Why do it? Many people carry bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus on their skin. This exist especially usual in children and adults who suffer with eczema.
Eczema is an itchy skin condition, often worsened by a bacterial Disease. Staphylococcus aureus would contribute to the flaring of the eczema and also to continuing skin inflammation. Total eradication of Staphylococcus aureus in patients with eczema is extremely difficult, but some therapies can reduce the amount of organisms that live on the skin. The make use of of regular diluted bleach baths in people with Staphylococcus aureus infected psoriasis has been shown to effective and safe in reducing the number of skin infections and improving eczema management.
An eczema bleach tub can destroy bacteria on the skin, reducing Itching, redness and scaling. This exist most effective when coupled with Other eczema treatments, such as medication and moisturizer.
What you need
- White King household bleach (4.2% sodium hypochlorite) – do not use lemon or lavender bleach
- measuring cup
- standard-sized bucket (10 litres)
How to give a bleach bath
- Fill the bath with tap water to the desired level using a standard-sized bucket. Count the number of buckets you use. Then mark your bath with tape so you don’t need to use the buckets again.
- Add 12 mL of bleach for every 10 litres of water (final bleach concentration of 0.005%).
- Let the patient soak in the bath for 10 minutes.
- Wash the patient’s head and face with the bath water. You can immerse their head in the water as the concentration of bleach is very low and it will not cause any problems.
- Wipe away any crusting or weeping at the infected area while the patient is in the bath. Use a soft disposable towel (eg a Chux-type cloth) and throw it away afterwards.
- Do not rinse your child’s skin after the bath.
- Use old or white towels to avoid possible bleaching of coloured towels.
- Repeat the bleach baths as often as recommended by your health professional.
Possible side effects
Household bleach can sometimes induce a stinging or a burning Sensation on skin. The directions outlined in this fact sheet are for a very diluted bleach tub, so there is less chance of stinging happening. The concluding bleach concentration exist lower than the usual swimming pool, which most people can safely swim in without injury to the skin or hair.
If the patient does have distress or itching from the diluted bleach Bath, rinse them off with plain water. Discuss this with your health Professional earlier giving them another bleach bath.
Bleach baths recipe for eczema
If your patient has eczema, bleach baths can be helpful if the eczema is infected and difficult to control. Bleach baths for eczema also have oil and salt added – 1-2 capfuls of oil per bath and 100 grams (1/3 cup) for each bucket (10 litres).
Patients with eczema should have a bleach bath:
- Every day for one month, then
- Three times a week for one month, then
- Once a week for one month
- If the eczema starts to flare again, increase the frequency then wean off.
Key points to remember
- Diluted bleach baths are safe and effective in reducing bacteria on the skin.
- Add 12 mL of bleach per 10 litres of bath water.
- Do not rinse the skin after a bleach bath.
Side effects and risks of bleach baths
- People who are sensitive to bleach or have allergic asthma may find that bleach or chlorine fumes can irritate their skin or respiratory system.
- Bleach baths can be painful for people who have extremely dry skin
- Anyone thinking about incorporating a bleach bath into their own or their child’s eczema skin care routine should speak to a doctor or healthcare professional first.
