How to Prepare a Sea Salt Soak

Co-authored by Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD

Last Updated: December 17, 2022 References

Sea salt is known mostly for being a tastier alternative to table salt, but it also has medicinal and relaxing qualities as well. A sea salt soak can be used to treat minor infections and wounds as well as sterilize piercings and tattoos, whereas a sea salt bath soak can be as relaxing as taking a dip in the ocean. Salt soaks can even soothe psoriasis.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.} Sea salt contains no iodine, which makes it a perfect for creating saline solutions for keeping wounds clean. It can be stored in the bathroom to add to calming baths as well.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Medicinal Sea Salt Soak

1
Purchase 1 gallon (3.8 L) of purified water, or purify tap water at home. You can pour tap water through a water filter, or purchase purified water if you don't have access to one — just make sure the bottle is labelled as purified. You can find filter pitchers or faucet filters at most grocery and specialty stores. The filter removes chemicals that are added to normal tap water, which can affect the salinity of the solution.^{[2]
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Research source}
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Pour the purified water into a saucepan and boil it to sterilize it.^{[3]
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Research source} The boiling process will kill any living organisms, leaving you with sterile purified water.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source} If you bought distilled water instead of purifying tap water, it should already be sterilized.

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3
Allow the water to cool, and add 9 g (1.8 tbsp) of sea salt. After letting the water cool slightly, add sea salt and let it dissolve completely. If you need to prepare more medicinal sea salt soak, add another 9 g (1.8 tbsp) of sea salt for every extra 1 litre (4.2 c) of distilled water you will use.
- Try using Epsom salts to exfoliate and reduce inflammation. They may be more effective than sea salt.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.}
- A typical saline solution contains 0.9% salt content, similar to levels of salt in the human body.^{[6]
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  Research source} If your water has large chunks of salt left over, you need to either strain it out or add more water.
4
Pour the solution into a shallow cup or soak a clean cloth with it. Fill the shallow cup just enough to submerge the area you want to treat, such as a finger wound, or soak a clean cloth completely to dab over a larger area, such as a leg or an arm.
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Apply the soak to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day until it heals. You should expose the affected area to the soak for about 5 to 10 minutes, either by dipping the area in a shallow cup of the solution or dabbing the area with a soaked cloth.^{[7]
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Research source} A good rule of thumb is to do it once in the morning, once around lunch, and once before you go to sleep. This helps to ensure that you break up treatment equally throughout the day.
- Saline solutions are recommended for post-tattoo treatment, to reduce the chance of infection. Dab a clean cloth soaked in the solution onto the area to keep a fresh tattoo sterile.^{[8]
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- Saline solutions have also been known to help sterilize small wounds, such as piercings and minor infections on the hands, which may be easier to treat by dipping the affected area into a shallow cup.^{[9]
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  Research source}
- Salt soaks can help with conditions like psoriasis, eczema, hemorrhoids etc.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.}
- You can store the excess solution at room temperature in a sealed container to use for repeat treatments or for the future. The solution should last indefinitely as long as it remains in a sealed container.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Preparing a Sea Salt Bath Soak

1
Pour 453 g (1.9 cups) of fine grain sea salt into a bowl. Be sure to use fine grain sea salt or it may take a much longer time for the salt crystals to fully dissolve into the bath water when the time comes.^{[11]
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2
Add 120 g (1/2 cup) of the salt soak to a warm bath and let it dissolve. You should let it sit for around 10 to 20 minutes. This is about how long it will take for the salt to dissolve.
- If you would like to make your soak into a foot soak, simply pour 120 g (1/2 cup) of the salt soak mix in a hot foot bath and allow it to dissolve. It may take a few minutes as there is less water for the salt to dissolve into.
3
Take a bath with the sea salt soak when you need to relax and unwind. While the saline solution is intended for medical treatment, the sea salt bath soak is used for its calming effect and its medicinal effects. Stressful days, sick days, or days when you just want to unwind are perfect for whipping out the sea salt soak and making your bath a little more comforting.

Expert Q&A

Question

Does Dead Sea salt really work for psoriasis?

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego.

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Yes, it does work. Studies showed that the benefits are greater when the patients are exposed to the real Dead Sea compared to only salt water. It is believed that the effect is due to a combination of the salt and the sun exposure.
Question

Do salt baths help inflammation?

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego.

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Yes! Sea salt has been used for decades as a remedy for various inflammatory skin conditions.
Question

How do I prepare a sea salt soak?

Community Answer

Start running your bath. Pop in the sea salt once the water is hot. Then get in and enjoy your soak.

Warnings

Always wash your hands before handling the saline sea salt solution. The bacteria and dirt from your hands can contaminate the solution if you aren't careful, and can raise your risk of infection in your wounds.

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