Got an itch to travel? A visit to these vacation destinations worldwide may help relieve your psoriasis symptoms.
If you’re looking for an excuse to skip town, let your psoriasis be your guide. There are plenty of places you can go that may relax your mind and help your skin at the same time.
As long as you wear sunscreen, moderate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays at these destinations can be good for your skin.
Swimming in saltwater on your vacation can help remove dead skin, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Taking a dip in warm water may reduce inflammation, while cool water may help relieve itchiness. But because salt and chlorinated water can dry your skin, rinse off well and moisturize after your swim.
Keep reading for some psoriasis-friendly ideas for your next trip.
The regular sunshine and humidity of Florida can be great for your skin. If the thought of wearing a swimsuit makes you uncomfortable, private beaches are available up and down the Sunshine State.
Between Sarasota and Fort Myers, check out Warm Mineral Springs — the fabled “Fountain of Youth.” These springs boast one of the highest mineral concentrations in North America.
The summer weather around the Mediterranean Sea is warm and sunny, but the weather’s not the area’s only appeal.
The Mediterranean diet can give you lots of omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats link to numerous health benefits, including reducing the severity of psoriasis symptoms.
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Cities along the Mediterranean coast, such as Barcelona in Spain, Rome in Italy, and Monaco in the country of Monaco, offer some of the best and healthiest dining in the world.
Discovered some 250-odd years ago, people have used the Avène Thermal Spring to relieve skin inflammation and irritation for centuries.
The Avène Hydrotherapy Centre offers 6-, 12-, or 18-day treatment programs that may help people with many skin conditions, including psoriasis. Children are welcome there as well.
The fabled Dead Sea in Israel has long been a destination for people with psoriasis. The lowered elevation can protect your skin from sun damage, so you can soak in extra rays, which may help improve your skin.
A 2017 critical evaluation suggested that the high amount of the mineral selenium in the Dead Sea may benefit people with psoriasis because it’s anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and provides protection from UV light.
The high salt content of the water — which prevents most organisms from living in it — can also relieve and prevent psoriasis scales.
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland can be a great place to spend a few weeks. The geothermal seawater that’s 100°F (38°C) is full of beneficial algae and minerals known among some people for their ability to improve psoriasis symptoms.
However, it’s a pricy adventure. On top of travel, daily access to the spa starts at around $45. If price is an issue, you can check out Soap Lake, a mineral lake in Washington State.
Soap Lake is more of a DIY spa treatment. There are no formal treatments at the lake, but people have used soaking in the mineral-rich waters and mud to treat psoriasis for decades.
Summer temperatures in the 80s°F (27s°C) and 90s°F (32s°C) can make lying around the lake slathered in skin-softening mud even more enticing.
Underground springs feed Manitou Beach in Watrous, Saskatchewan, transforming this shallow lake inside Lake Huron into a 14-mile-long, mineral-rich therapeutic spa.
There are plenty of small hotels and inns around the lake to accommodate visitors, but your best bet can be to go during the summer months before the chilly Canadian weather takes over.
Before you book your plane tickets, scope out what else your destination has to offer. Caring for your psoriasis may take up enough of your daily routine, so you may not want to devote all your vacation time to it as well.
Remember, stress can be a trigger for psoriasis flares, so the more relaxed you are on vacation, the better your skin may feel.