Seeing your little one suffer from eczema is never easy. With so many labelled treatments, natural remedies and promises, it's difficult to determine what to try next.
Have you ever thought of an eczema baby bath? Check out 5 different types of baths for babies with eczema below.
Apple Cider Vinegar Baths
Have you ever heard of apple cider vinegar baths for babies with eczema?
Apple cider vinegar is an astringent that can help remove bacteria, oil and other impurities from the skin. It is also full of rich compounds like riboflavin, vitamins, enzymes and mineral salts that support healthy skin.
To run an apple cider vinegar eczema baby bath, we recommend:
- Mixing 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar for every 3 1/2 litres of bath water.
- Soaking your little one in apple cider vinegar bath for 30 minutes.
- Patting skin gently (never rub or scrub) with a soft cotton towel.
Baking Soda Baths
Baking soda is also a wonderful natural remedy for eczema due to its ability to balance the skin's pH, decrease skin inflammation and reduce harmful bacteria. It is also known to be a natural antiseptic.
To run baking soda baths for babies with eczema, we recommend:
- Adding 1/4 cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath. Make sure ALL baking soda is dissolved.
- Soaking your little one in the bath for up to 20 minutes in order to let the baking soda penetrate the skin.
Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom salt baths have been used for years as a natural remedy to heal skin or infections. This salt contains both magnesium and sulfate which can offer local and systematic anti-inflammatory properties. Epsom salts have also been known to improve blood flow and oxygenation in the body.
Having your little one soak in an epsom salt bath can possibly reduce itching and calm red skin. However, it should be mentioned that epsom salts can actually act as a laxative, so it's important to make sure your little one doesn't swallow water. Swallowing water isn't harmful, but it can upset their little stomachs.
To run epsom salt baths for babies with eczema, we recommend:
- Adding 1/2 cup of salt to a lukewarm bath. Make sure ALL salt is dissolved.
- Soaking your little one in the bath for up to 20 minutes.
Oatmeal Baths
Oatmeal baths for eczema in babies is also a great idea to try out, especially if your little one is suffering from relentless itchy skin.
The best type of oatmeal to use for this eczema baby bath is colloidal oatmeal. This type of oatmeal consists of very finely ground, milled oatmeal that can be easily absorbed by the skin.
Note: If your little one is celiac or has a wheat or gluten allergy, this ingredient can actually irritate eczema and cause flareups. Prior to trying out this bath, we suggest reading about elimination diets to determine whether your little one might be suffering from food allergy triggers.
To try oatmeal baths for babies with eczema, we recommend:
- Adding 1/4 cup of colloidal oatmeal like this Conqueror Oatmeal Bath for Eczema into the bath until it is completely dissolved.
- Soaking your little one in the bath for up to 20 minutes.
Bleach Baths
Many doctors still recommend bleach baths for eczema babies to help reduce bacterial infection. However, we typically recommend trying out more natural baths (like above) before resorting to chemical and potentially toxic baths for babies.
If this is your last option, please make sure to listen and follow to your doctor's instructions.
Additional Bath Tips
It's important to keep water lukewarm and to not rub skin in order to avoid further inflammation or possible infection. Also critical is to use a soothing, non-stripping soap like this Emily Skin Soothers Eczema Soap that contains Chinese herbs and olive oil. Alternatively, you can try this Emily Skin Soothers Liquid Soap.
Relief Post Eczema Baby Baths
Baths are actually known to strip out skin's moisture, so it's important to use an emollient to restore its balance.
When trying out an eczema baby bath, make sure to opt for a moisturizer afterwards that is nourishing and soothing like this Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream. Buy it in combination with our Coconut and Sunflower Oil Soap for the perfect bath time treatment for little ones and their delicate skin.
You can also opt for itchy formulas like this Emily Skin Soothers for Itchy Eczema.
Eczema clothing can also provide relief for more severe forms of eczema. Try following up your little one's bath with these wet wraps or dry wraps. If you haven't learned about these wraps, we suggest reading about both wet and dry wrapping for babies.
Regardless of what type of bath you choose, it's important to stay consistent. We recommend repeating these baths 3-4 times per week for best results. As always, make sure to discuss these treatment options with your paediatrician to figure out the best course of treatment for your little one.
To learn about other treatments for babies with eczema, check out this post.
Resources
https://nationaleczema.org/get-facts-acv/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322278.p...
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(09)00493-9...
------------------
Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for The Eczema Company. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes.
