Climatotherapy of Skin Diseases at the Dead Sea – an update

Résumé

Introduction: The Dead Sea area attracts yearly thousands of patients suffering from chronic skin diseases and Climatotherapy protocols and treatments are now well developed and scientifically proven. Sun exposure is the most effective component for the treatment of skin diseases at the Dead Sea, and was recognized as such long ago. This region benefits from a specific reduction of ultraviolet (UV) radiation predominant for the UV-B rays with a wavelength shorter than 300 nm. Dead Sea baths exert an additional proven beneficial effect on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, but also on Atopic Eczema and Vitiligo.

Material and Methods: The latest studies dealing with the influence of Dead Sea Climatotherapy on skin diseases were reviewed and analyzed.

Results: Numerous studies in vivo and in vitro demonstrated the success of this method, but it seems important to distinguish the beneficial effects of the natural balneo-phototherapy practiced in unique psychological ambiance and exceptional bioclimatic conditions from those obtained by artificial balneo-phototherapy.

Conclusion: More than 4 decades after being studied, Dead Sea Climatotherapy can be considered now as a natural and simple dermatological treatment, highly effective and free of side effects, that requires, in order to obtain optimal results, a medical and individualized follow-up for each patient.