January 13, 2010 Berkeley, CA. People with atopic dermatitis can now learn about the benefits of bleach baths to manage their skin condition.
Bleach baths have antibacterial properties that decrease the number of staph. bacteria (staphylococcus), such as MRSA, on the skin. This can reduce the number of atopic dermatitis flares and decrease the use of antibiotics to control skin infections.
Making a bleach bath is like creating a small swimming pool in your own bathtub. Instructions are simple and require only a bathtub, lukewarm water, and household bleach, such as Clorox™.
Bleach bath instructions are now available for dermatologists to deliver to their patients with atopic dermatitis. Dermatologists that use Vivacare’s “From Your Doctor” patient education service can display bleach bath information along with other patient handouts regarding a wide range of skin care issues, including atopic dermatitis, bleach baths, corticosteroids, itching, moisturizers, and general skin care advice.
In a 2009 study, researchers treated 31 patients (6 months to 17 years old) who had moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and signs of a bacterial skin infection for 14 days with oral antibiotics. Half of the patients also received bleach in their bath water (half a cup per full standard tub). All were instructed to bathe for 5 to 10 minutes twice a week for three months. There was rapid and significant improvement among the children who took the bleach baths.
About Vivacare
Vivacare is a patient education company based in Berkeley, California that supports the physician-patient relationship by helping medical professionals share practical health information with their patients, leading to improved clinical care and patient satisfaction. Over 2,000 dermatologists use Vivacare's "From Your Doctor" service to deliver health information regarding acne and other skin conditions to their patients.
