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Epsom salt and broken skin

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by Asher, Feb 12, 2018.

  1. Asher

    Asher Well-Known Member


    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    I've never got into the whole Epsom salt thing but an Epsom salt foot soak is recommended by many in the athletic community for tired, achy and blistered feet post-event. While I'm not so interested in the "tired and achy", I'm curious about its effect on broken skin.

    Up til now, I'd be more likely to recommend normal table salt as a foot bath - looking more for an effect akin to normal saline. But given Epsom salt is MgSO4 and not NaCl, the two can't be seen as substitutes for one another.

    I'm curious to know whether Epsom salt is contraindicated on open wounds. Not diabetic ulcer type wounds, more just your torn and deroofed blister type scenario. So we're in the epidermis still (stratum spinosum, getting close to the basal layer), but obviously some blisters erode into the dermis with continued athletic insult.

    I read this critical synopsis of the research to date https://www.painscience.com/articles/epsom-salts.php which was very enlightening. But it focussed more on intact skin and how that's a tough nut to crack. Given that a torn or deroofed blister is a skin breach down to the level of the lower stratum spinosum, it's seems fair to assume it can permeate through that much easier than having to negotiate the corneum. So while an Epsom salt foot bath "feels nice", are there contraindications or adverse effects on skin health and skin healing? And indeed, is there potential for excessive rates of absorption via the broken skin which could lead to its laxitive effect?

    Thanks for any insights.

    Rebecca
     
  2. Dieter Fellner

    Dieter Fellner Well-Known Member

    I don't think there is any difference between table salt and epsom salts. In England our go-to recommendation was always table salt. In America it seems to be epsom salt. I think it's a cultural difference no more no less.
     
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