Climatotherapy at Red Sea - Hurghada Versus Topical Combination of Corticosteroids and Salicylic Acid in Treatment of Psoriasis

The severity of psoriasis is defined by the extent of body surface involvement as well as the involvement of areas that substantially affect daily life such as hands, feet, face and genital region . Approximately 80% of patients have mild to moderate disease and 20% have moderate to severe disease. Although the precise etiology of psoriasis remains unknown, a combination of immunologic, genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development and exacerbation. Psoriasis has multifactorial pathogenesis in which predisposing genetic factors (dysregulation of the immune system and alteration of keratinocytes) and environmental trigger factors (such as local trauma, streptococcal infections, emotional stress, drugs as B-blockers and lithium) interact with each other by triggering a specific immune response mediated by T-lymphocytes.Treatment of psoriasis is still very complex. Several treatments for plaque psoriasis are available as topical medications for mild to moderate cases of psoriasis (corticosteroids, vit D3 analogues, salicylic acid, dithranol etc.). Phototherapy is useful in moderately-severe psoriasis unresponsive to topical therapy alone. Systemic treatment is used for severe forms of psoriasis including immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate or cyclosporine, retinoids, etc., and in cases of contraindications or ineffectiveness of these drugs these severe forms of psoriasis can be treated with biological drugs such as adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, etc.The climatotherapy presents a safe and efficient alternative to conventional therapeutic modality for psoriasis. Climatotherapy treatment is based on healing capacities of natural resources.Climatic treatment includes balneotherapy and sun exposure. Balneotherapy represents a set of methods and practices (bathing, drinking, inhalation, etc.)