moisturize and soften the skin well.

Oatmeal contains a high amount of fiber and proteins, which improve metabolic processes and remove toxins and waste from the body. The above recipes can be used both during remission and during exacerbation of the disease.

Magnesia baths for psoriasis

Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is a drug most often used for hypertension. Magnesia baths for psoriasis are warming procedures that remove toxins from the body. It is better to take medicinal baths before bedtime.

To prepare the solution, take 100 g of magnesia and 500 g of sea salt and dilute them in warm water for bathing. The duration of the procedure should be 15-20 minutes, the course of treatment is 14 days with bathing every other day. Immediately after the bath, you need to wrap yourself in a warm robe and sweat well. After an hour, you can take a shower and apply a moisturizer to your skin.

For psoriasis, magnesium sulfate can also be used internally. Before therapy, it is necessary to prepare the body by taking a sorbent for cleansing and alkaline drinks, as well as following a diet. Before taking magnesium, you need to put a warm heating pad under the right hypochondrium and lie like that for 1-2 hours. After that, dissolve 3 tablespoons of magnesium in a glass of water and take it twice a day for 30 minutes. Such treatment can provoke an exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, before taking magnesium sulfate, you should consult with your doctor.

Starch baths for psoriasis

In case of severe itching and extensive rashes, starch baths are recommended. In case of psoriasis, they are carried out both in the acute stage and during remission of the disease. Starch relieves inflammation and itching, promotes exfoliation of dead particles. To prepare the solution, take 800 g of potato starch and dilute it in a container with cold water. Add the resulting solution to the prepared water.

For a medicinal bath, you can also use this recipe: dilute 200 g of potato starch in cold water until you get a kind of milky liquid. Gradually stirring, add the solution to the bath with cool water. After that, bring the temperature to a comfortable one, but not higher than 37 ° C. The duration of the procedure should be 20 minutes, after which you do not need to rinse or additionally moisturize the skin. The course of treatment is 10-12 baths, frequency of use - every other day.

Herbal baths for psoriasis

To normalize the condition of the skin and reduce the severity of psoriatic rashes, it is recommended to use herbal baths. In psoriasis, they reduce the inflammatory process and tone the entire body.

Most often, patients are prescribed the following herbal baths:

• Place dried chamomile in a container with a lid and pour boiling water in a ratio of 1:2. Let the liquid sit for 30 minutes, then strain it and add it to the bath. The infusion can be used to wipe inflamed skin and apply compresses. Take a cotton pad or bandage and soak it in the herbal infusion, apply it to the inflamed plaques and cover with film on top.
• Boil 50 g of calendula and chamomile in 6 liters of purified water. Cool the decoction, strain and add to a warm bath. The treatment time is 20-30 minutes.
• Prepare a medicinal decoction at the rate of 100 g of sage per liter of water. To do this, pour the plant material into a saucepan, fill it with water and boil for an hour. The decoction should be infused for 24 hours, then filtered and added to the bath.
• Pour water over the dry crushed cinquefoil root and cook over medium heat until the volume of liquid is reduced by three times. Once the decoction has cooled, it should be strained and used for medicinal baths. If desired, you can soak gauze in the herbal liquid and apply it to the rash areas for 1-3 hours, covering the body with film.

To choose the most suitable recipe for herbal procedures, you need to contact a dermatologist. After a full examination and clarification of the characteristics of the disease, the doctor draws up a herbal treatment plan, individually for each patient.

Baths with celandine for psoriasis

A powerful herbal remedy for treating many dermatological diseases is celandine. The plant contains vitamins and acids (citric, succinic, malic, chelidonic), essential oils, carotene, saponins. Such a rich composition provides bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, choleretic and antispasmodic action.

Baths with celandine for psoriasis are one of the options for treatment procedures with this herb. The plant can be used for wet dressings, ointments and lotions. However, it is contraindicated to use the juice of the plant in its pure form, as it causes severe pain, redness and irritation of the skin, burns. That is why it is better to use celandine in the form of oils, decoctions or ointments.

Medicinal baths are divided into two types:

• Warm – carried out at the initial stages of the disease, the water temperature should not exceed 35°C.
• Hot – used at advanced stages, maximum permitted water temperature is up to 45°C.

Celandine oil or its decoction is suitable for preparing a medicinal solution. You can prepare a special herbal infusion for bathing. Take a spoonful of celandine, two spoonfuls of valerian root, thyme, string, calendula flowers, three spoonfuls of St. John's wort and four parts of red clover flowers. Mix all the herbs, pour boiling water over them, boil in a steam bath, cool and strain.

You should take a bath for no longer than 20 minutes. As a rule, 10 procedures are enough to achieve the optimal therapeutic result. During this time, the skin will be cleared of psoriatic plaques, irritation, burning and itching will go away. In some cases, celandine causes complete visual recovery.

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Pine baths for psoriasis

The therapeutic effect of pine baths for psoriasis is due to the high content of essential oils in the needles. Penetrating the skin, these substances irritate the nerve endings, expanding small vessels. This leads to improved blood circulation and tissue nutrition, removal of waste and toxins.

• To prepare a pine bath, take 100 ml of natural liquid pine extract or one briquette and mix thoroughly in a glass of water. Pour the solution into a pre-prepared bath with water temperature of 35-37°C. Duration of bathing is 10-15 minutes.
• Take pine buds at a rate of 50 g per 1 liter of water. Boil the plant material in a water bath for an hour, strain and add to the bath. This recipe is effective for the treatment of palmoplantar psoriasis.
• Pour boiling water over freshly cut pine branches. As soon as the water temperature drops to 38°C, you can immerse the parts of the body affected by plaques in the solution. Immediately after the procedure, you need to wrap yourself up and lie under a warm blanket for 30 minutes. This treatment is carried out every two days, the course of therapy is 5-7 baths.

Aromatic compounds penetrate not only the skin, but also the respiratory tract, that is, the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Pine needles have an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect, soothe nervous irritations, and improve sleep.

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Antler baths for psoriasis

Young antlers of the maral deer are antlers. They contain 18 amino acids and the animal's blood, which has medicinal properties. Antler baths for psoriasis are used in alternative medicine. They normalize metabolic processes, accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues, rejuvenate and slow down the aging process, and remove harmful substances from the body. They increase stress resistance, normalize hormonal sleep, and have an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect.

To prepare a medicinal bath, dilute 50 g of maral antler powder in water. Bathing should last 15-20 minutes. The procedures are carried out every other day, a course of 10 baths. Such treatment is possible only in the remission stage of psoriasis; during its exacerbation, antlers can worsen the course of the disease. Before using this remedy, you must consult a doctor.

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Aspirin bath for psoriasis

Baths with aspirin have exfoliating properties for psoriasis. Acetylsalicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It relieves pain, reduces fever and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The same therapeutic effect from aspirin can be obtained not only with its oral use, but also with external use.

Baths with aspirin are used for palmoplantar psoriasis. To prepare a medicinal solution, crush 10 tablets of the medicine and add 2-4 drops of lemon juice to them. The resulting mixture can be poured into a basin of water and washed on the parts of the body affected by psoriasis or applied to the plaques and wrapped in polyethylene. The duration of the baths and compress should be no more than 15 minutes. During this time, the skin will become softer and when rinsing it, the plaques will come off painlessly. Such procedures can be carried out no more than once a week and only after consulting a doctor.

Baths for psoriasis at home

The most accessible and effective treatment procedure is baths for psoriasis. At home, they can be prepared from simple and accessible ingredients: salt (sea, table), oatmeal and much more. Such diversity makes it possible to choose the simplest and most effective recipe for psoriasis.

Most often, baths with soda, salt, starch, turpentine and various herbal infusions are prepared at home. But in addition to a properly selected recipe, it is very important to follow the correct treatment technique:

• Give the body a rest between courses of therapy (at least 30 days).
• After each water procedure, you should carefully examine the plaques. If there are softened crusts, they should be carefully separated from the body.
• During treatment, you cannot drink alcohol or smoke. It is recommended to follow a diet. This comprehensive approach has a positive effect on the general condition of the body and treatment.
• Follow the medication regimen prescribed by your doctor (tablets, creams, ointments).

Water treatment should be combined with vitamin therapy. You can take vitamin and mineral complexes and products rich in vitamins A, B, D and fiber. Because they improve metabolism and have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body.

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Contraindications to the procedure

Therapeutic water procedures for psoriasis have the following contraindications:

• Oncology and benign neoplasms.
• Tuberculosis and inflammatory lesions of the respiratory tract.
• Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine system disorders.
• Epilepsy.
• Pregnancy (second trimester).
• Fungal or infectious skin lesions.

In the presence of the above-described contraindications, treatment of psoriasis should be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist and preferably in a hospital setting.

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Consequences after the procedure

Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatological diseases. Its consequences negatively affect the functioning of the entire body. Incorrect therapy of the pathology or attempts to cure the disease on your own can lead to serious problems.

Thus, if the technique of popular baths for psoriasis is not followed, it can be provoked to worsen. For example, too hot water or an increased concentration of medicinal substances can lead to the appearance of new foci of inflammation or the growth of old ones. The affected area can reach 70% of the entire body.

Uncontrolled water procedures with the use of various additives and preparations can lead to toxic-allergic dermatitis or poisoning of the body. In addition to physical discomfort, the disease will also cause psychological discomfort, the consequences of which can be disastrous.

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Complications after the procedure

The main danger of psoriasis is that its untimely or incorrect treatment can lead to damage to the entire body. Complications manifest themselves in the form of disorders of varying severity in many organs and systems. Most often, joint tissues, kidneys and liver are targeted. Metabolic disorders at the tissue and cellular levels are also possible.

Complications of psoriasis are potentially life-threatening and can lead to disability. That is why a doctor should diagnose and treat the disease. Attempts to cope with the pathology on your own are fraught with a fatal outcome.

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Reviews

Baths for psoriasis are not just a method of alternative treatment. Their effectiveness is confirmed by classical medicine. And numerous positive reviews from patients make us believe in the healing properties of water procedures. Compliance with the technique of such therapy and the choice of suitable means (phytocomplexes, soda, sea salt, starch) significantly improve the condition of the skin, minimize or completely eliminate painful sensations and lead to stable remission.