Cold Water Sea Swimming

[afternoonfix]

Hello All ,


 Just dropped in to say the following -two years back left a job of 27 years – and started out on my own, [ had P since a teenager]

Last year my skin was awful - legs / back / trunk - it was tough going, I was applying skin moisturisers twice a day and very, very down.

Not sure why I started –[ I was trying all sorts of creams [ had been to specialists] steroids / beehive lotion you name it etc but always came back ] – but I think I read somewhere about the properties & minerals of the ocean – 

so last August I started swimming in the sea – I live in the SE of Ireland . From the first swim I felt better, now 5 months on I try to swim for 5 minutes a day [ warm shower after with a cold rinse ] and my skin is 90% better ! [some days just a small cold shower if the sea is too rough]

Not sure if it’s the cold water reduces stress levels that is the reason – but I swear its addictive and healing.

Hope this helps anyone out there

[Forest Walker]

Hello All ,


 Just dropped in to say the following -two years back left a job of 27 years – and started out on my own, [ had P since a teenager]

Last year my skin was awful - legs / back / trunk - it was tough going, I was applying skin moisturisers twice a day and very, very down.

Not sure why I started –[ I was trying all sorts of creams [ had been to specialists] steroids / beehive lotion you name it etc but always came back ] – but I think I read somewhere about the properties & minerals of the ocean – 

so last August I started swimming in the sea – I live in the SE of Ireland . From the first swim I felt better, now 5 months on I try to swim for 5 minutes a day [ warm shower after with a cold rinse ] and my skin is 90% better ! [some days just a small cold shower if the sea is too rough]

Not sure if it’s the cold water reduces stress levels that is the reason – but I swear its addictive and healing.

Hope this helps anyone out there

Congratulations on 90% better skin.  

Do you have a background in swimming, generally?  It could be the salty water.  It could be the sequence of actions to get yourself to the seaside, to get into the numbingly cold water and submerse yourself.  That takes determination.  And the payoff is you feel good about doing a hard thing for yourself, a personal challenge met.  And it's exercise, which gives all sorts of good feelings, overall.  And your psoriasis is clearing.  

Thanks for sharing your story.  Best of luck to you.

[Turnedlight]

This sounds good! Yes it’s hard to say what I’d helping but it’s great that it’s helping.

The closest I get to that is turning the shower on and putting my arm in while it’s still cold. I don’t think I could do the whole body!

[afternoonfix]

if you google benefits of cold water swimming psoriasis - there are many sites with information heres but a few pieces :

Cool water may help to relive the itchiness and scales that occur with psoriasis /

Sea water has benefits for those with skin conditions,
due to it being rich in minerals such as magnesium.
Those with issues such as psoriasis and eczema may
see particular benefit. Magnesium lowers cortisol,
calming your nervous system, and reducing the
potential for stress-prompted skin issues.


Benefits of cold water to psoriasis

Taking an ice bath or a cold shower is one of the natural remedies for psoriasis. According to multiple studies, exposure to cold triggers the release of endorphins and strengthens your immune system. The endorphin receptors in the skin help to improve psoriasis symptoms and other chronic skin conditions. Besides that, the natural fats and oils from the skin’s surface are retained for a longer period (as opposed to hot water, which stimulates the itch response). Exposure to cold water may also improve the parasympathetic nervous system. This part of the body helps to enhance the general functioning of organs, including the skin. In addition to this, cold water constricts the blood vessels and tightens the pores. This reduces the redness of the skin and the loss of natural oils.

[Caroline]

Hi David,

So great that this works for you.

I am not completely surprised as it is very well known, at least in our country, that swimming in the Red Sea, does give a great relief for people with psoriasis.

Over here previously there were trips to the Dead Sea with groups of patients. And that worked tremendously well.
For some, a one time visit to the Dead Sea would help for a year, for others it came back after a while.

The effect was two-sided…. The water of the Dead Sea is extremely salty and the second is the trip itself, a vacation, without stress.

Unfortunately the trips have stopped… probably because of insurance, which may be stupid as those trips are cheaper than biologics.

The effect of salt, and probably also other minerals led to the development of a salt bath by a guy named Mendior Goossen. He made that for himself and has goed results.

Too bad that the salt baths do now work for PsA, though there may be good effects of the swimming the cold water to the immunesystem like you describe and that effect may also be positive for PsA.
Though… the idea of swimming in the cold sea, I also live close to the sea, does not at all appeal to me.. 

[Forest Walker]

Thanks, afternoonfix.  Really interesting.