Bleach Baths for Eczema: Do They Work and Are They Safe?
Would you try a bleach-infused bath for eczema relief? If you’re new to the concept, the idea of soaking in a bath with bleach water might bring up some questions. In particular, many people are curious about the safety aspects of such a practice. However, upon learning that bleach baths are in fact supported by eczema experts like the American Academy of Dermatology Association, and the National Eczema Association, your next question might be: is bleach bathing actually effective? To get to the bottom of these queries, here are some helpful things to know: So what exactly is a bleach bath and how does it work? According to the NEA, the idea behind bleach bathing therapy is that mixing a small amount of household bleach to your bathwater, can help decrease the amount of staphylococcus aureus bacteria on your skin, thereby reducing inflammation, itching, and infections related to eczema. Additionally, the AADA cites that this can help to prevent eczema flares in adults and children. But is bleach bathing really safe? The consensus would seem to be yes, as long as you follow proper protocol and are mindful of the following: ● Correct ratio for dilution: So that your bleach solution is mild enough for sensitive skin, you should only add ¼ to ½ of a cup of household bleach to full bath tub (about 151 liters) of warm water – or even less if your product contains a higher percentage of the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite. ● Limit timing and frequency: To prevent irritation and/or damage to delicate skin, the suggested amount of time to soak in a bleach bath is no more than ten minutes, and no more than two to three times per week. ● Avoid submerging completely: Bleach solutions should never be ingested, so you’ll want to be sure to only soak affected areas from the neck down and avoid getting bleach water near the mouth, nose, or ears. ● Watch for signs of irritation: If your skin is cracked or overly dry, bleach bathing may be too uncomfortable, causing a stinging or burning sensation. If at any point you notice any discomfort, it is recommended that you remove yourself from the water immediately, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and pat your skin dry gently, with a clean towel. ● Follow with soothing care: Because even bleach solutions can dry the skin, those with eczema will want to apply hydrating and moisturizing products immediately after, such as a body butter, lotion, or balm with high oil content. Other Options to Consider Despite being considered safe for eczema relief, it is worth noting that further research is needed to determine whether or not bleach baths are actually more effective than other therapies. In one recent study, results concluded that test subjects achieved similar reduction of eczema symptoms by bathing in just pure water. So with this in mind, if you’re hesitant to try a bleach bath, you may be able to get just as much benefit from trying other methods such as adding baking soda, oatmeal, salt, or a plant-based oil to bath water. References: https://nationaleczema.org/bathing-moisturizing-and-wet-wraps/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-8qVBhANEiw AfjXLrhwi4Ud_KDWFG4UCJZcEu98YcT-qssm5rhaBbSN2wUn7yKFtlAu7yhoCjMgQAvD_BwE https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/in-depth/atopic-dermat itis-proper-bathing-can-reduce-itching/art-20515223?utm_source=google_search&utm_medium =cpc&utm_campaign=mc_cs_ag_135051135295&utm_content=mc_cs_cid_590088401898 https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/childhood/treating/bleach-bath https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/bleach-bath-recipe-for-skinconditions https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323417#benefits-of-bathing-treatments https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(17)30958-4/fulltext https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5726436