Bleach Baths Lead to Relief for Eczema Patients

Children with eczema suffer from chronic skin infections that include red, itchy and inflamed patches of skin. Most of the time this is caused by Staphylococcus aureus which some of you may recognize as the leading cause of most Staph infections. It is a spherical bacterium found commonly in the nose and on the skin of a person.

A recent article published in the BBC news followed a study of 31 children who suffered from eczema and found a simple technique to provide some relief.

Children who were given diluted bleach baths, as opposed to normal baths, saw significant improvement in eczema on the parts of their bodies that were submerged in the bath. Though potentially extremely dangerous, this simple treatment could make a huge difference in these children’s lives.

Studies before have proven a direct correlation between the severity of eczema and the number of bacteria on the skin. The bacteria cause inflammation and weaken the skin barrier between the environment and the tissues of the body.

For this particular study, the researchers assigned half the patients with Staphylococcus aureaus to take baths with ½ cup of sodium hypochlorite per tub for 5-10 minutes twice a week for 3 months. The other half took 5-10 minute baths twice a week for 3 months without the added bleach. In addition to the baths, the doctors prescribed a topical antibiotic ointment or a dummy ointment for them to place on their nose (which is one of the top sites for growth of bacteria).

The severity of eczema in the patients who took the bath and got the real ointment reduced 5 times more than those who were on the placebo. However, no signs of improvement existed on the areas of the body that were not submerged during the bath (head and neck).

Dr Amy Paller from Northwestern University was the leader of the study and described the bleach as having antibacterial properties that decreased the number of bacteria on the skin. The best thing about the baths is that they prevented the eczema from flaring up again.

The downside to this treatment is that bleach is dangerous and could cause enormous health risks to the children. With careful observation and in the hands of an expert, however, this treatment could change many lives.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8015995.stm