Naftalan therapy contraindications, indications and possible risks

Who Naftalan therapy is usually considered for

Before looking at contraindications, it helps to understand the indications. Naftalan therapy is traditionally used for chronic conditions in a stable phase, when there is no acute inflammation or flare. The resort physician considers the diagnosis, the stage of the disease and other health conditions before prescribing any procedures. The more precisely the diagnosis is described, the easier it is for the physician to give a preliminary opinion.

The benefits reported by patients, such as less scaling, itching or stiffness, vary from person to person and may not last. Scientific evidence is limited, so Naftalan is best seen as supportive therapy that works alongside the regular treatment prescribed by your own doctor. This is worth keeping in mind when weighing the possible benefit and harm of a course.

• Chronic plaque psoriasis and some other chronic skin conditions outside a flare.
• Joint pain and stiffness, for example in osteoarthritis.
• Back and neck pain related to degenerative changes of the spine.

Commonly listed contraindications

The list below covers the contraindications most often mentioned for Naftalan baths and applications. It is a general guide and not a complete medical list. The resort physician assesses each case individually and may allow or refuse procedures depending on the details of your health. Only the physician can tell you what applies in your case.

If you have one of these conditions, or are not sure, mention it when you first contact us and include the relevant reports. It is far better to clarify this before buying tickets than to discover a problem after arrival. This also applies to conditions that may seem minor to you now.

• Cancer or suspected cancer.
• Severe heart and vascular disease, including heart failure.
• Severe uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Pregnancy.
• Acute infections and fever.
• Blood disorders.
• Active tuberculosis.
• Severe kidney or liver failure.
• A flare of a skin disease, in some cases.
• Individual intolerance to Naftalan.

Why the examination on arrival matters

Even when documents have been reviewed in advance, every patient is examined by the resort physician on arrival. The doctor checks blood pressure, the heart, the skin and the general state of health, and may order additional tests. Only after this examination is the programme of procedures confirmed. This is why it is worth bringing the original reports and your usual medicines with you.

This step protects the patient. Naftalan baths are warm and place some load on the heart and blood vessels, and crude Naftalan is used for a limited time for safety reasons. The physician sets the temperature, the duration and the number of procedures, and may change the plan during the course if needed.

Temporary and permanent limits

Some contraindications are temporary. An acute infection, fever, a flare of a skin disease or a period of unstable blood pressure may simply mean that the course should be postponed until the condition settles. In such cases the physician may suggest a later date or a gentler programme. Postponing the course in such a situation is wiser than risking a setback.

Other limits are usually permanent or long term, such as cancer, severe heart failure or serious blood disorders. In these situations Naftalan procedures are generally not prescribed. Pregnancy is a contraindication for its whole duration, and the question of treatment can be discussed with the physician at a later stage.

What documents to send before the trip

Sending documents in advance allows the resort physicians to give a preliminary opinion and helps avoid a wasted journey. Recent documents are the most useful, ideally from the last few months. Translations are not always needed at the first stage, and we can help with them. If some tests are out of date, they can be repeated at home or on arrival, as agreed with the physician.

MedAzerbaijan reviews these documents, passes them to the resort physicians and tells you whether a course looks reasonable before you plan the trip. The final medical decision is still made by the physician after the examination on arrival. If the physicians have questions, we pass them on to you and help gather any missing information.

• A short description of your diagnosis and how long you have had it.
• Recent discharge summaries or specialist reports.
• A list of current medicines and doses.
• Recent blood tests and an ECG.
• Imaging of the joints or spine where relevant, such as X ray or MRI reports.
• Information about allergies and previous reactions to treatment.

Children and older patients

For children, the resort physician decides on the minimum age and the programme. The programme for a child may be adapted, and parents should send the reports of the paediatrician or dermatologist in advance. A child with an acute illness or fever should not start a course until fully recovered. Decisions about a course for a child are made with particular care.

For adults, age alone is not usually a reason to refuse. Older patients often have several conditions at once, such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes, so the physician looks carefully at the whole picture. A detailed list of medicines and recent heart tests are especially important for this group.

Possible reactions during a course

During a course the body may react to the procedures, and it is important to know what to watch for. Any unusual symptom should be reported to the physician the same day, and the physician may adjust the programme or pause it for a while. The reactions that physicians most often warn about are listed below.

Such reactions are usually monitored by the resort staff. Patients should not extend the time in the bath on their own or use crude Naftalan outside the procedures. Following the schedule set by the physician is the simplest way to keep the course safe. If you feel unwell, it is better to skip a procedure and see the physician than to push through.

• Redness, itching or a rash on the skin.
• Inflammation of hair follicles in areas treated with oil.
• A temporary increase in joint or back pain during the first procedures.
• Tiredness, dizziness or changes in blood pressure after a bath.

Frequently asked questions