Matz Hagit, Orion Edith, Wolf Ronni
Dermatology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rechovot, Israel.
Dermatol Ther. 2003;16(2):132-40. doi: 10.1046/j.1529-8019.2003.01622.x.
Balneotherapy and spa therapy emerged as an important treatment modality in the 1800s, first in Europe and then in the United States. Balneotherapy involves immersion of the patient in mineral water baths or pools. Today, water therapy is being practiced in many countries. Examples of unique and special places for balneotherapy are the Dead Sea in Israel, the Kangal hot spring in Turkey, and the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Bathing in water with a high salt concentration is safe, effective, and pleasant for healing and recovery. This approach needs no chemicals or potentially harmful drugs. There are almost no side effects during and after treatment, and there is a very low risk to the patient's general health and well-being. Mineral waters and muds are commonly used for the treatment of various dermatologic conditions. The major dermatologic diseases that are frequently treated by balneotherapy with a high rate of success are psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The mechanisms by which broad spectrums of diseases are alleviated by spa therapy have not been fully elucidated. They probably incorporate chemical, thermal, mechanical, and immunomodulatory effects. The major importance of balneotherapy and spa therapy both individually and as complements to other therapies lies in their potential effectiveness after standard medical treatments have failed to give comfort to these patients.
浴疗法和温泉疗法在19世纪成为一种重要的治疗方式，首先在欧洲，然后在美国出现。浴疗法包括将患者浸泡在矿泉浴或泳池中。如今，水疗法在许多国家都有应用。进行浴疗法的独特而特别的地方有以色列的死海、土耳其的坎加尔温泉和冰岛的蓝湖。在高盐浓度的水中沐浴对治愈和康复是安全、有效且令人愉悦的。这种方法不需要化学物质或有潜在危害的药物。治疗期间和之后几乎没有副作用，对患者的总体健康和幸福的风险非常低。矿泉水和泥浆通常用于治疗各种皮肤病。通过浴疗法经常成功治疗的主要皮肤病是银屑病和特应性皮炎。温泉疗法缓解多种疾病的机制尚未完全阐明。它们可能包含化学、热、机械和免疫调节作用。浴疗法和温泉疗法无论是单独使用还是作为其他疗法的补充，其主要重要性在于在标准医疗治疗未能使这些患者感到舒适之后，它们具有潜在的有效性。
