The Dead Sea, while a popular location for all tourists, is also a site for health tourism in Israel. Many skin therapies are available at the Dead Sea because of the low elevation - and resulting reduced ultraviolet radiation - and high mineral content of the waters and mud in the area.
Some of the more common forms of skin therapy in the Dead Sea are:
Climatotherapy: Treatment based upon the local climate and features such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure - resulting from the low elevation - and atmospheric components.
The Dead Sea has a unique atmosphere because there is very low pollen and allergen content.
Heliotherapy: Similarly to Climatotherapy, this treatment makes use of the effects of solar radiation.
Thalassotherapy: Treatment that utilizes the minerals in the Dead Sea’s waters.
These therapies assist in treating a variety of disorders and dermatological diseases, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides.
Those suffering from psoriasis can benefit from their ability to sunbathe for long periods of time, as well as occasional bathing in the Dead Sea.
The range of UV radiation found at the Dead Sea is considered to be healing for psoriasis, while the more damaging solar rays are naturally filtered out because of the location’s low elevation.
The sulfur content is considered to be particularly healing.
Those coming here to treat their psoriasis also enjoy a relaxed, social atmosphere that is a wonderful alternative to treatment within a hospital. Treatments usually last around four weeks.
Atopic dermatitis, a disease found mostly in children, has also been treated successfully with Dead Sea sun exposure therapy. Treatments last between four to six weeks, and doctors boast that 70 percent of patients treated at the Dead Sea show a dramatic improvement.
Dead Sea therapy is also effective for vitiligo – a disease in which areas of the skin lose their natural pigmentation. Treatment usually takes four weeks, after which the healing process begins and which will continue when the patient goes back home.
