Summer allergies? A salt room can help!
Hot days during summer can encourage time spent outdoors but the downside, among others can be, if you're suffering from allergies, having a flare up on particularly hotter days experienced in these parts of the country.
22/02/2024
Summer allergies can leave those who
experience them in great discomfort. Among many
traditional treatments for allergic rhinitis or
hay fever, skin allergies, rashes and
sensitivities, individuals can make use of
alternative therapy in a Salt Room, also known
as halotherapy or salt therapy.
Summer is a time of fun and spending time enjoying the outdoors, but if you’re one of the many people suffering from summer allergies, you’ll dread a flare up on a particularly hot day.
Of the most common summer allergies
is allergic rhinitis or hay fever, commonly
caused by grass pollen, resulting in a runny or
stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose and
throat. Skin allergies, rashes and sensitivities
also often flare up in the hotter months,
leaving sufferers in great discomfort.
An
alternative therapy that could help alleviate
these conditions is a salt room. Also known as
halotherapy or salt therapy, it’s a wellness
trend that involves spending time in a room with
walls made of salt or with a salt generator that
disperses microscopic salt particles into the
air.
Many people have positive
experiences and improvements in certain health
conditions after salt therapy sessions,
including feeling less stressed, being able to
breathe more easily and even sleeping better!
Respiratory health
Halotherapy is often
promoted as beneficial for respiratory
conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, the
common cold and allergies. Salt has natural
anti-inflammatory properties and the theory is
that inhaling microscopic salt particles may
reduce inflammation in the respiratory system,
particularly in the airways and lungs. This
could potentially benefit individuals with
respiratory conditions characterised by
inflammation, such as asthma and bronchitis.
Salt is also believed to have a mucolytic
effect, meaning it may help to thin and loosen
mucus. By making it easier to expel mucus, salt
therapy proponents argue that it could alleviate
congestion and improve breathing in people with
respiratory allergies and conditions.
Salt has known antimicrobial properties, and
inhaling salt particles may have a cleansing
effect on the respiratory system by helping to
remove harmful microorganisms, allergens or
irritants from the airways.
Skin conditions
Some people believe that salt's
antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties
can benefit skin conditions such as eczema and
psoriasis. Proponents suggest that inhaling salt
particles in a salt room could potentially
reduce skin inflammation, and that exposure to
salt in the air may have a cleansing effect on
the skin, helping to reduce the risk of
infection in eczema-affected areas.
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While some individuals with eczema may report
feeling temporary relief or improvements in
their symptoms after spending time in a salt
room, it's important to approach these claims
with caution. Scientific evidence supporting the
use of salt rooms specifically for eczema is
limited, and individual responses can vary.
If you have eczema and are considering salt
therapy, it's crucial to consult with your
dermatologist or healthcare provider before
trying it, cautions Lerato Tlhame, spa manager
at Amani Spa & Wellness at Radisson Hotel &
Convention Centre, Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo.
“It's essential to prioritise evidence-based
medical treatments for eczema, and salt therapy,
if considered, should be viewed as a
complementary or alternative approach rather
than a primary treatment. Always follow the
guidance of your healthcare professional for
managing skin conditions like eczema or
respiratory conditions.”
Stress reduction
“Salt caves and rooms are a remarkably serene and calming environment to be in, which helps to contribute to overall well-being,” adds Tlhame. “Stress is known to exacerbate certain skin conditions, and being in a relaxed state may positively impact overall skin health and positively impact respiratory function for some,” says Tlhame. “Many people also report that the stress-reducing effect of a salt room helps them to sleep better after a session.”
Detox and immune booster
Advocates of
salt rooms claim that the exposure to salt
particles can help the body detoxify by
promoting the removal of toxins through the skin
and respiratory system. And because salt is
believed to have immune-boosting properties,
some proponents suggest that regular sessions in
a salt room may help strengthen the immune
system.
It's important to note that while
many people report positive experiences with
salt therapy, scientific evidence supporting
these claims is limited, and more research is
needed to establish its effectiveness. “It's
advisable to consult with your healthcare
provider, especially if you have pre-existing
respiratory or skin conditions,” advises Tlhame.
Allergies are complex conditions
influenced by various factors, and individual
responses to salt therapy can vary. Salt therapy
should be viewed as a complementary or
alternative approach to respiratory health, not
as a replacement for evidence-based medical
treatments.
“Additionally, it's essential
to choose a reputable facility with trained
staff to ensure a safe and effective experience.
Our sessions typically take 45 minutes, and even
though salt has such stringent anti-microbial
properties, we follow strict protocols to ensure
our salt room is a sanitary space,” Tlhame
concludes.