THERMAL FISH SPRINGS

Psoriasis Treatment & Skin Diseases Sivas - Turkey

 

WHAT IS PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a persistent and chronic skin disease which has a tendency to be genetically inherited. The word comes from ancient Greece and means "to itch". Red eruptions appear on the surface of the skin and begin to itch. These areas form plaques over the reddened lesions. The plaques resemble multi-layered scales of skin. Psoriasis varies in intensity from a few random spots to a massive outbreak covering the entire body and requiring hospitalization.
In some cases, psoriasis is so mild that people don't know they have it. At the opposite extreme, severe psoriasis may cover large areas of the body. Psoriasis cannot be passed from one person to another, though it is more likely to occur in people whose family members have it.

Types of Psoriasis;

• Nail Psoriasis 

• (Nail) Scalp Psoriasis

• (Scalp) Plaque Psoriasis (Vulgaris psoriasis, the most common type)

• (Plaque) Pustular Psoriasis

• (Pustular) Guttate Psoriasis

• (Guttate) Inverse Psoriasis

• (Inverse) Erythrodermic

• (Erythrodermic) Psoriatic Arthritis

• (Psoriatic Arthritis) Plaque Psoriasis: The most common type of psoriasis is called plaque psoriasis. It is characterized by raised, inflamed (red) lesions covered with a silvery-white scale. The scale is actually a buildup of dead skin cells. The technical name for plaque psoriasis is psoriasis Vulgaris (Vulgaris means common). Plaque psoriasis may appear on any skin surface, though the knees, elbows, scalp, and trunk are the most common locations.

• Guttate Psoriasis: Guttate psoriasis is characterized by small red dots (or drops) of psoriasis. It often appears on the trunk, arms, and legs. The lesions may have some scale. Guttate psoriasis frequently appears suddenly following a streptococcal infection or viral upper respiratory infections. There are also other events that can precipitate an attack of guttate psoriasis: tonsillitis, a cold, chickenpox, immunizations, physical trauma, psychological stress, illness, and the administration of antimalarial drugs.

• Inverse Psoriasis: Inverse psoriasis is localized in the flexural surfaces of the skin, e.g., armpit, groin, under the breast, and other skin folds. Typically, it appears as smooth inflamed lesions without scaling and is particularly subject to irritation due to rubbing and sweating.

• Erythrodermic: Ordinarily erythrodermic psoriasis appears on the skin as a widespread reddening and exfoliation of fine scales, often accompanied by severe itching and pain. Swelling may also develop.

•  Pustular Psoriasis: Pustular psoriasis is characterized by pustules (blister-like lesions of noninfectious pus) on the skin. The pus consists of white blood cells in the skin. It is not an infection, and it is not contagious. It may be localized to certain areas of the body, e.g., hands and feet, or it can be widespread. It tends to go in cycles of 1) erythema (reddening of the skin), 2) formation of pustules, and 3) scaling of the skin.

• Psoriatic Arthritis: About 10 percent of the people who have psoriasis on their skin also develop a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation and swelling primarily in the hands, feet or in larger joints such as the knees, hips, elbows, and the spine. It may cause stiffness, pain, and joint damage.

• Scalp Psoriasis: Scalp psoriasis affects at least half of all people who have psoriasis. Generally, the scalp will have plaque psoriasis characterized by elevated, inflamed, lesions covered with silvery-white scales

• Nail Psoriasis: Psoriasis can affect both the toenails and fingernails. Commonly it appears as pits in the nails of various sizes, shapes, and depth. Sometimes the nails develop a yellowish color and become thick. The nails may crumble easily and be surrounded by inflammation. Another possible symptom is a detachment of the nail from the nail bed.

 

 

TREATMENT PROGRAMME

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The springs were firstly noticed by people from neighboring villages in the early 1800s. The springs were a kind of reed-bed until 1917. By chance, a shepherd who was wounded on his foot sees his wound healed by the water of the spring. this fact gets the attention of the public and primitive pools were built. Later on, around the 1950s very simple buildings were constructed. In the 1960s very springs were taken over by the local administration of Sivas and several lodging facilities were built. Kangal Fish Springs is of a particular place amongst the other thermal baths found within our country. This thermal, unique in the world is famous for curing the disease world psoriasis.

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The miraculous way of treatment by the fish which are in the thermal waters 36-37°C increases its fame since this thermal is the last sort of hope for skin diseases which up-to-date science of medicine can not cure today. Skin diseases such as acne, eczema, and psoriases are cured by Cyprinion macrosomic (fish) 2-10 cm in length and by Garra rufa.

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Those having treatment in the thermal baths for the first time will be surprised when they notice that the brown, grey and beige colored fish surround them and begin to clear up the spots on the skin. For patients to be fully accustomed to intakes 2-3 days. The fish actually nibble on the area of skin affected and might cause little pain at first, but then this feeling subsides. For the best results, it is recommended that patients spend a total of 8 hours a day in these pools. It is also necessary to drink plenty of thermal spring water on an empty stomach (daily 1,5 lt). This type of treatment has no side effects and medication should not be taken during treatment.

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The water has been reported as being beneficial in rheumatic disease, neurologic disorders (neuralgia, neuritis, paralysis), orthopedic and traumatological sequelae (fractures, joint trauma, and muscle disease), gynecological problems (by lavage), skin diseases, urolithiasis (by drinking), and psychosomatic disorders (a report from the Clinic and Institute of Physical Therapy and Hydrology, Faculty of Medicine Ankara University, March 2, 1967.

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Wide interest in the doctor fish encourages people with neurological and rheumatic diseases to visit the hot spring to immerse themselves in its pools. A school of fish surround the body and strike and lick it. The initial pleasant sensation and relaxation of “micro-massage” is replaced by a tingling sensation over the skin. This massage is given particularly by the younger fish, which need many more nutrients for their rapid growth.

The role the doctor fish can play in therapeutic medicine deserves proper study.

 

The Thermal contains hotel facilities in 4 buildings. It is present 137 rooms (134 normal, 3 suits). The springs have 300 beds in 2 motels and one hotel. A suitable area for 50 tents for camping t are 16 special baths. In winter there is a tube way between bath and hotel. The springs contain 5 pools one being in half Olympic size. All seasons open.  There is a TV room, a restaurant (200 people), a market (food, vegetable, fruit, newspaper, cigarette, drink), a coffee shop and a playground for children.

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