Eczema and Bleach Baths

My mom swears that none of her kids had eczema when they were babies, but all 3 of MY kids had it. It must come from my husband's side then. However most people I know have kids that have had some form of it when they were babies. Some kids get it very mild, and some kids get it pretty bad. As an RN, I have had quite a few friends come to me and ask me for advice on their childrens' eczema. I have heard many other mothers complain about the battle they have with their kids' eczema. So I can assume it is a widely experienced condition (1 in 5 kids is the statistic). I think one of the best things you can do for your children's eczema is moisturize your kids skin RIGHT AFTER they get out of the bath/shower. Pull them out, towel dry, then apply moisturizers before doing anything else. Moisturizers like Eucerin, Aquaphor, and Cetaphil creams are really good for eczema. Generally your "creams" are going to be much more effective than "lotions". Sometimes you can use a mild anti-inflammatory cream (1% hydrocortisone) or your doctor can prescribe a stronger one. However long term use of those can thin the skin, so it's not recommended to use them too often. Two years ago the new thing in treating eczema was bleach. Say what? Yes, bleach. Research has shown that bleach baths have improved many cases of eczema. The theory behind the bleach bath is that sometimes natural bacteria on the skin can be irritating causing the skin to react making eczema worse. With bleach baths, you are reducing the number of bacteria on the skin to reduce the irritation. Interesting, huh? The common recommendation is to:

1. Add 1/2 c. of bleach to 40 gallons of water (to the overflow drain in a regular sized tub)
2. Soak the affected areas (nothing above the neck though) for 5-10 minutes.
3. Take bleach baths 1 - 2 times per week.

And remember, don't forget to moisturize right after!
Another positive to bleach baths is the protection from staph bacteria. In some cases the scratching of the skin allows staph bacteria to enter the skin causing an infection that must be treated with antibiotics. A growing # of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) cases are emerging. Bleach baths help to decrease the chances of being infected by staph. The best part is that bacteria can't grow resistant to bleach either. Though bleach baths are considered safe, there are a few people who should avoid them (ex. if they have broken skin). You should always get your doctor's okay before implementing them.