Bleach Baths for Eczema Reviewed by Leading Dermatologists

Bleach baths offer an easy means of reducing the number of flares experienced by people with atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Now, dermatologists enrolled for Vivacare’s patient education service are informing their patients about the benefits of bleach baths and offering simple step-by-step instructions on their use. Several leading dermatologists have published their clinical opinion online regarding bleach baths for eczema.

Jeffrey Ellis, M.D. of Belaray Dermatology in Plainview, New York indicates that  he has found dilute bleach baths “to be very efficacious for patients with active atopic dermatitis.” Dr. Ellis suggests that his patients use “a half a cup of bleach in a full tub of water. Many patients also can benefit from going swimming several times a week in a chlorinated pool."

"I prefer the term 'swimming pool baths' for dilute bleach baths, said Jeffrey Poole M.D., of Poole Dermatology in New Orlean, Louisana. Dr. Poole added the “We in pediatric dermatology have been using this therapy for years with our patients with atopic dermatitis and eczema.  This is a very good adjunctive treatment for many children with eczema, especially those with frequent skin infections.”

The dilute chlorine used in bleach baths has antibacterial properties that decreases the number of staphylococcus bacteria (staph), such as MRSA, on the skin. This can reduce the number of atopic dermatitis flares and decrease the need for prescription antibiotics to control skin infections.

The clinical perspective of these leading dermatologists are made available through Vivacare’s “From Your Doctor” patient education service that publishes the expert opinion of over 3,000 dermatologists with the goal of providing patients with practical health information from the source they trust most.