Eczema: Mayo Dermatologist Says Bleach Baths May Help

Okay, I was always taught to "only bleach the white clothes". I learned the hard way about bleach spills on nice colorful dark clothing. Sometimes I would add a little bleach to my mop water when I had to scrub the scuffed up tile floor in the basement. It seemed to work well on the tough stains and dirt. I never dreamed that bleach would be recommended for bath water, unless perhaps it was for punishment.

Well, it turns out that for years some doctors have advocated diluted bleach baths to assist in managing eczema, a skin disease often characterized by dry skin patches that may turn red, intensely itchy and scaly. Dr. Lawrence Gibson, a Mayo Clinic dermatology specialist, commented on bleach baths in an article posted last August (2009).

I have provided the link below.

I typically recommend more conservative measures of treatment to my patients that have eczema. This includes aggressive skin hydration,  avoidance of harsh soaps and periodic use of topical steroid cream. Although I am aware of the use of bleach baths for treatment of eczema, I generally leave it up to my local dermatology specialists to guide my patients in treatment if the usual approach fails.

The linked article is encouraging if an adult or child has not had an adequare response to treatment for eczema. Bleach is cheap; the baths are not to be done daily, you don't have to worry about side effects of drowsiness (as you would with some oral medications) and let's face it, you will be cleaner than ever.

As Dr. Gibson mentioned at the end of the article, consult your doctor before considering bleach baths. Risks of skin irritation, burning, irritation of the eyes (accidental splash?) would be a concern.

Again, none of the above comments are to be regarded as medical advice. All of my postings and links are strictly meant for providing medical information, and not medical recommendations. Always consult your doctor before trying new treatments or medications.

Link to:

Dr. Gibson on Bleach Baths for Eczema

Asthma: Adult Women Often Have a Worse Prognosis

Did You know young male children tend to have more severe asthma compared to young females? Although this trend has been reported in many articles, it is reversed in adults. Yes, adult women have more severe asthma when compared to adult men. Why is this?

All the reasons for this disparity are not clear but many asthma experts believe female reproductive hormones have a lot to do with it. I recently posted an article on this topic on MyAsthmaCentral.com.

Click on this link to learn more: (Asthma: Women Vs. Men)

To the women: Has your asthma worsened over time?