Taking a dip can be a whole lot more complicated when you have psoriasis. Anxiety, feeling self-conscious about your skin and worried about the reactions of others may be enough to deter you from donning your cozzie and having a splash.

Swimming in the ocean is really good for your psoriasis! It provides relief from symptoms such as itching, flaking and redness, while soothing inflammation. The salt in the ocean cleanses and sloughs off layers of dead skin. Full of magnesium, a natural anti-inflammatory, the ocean is great for flare-up relief. In fact, people with skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis bathe in the highly concentrated Dead Sea for these benefits.

How Should I Look After My Psoriasis While Swimming?

• Try not to pick your skin before you go swimming. Picking and itching your skin can compromise the skin barrier, making it easy for bacteria and other microorganisms to enter the body. Plus, if you’ve ever swam with an open wound in the ocean… it stings! Keep away the nasties and resist the urge.
• Getting rid of excess dead skin with a gentle exfoliator can improve the appearance of your skin and reduce flaking. Alternatively, take advantage of saltwater environments to exfoliate your skin naturally!
• Find a swimming costume that doesn’t irritate your skin.If you can afford it, go for swimming costumes that are made with natural fabrics. If you like to cover up, try to find a loose-fitting costume to avoid smothering your skin.
• Avoid chlorine (where possible).Traditional swimming pools contain chemicals that dry out and irritate your skin. Try to find a saltwater pool, or if you must swim in chlorine, make sure you rinse thoroughly after taking a dip.
• Apply sunscreen. UV rays are good for psoriasis. In fact, UV therapy is often prescribed by dermatologists for the treatment of psoriasis. Soak up the sun but remember to ‘slip, slop, slap!’ to prevent skin cancer.
• Relax and enjoy the moment. Have a float, close your eyes, and enjoy the coolness of the water on your skin. Natural environments have a calming effect on our mind and can help to reduce stress, which in turn can prevent flare-ups!
• Rinse, dry and moisturise. After going for a swim, make sure you rinse off thoroughly. If you don’t have soap, plain water is okay. This is especially important if you swim in chlorinated pools. Right after your shower, dry off and liberally apply a moisturiser to seal and protect the skin.

Abundant Natural Health’s 100% natural Ocean Soothe® Range harnesses the healing properties of the Ocean for effective relief from symptoms of mild Psoriasis, problematic, dry, and flaky skin. We bring the benefits of the Ocean to you, no matter where you are. Use our new Ocean Soothe® Flare Relief Bath Soak in combination with our Ocean Soothe® Gel and Lotion for effective relief from irritation and inflammation without a trip to the beach!

Disclaimer: This site does not provide medical advice. The author of this blog is not a medical professional. This blog is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease of medical condition. Patients should not use the information contained in this blog to self-diagnose or self-treat any health-related condition. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read in this blog. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative, or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional. Information is gathered and shared from reputable sources; however, Abundant Natural Health is not responsible for errors or omissions in reporting or explanation.