Studies show that not only does psoriasis look differently on Black skin, but treatment options may not work as quickly or effectively. That’s why you need to find other ways to supplement your treatment program. One natural ingredient that may help you is Dead Sea salt so here’s what you need to know about it.
Benefits Of Dead Sea Salt In Skincare
1. It Can Reduce Inflammation
The magnesium in Dead Sea salt is known to be good for reducing inflammation. Since inflammation is a common symptom of psoriasis, using dead sea salt on the affected areas can ease the issue whether or not you’re having a flare.
Magnesium also encourages cell regulation and repair, which can be helpful to keep your skin healthy. Better cell repair can lead to shorter flares if they occur.
2. It Can Reduce Redness
Participants in several studies also experienced reduced redness in their skin. Though the areas affected by psoriasis can appear deep brown or purple for Black people, the effect of the Dead Sea salt can be the same.
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3. It Can Soothe Itchy Skin
Using Dead Sea salt on your affected skin has been shown to not only reduce itchiness but also improve the overall hydration of your skin. Keeping your skin hydrated can keep your skin healthy while reducing flares.
Moisturization is especially important for Black Americans as they’re known to lose moisture from their skin more readily than other ethnicities. Black people also report itchy skin more often than others who have psoriasis.
How It Helps Psoriasis
According to a few recent studies, Dead Sea salt can significantly improve psoriasis symptoms. During these studies, participants were treated by submerging their arms or entire bodies in a solution of dead sea salt and water for a minimum of 20 minutes.
After being treated like this for six weeks, many participants saw an improvement in symptoms like scaly areas on the skin, itchy skin, burning sensations, silvery scales, and red or purple patches. Up to 50 percent of the people treated with dead sea salt saw improvements as opposed to 24 percent of those treated with common salt.
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Researchers estimate that Dead Sea salt has a positive effect on your skin because it contains numerous minerals including magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulfur, iodine, and bromine. You can generally get these benefits from using products that contain Dead Sea salt or soaking in a solution made from the salt.
Other Natural Treatments For You
While Dead Sea salt is regarded as an effective natural treatment for psoriasis, it’s not your only option. One approach to soothing psoriasis is taking warm baths in colloidal oatmeal.
This form of oatmeal is a fine powder that dissolves easily in water. Oatmeal contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can help to reduce inflammation in the skin. If you opt for this method, experts recommend moisturizing as soon as you get out of the bath.
If you have access to natural aloe vera, applying the gel can also help with inflamed or itchy skin. Though the natural plant is best, you can also try using products that contain it. Researchers need to study tea tree oil a bit more but some initial data suggests that using it on your skin can help with psoriasis symptoms.
It’s important to note that you’re not limited to what you can place on your skin. Your diet also matters. Doctors recommend adding turmeric, foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and Oregon grapes to your meals. Some great sources of omega-3 fatty acids include nuts, seeds, soy, fatty fish, and flaxseed oil.
Psoriasis can be a tricky skin condition to manage. However, maintaining healthy skin is a key part of reducing your risk of flares. While you can do that by sticking to your prescribed medication regimen, a few natural remedies can help you as well.
