Venerdì 20 Agosto 2010
ARTICLE ON DERMATITIS OF THERMAL INTEREST
Among skin pathologies the ones that stand out for their diffusion in the population are eczema, acne, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis.
They are inflammatory skin pathologies (DERMATITIS) with chronic and relapsing course, of great interest for a dermatologist specialist from the clinical-therapeutic point of view and for the patient because they can alter the quality of life.
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is the most frequent skin pathology during childhood but it is not so uncommon also during adulthood.
It is generally characterised by erythematous-scaling spots, very itchy and mainly localised in typical places such as antecubital fossa and popliteal fossa.
On the contrary, acne affects more easily adolescents. It is a skin pathology characterised by multiple lesions: comedones, papules, pustules, sometimes also nodules and cysts. It is mainly localised in sebaceous areas of the body like: face, back, neck and shoulders.
Most frequent symptoms in young patients are soreness and sometimes pain.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a skin pathology that frequently affects adult men.
It is characterised by scaly crusts, quite itchy, localised in the scalp, but also in the central-facial areas of the face, in the back and in the presternal areas. It has a seasonal course with typical flares-up during spring and autumn.
Finally, psoriasis, a genetic-based skin pathology, more and more frequent among population, offers to dermatologist multiple clinical aspects.
Actually there are also clinical manifestations of this disease, such as psoriasis vulgaris (in which mostly elbows and knees are affected), inverse psoriasis (in which skin fossae are affected) or widespread psoriasis (in which a large part of the body is affected).
In latest years, dermatology is relying more and more on complementary therapies that work in synergy with current pharmacological therapies.
Among these therapies, the most used is undoubtedly the thermal therapy with sulphur water.
Actually, it has been recognised the therapeutic value of sulphur thermal water in the clinical remission of these dermatitis.
Sulphur, contained in thermal water as H2S (hydrogen sulphide), a gas that liberates itself easily in water, is responsible of the clinical improvement of the skin affected by these pathologies.
It acts thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-itching and anti-oxidant effects. Cycles of thermal baths, ultrasonic nebulizations and specific thermal mug treatments are therefore advisable.
The duration of these cycles is on average of 12 days and, for these diseases, baths can be paid by National Health Service by submitting to the spa a request made by the family doctor or paediatrician.
Thermal baths take place in single tubs by immersing the whole body except the head and they last from 15 to 20 minutes at a temperature of 37° C. When the head in concerned, sulphurous mud is used because it is the most suitable treatment for scalp.
In treating some localised form, water can also be nebulised through an ultrasonic nebuliser.
The cycles are usually repeated every 6 months or every year with generally good or excellent therapeutic responses.
Dr. Veronica Vescovi
Specialist in dermatology
