The effect bathing in a thermal lagoon in Iceland has on psoriasis. A preliminary study

Objective To investigate if bathing in a unique thermal lagoon in Iceland has a therapeutic effect on psoriasis. Design An open study where twenty-seven psoriasis patients bathed for three weeks in the lagoon. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to evaluate the severity of the disease before during and after bathing. Results The mean PASI score decreased from 16.1 to 8.1 (p= 0.01). The PASI score decreased most in the first week. The area of the lesions did not diminish but scaling erythema and infiltration decreased. Only very limited UV-radiation was observed during the bathing period. Conclusions Bathing in the lagoon has a favourable effect on psoriasis although in some cases it may not be sufficient as a single treatment. Further studies over longer period are needed.