How often should you bath a baby with eczema?

Can I bath my eczema baby every night?

Regular bath time is very important for your little one and their eczema. Bath time helps to cleanse the skin to stop irritation at the skin’s surface and also prepare the skin to absorb the most amount of hydration from applying moisturiser to dampened skin. Colloidal oatmeal bath soaks followed by an eczema moisturiser will cleanse and wash away dirt and other triggers while deeply hydrating and creating a protective barrier over the skin. 

Children with eczema often have irritated, itchy and red skin on different parts of the body. This can be because of an overactive immune system causing issues and deficiency in the skin barrier. This results in bacteria and other allergens being able to get into your child’s skin, as well as the skin not being able to retain enough moisture making the skin dry, itchy and irritated. Regular bathing can help to wash the bacteria and allergens away from the skin’s surface as well as increase the amount of moisture we are able to add to the skin.

How does regular bathing add moisture to the skin and help eczema?

Eczema and dry skin go hand in hand and the most effective way to hydrate your child’s body is by adding the extra moisture it needs – and there is no better way to do this than by bathing and moisturising to reduce flare ups and lessen the need to itch and scratch dry and irritated skin.

Important rules to follow with bathing and eczema:

• keep bath time short, no longer than ten minutes
• make sure the bath water is lukewarm – not too hot and not too cold
• avoid using soaps and bubble baths which can really dry the skin out by stripping it bare of its surface protection
• add a moisturising and cleansing bath soak to the lukewarm bath water
• towel drying by gently patting is effective as it leaves the skin slightly damp, ready for the moisturiser to be used, without drying out and irritating the skin too much
• moisturise the skin within two minutes of taking your child out of the bath
• did  I mention moisturise…

More tips for bathing an eczema child

• micro-fibre towels are good for drying the skin after a bath because they are so soft and don’t tend to ‘harden’ in the washing machine
• cuddle your child dry, rather than wiping the towel around their body
• always avoid waterless, antibacterial cleansers as they often contain chemicals that are rough on the skin and may increase the incidence of flare ups 

This blog post was brought to you and your family with love and care from 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.