Spa Smrdáky in Slovakia: Balneology and rehabilitation for children

Spa Smrdáky for children

5-May-2011

The natural healing Spa Smrdáky is located in the west of Slovakia in countryside rolling with small hills, not far from the border with the Czech Republic and Austria. The capital city of Bratislava is 80 km distant and easily accessible by a motorway. For more than 175 years the spa has been known as one of the most efficient spas treating atopic dermatitis. The treatment and regeneration of this unpleasant disease is based on the unique, natural, healing and mineral water rich in hydrogen sulphide with anti-inflammatory effects which is able to mitigate itching and assist correct cellular division and keratinisation.

However, the spa does not treat only adults and has many child patients

Those, who would think that Spa Smrdáky treats only adults, are wrong. Children represent a large group of patients. The sanatorium Eva gives them all comfort with their own balneology and rehabilitation facilities and a school. It serves for children suffering from skin diseases, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, chronic eczemas, after-burn conditions and other dermatoses with an assumed positive impact of the spa treatment.

The sanatorium for children provides all the necessary treatments for the small patients under one roof: balneotherapy, phototherapy and skin treatment by ointments, creams or solutions.

The operation and specific features of the balneotherapy are adapted for children as a child’s organism and skin require a different and more sensitive approach and lower concentration of baths as well as an overall lesser intensity of the therapy. The beautiful spa park will certainly please child patients as it has adorned the spa for the whole time of its almost 180-year-old tradition. It is a suitable place for walks as well as games.

Diseases and conditions treated at Spa Smrdáky

Two diseases which are mostly treated in the department for children are worth mentioning – atopic eczema and psoriasis. According to the latest data, 2-3 % of the Slovak population suffers from psoriasis, and as much as 19 % from atopic eczema, with their numbers increasing in relation to the rising number of allergens in the environment.

What does it mean?

Atopic dermatitis (known also as atopic eczema) is a skin disease which is genetically conditioned. Its typical sign is manifested by loss of water in the skin which results in its dryness and severe itching. It is usually combined with an immunity disorder, some types of food allergy and external factors. The disease affects a patient especially by unpleasant itching and lack of sleep. Deterging soaps, bacteria and mites can also provoke the disorder of the skin barrier and its hyper-reactivity. The patient has to take everyday care to rub cream into the dry skin.

Psoriasis is a skin disease characteristic by excessive division and incorrect maturing of skin cells. The disease originates by a genetic predisposition. Risky and provoking factors play an important role as they initiate the disease. The symptoms are reddened patches on the skin of various sizes, covered by silvery-white plaques. Psoriasis may be treated locally, by phototherapy and overall therapy. Local therapy should be applied to local forms of psoriasis, while systematic medication should be indicated for patients with medium to sever forms of psoriasis.

Effects of the treatment to last at least one year

The best results have been achieved with spa treatments repeated every year. Effects of such treatment will last at least for half a year or even the whole year, depending on the subsequent life regime of the adult of child patient, illnesses and stress. However, despite the progress in research of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis treatments or treatments of other skin diseases, everyday care and responsibility for one’s health still remains highly important in case of such long-lasting chronic diseases.

Sanatorium for children

The sanatorium for children has 35 beds for boys and girls aged from 3 to 18, and it is open all year round. School-age children can attend classes in the sanatorium elementary school. 3 to 5-year-old children are accompanied by a parent during their spa stay and treatments.