A study led by Prof. Luca Cegolon, a professor at the University of Trieste and researcher at ASUGI, in collaboration with Prof. Giuseppe Mastrangelo from the University of Padua, delved into the benefits of saltwater pools compared to traditional freshwater ones for treating skin diseases and rheumatic conditions. Published in the international journal Water, the study emphasizes the significant therapeutic potential of saltwater.

Saltwater has been used for centuries to alleviate various ailments, and today it forms the basis of treatments such as thalassotherapy, which utilizes controlled interaction with marine environments, including exposure to sunlight. This type of therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or rheumatic conditions such as fibromyalgia.

The combination of exposure to seawater and sunlight – a key component of thalassotherapy – is especially effective in reducing the symptoms of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, as well as rheumatic conditions like fibromyalgia and ankylosing spondylitis.

For those with psoriasis, the benefits of immersion in seawater combined with sun exposure can last up to three months. Experimental studies have shown that six-week treatments using saltwater and UVB light are more effective than freshwater immersion or UV exposure alone.

Finally, a significant clinical trial involving over 1,200 patients across 102 dermatological clinics confirmed that saltwater baths followed by UVB exposure yield results comparable to established therapies like PUVA baths, traditionally used for treating psoriasis.