Understanding the Impact of Water on Eczema: Unveiling the Effects of Bathing

In the journey of caring for our children's skin, hydration plays a crucial role. We're all familiar with the importance of ensuring they drink enough water to maintain well-hydrated skin. However, have you ever wondered about the external effects of water when it comes to bathing or showering? Join us on a journey of discovery as we delve into the intricate relationship between water and eczema. In this enlightening blog, we unravel the impact of water on eczema-prone skin, offering insights that can empower you to provide the best care for your child's skin health. Let's dive in and uncover the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of each bath or shower.

The benefits of water for eczema

Water plays a valuable role in supporting eczema-prone skin. It helps by gently eliminating triggers and irritants that linger on the skin's surface, often triggering discomfort and itching in our little ones. This soothing effect reduces the urge to scratch, which is essential for preventing potential infections.

Furthermore, water has the remarkable ability to soften the skin. This moment, during and immediately after a bath or shower, offers a prime opportunity to maximise skin hydration. By utilising nourishing bath products and rich moisturisers, we can effectively seal in moisture, providing the skin with the nourishment it craves. This simple yet impactful routine helps safeguard your child's skin from dryness and discomfort.

Bathing your baby with eczema-prone skin can have several benefits:

• Hydration: Bathing helps to hydrate your baby's skin, which is crucial for managing eczema. When their skin is properly hydrated, it becomes less prone to dryness and itching, which are common issues with eczema.

• Cleansing: Gently bathing your baby helps to remove dirt, allergens, and irritants that can accumulate on their skin. This can help reduce the risk of flare-ups caused by external triggers. Add the Itchy Baby Co. Natural Oatmeal Bath Soak while running the bath - it's packed full of nourishing colloidal oatmeal, which hydrates the skin and helps wash away triggers that cause eczema flare-ups.

• Relief from Itchiness: Warm water can temporarily relieve the itchiness that often accompanies eczema. It can soothe the skin and provide a sense of comfort for your little one.

• Open Pores: Bathing can open up the pores of the skin slightly, allowing the Itchy Baby Co. Eczema Moisturiser to penetrate into the skin more effectively. This can enhance the effectiveness of the treatments prescribed by your healthcare provider.

• Preparation for Moisturisation: After a bath, when the skin is slightly damp, it's the perfect time to apply moisturisers. This locks in the moisture from the bath and helps create a protective barrier on your baby's skin, preventing excessive dryness.

Remember, while water can be beneficial, it's important to keep baths short (no longer than 10 minutes) and use lukewarm water to avoid further drying out your baby's skin. Also, opt for gentle, fragrance-free baby cleansers and moisturisers that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin. 

Other points to consider when bathing your little one:

• Test the temperature: The temperature of the bath or shower should be lukewarm. Hot or very warm temperatures will dehydrate the skin and can increase your child’s body temperature which might irritate their skin and cause them to itch and scratch.

• The impact of water quality: Water quality and hardness vary across Australia and globally, impacting eczema. Research indicates that water high in minerals like magnesium and calcium, often found in harder water, might contribute to skin dryness and potentially trigger eczema symptoms. It's important to note that while not a direct cause of eczema, such water conditions can exacerbate the condition and lead to skin dryness. Even in regions with softer water, the presence of chlorine and certain minerals can still lead to some degree of skin dehydration. Understanding these dynamics can assist in tailoring your approach to eczema management for the best results.

Using bath time to help manage eczema

Colloidal oatmeal has a long history in soothing irritated and inflamed skin and can go someway in compensating for the effects of water quality and hardness. Colloidal oatmeal absorbs a lot of water when wet and creates a lovely milky consistency in water that gently settles on the skin to help it retain moisture.

This blog post was brought to you and your baby with love by Julia and the Itchy Baby Co. team. X

Disclaimer: Information provided is of a general nature only, and you should always consult your medical professional.