Using Salt Baths and Your Health
Bath salt has long been used in both a medical and aesthetic sense as an inexpensive and convenient means of healing physical and mental health problems. Salt baths, which are usually made up of sea salt or Epsom salt, can be used for relaxation purposes or for pain relief. Bath salt has been used traditionally as a detoxification agent and it has been used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions ranging from digestive issues to arthritis pain.
Although dead sea salt have been known to be effective, they do have some major drawbacks. One of these is that the concentration of sodium in them is often too high to be effective. Because sodium is an extremely hard, dense substance, it has little room to penetrate through the skin or enter the bloodstream. Bath salt can therefore be harmful if taken excessively, or even in the wrong dosage.
Another disadvantage of salt bath is that sea salt and Epsom salt can both cause allergic reactions in some people. Many people who have had adverse reactions to salt bath also have allergic reactions to other additives that they use in the bath such as perfumed lotions and other scents.
For people who spend a great deal of their time in spa resort vacations or spas, using bath salts to relieve aches and pains is not always practical. Some people may not be able to tolerate the smell of salt in the water or they may have health concerns that preclude them from taking baths at all. In these cases, spa salts may be a better option.
People who have sensitive skin should avoid sea salt because this substance contains a lot of salt, which can actually irritate sensitive skin. Sea salt and Epsom salt can cause rashes and redness and may also burn easily so it is best to avoid them altogether.
Dead sea salts have a distinctive aroma that some find very appealing. Because of this, some people choose to take a bath after spending a lengthy day in the sauna because the smell of salt in the air makes them feel relaxed. Dead sea salts, however, have some very serious downsides because they contain heavy metals that can be harmful to the liver and should therefore only be used by people with no history of liver disease or cirrhosis.
Dead sea salts can help relieve pressure in the lower abdomen and lower the blood pressure in the lower extremities but should be avoided by people who are prone to dizziness, nausea or vomiting. Blood vessels in the feet and ankles can become very inflamed if they are exposed to too much pressure.
Although salt baths can offer a great deal of relief from a wide variety of conditions, they can also cause certain side effects. If the temperature of the water in which you are soaking in is too low or if you have a pre-existing condition, then salt bath may aggravate it. It may also create painful muscle spasms or pressure sores.
In hot tubs and hot showers, bath salt can cause water to turn dark and even black. The use of this substance should be limited to only certain body parts. You should never use bath salt on your face as this may result in scarring. The use of salt in these settings can also irritate your eyes, nose or throat.
Before you start using bath salts, you should talk to your physician first so he or she can advise you on the safest products for your specific condition. In rare cases where you may experience severe side effects, it may be necessary to consult with a doctor.
If you notice any type of side effect, stop using the product immediately and inform your physician right away, especially if you are prone to serious side effects. Other than the side effects, some of the chemicals in bath salt can cause depression and other negative mood swings.
It is important that you use caution with bath salts if you are pregnant or nursing, especially if you are pregnant or nursing. While it may help to relax you, bath salts can cause complications if ingested by a baby. While they can be very soothing, they may also be a hazard for your baby so do your research and discuss bath salt with your doctor before using them.