To be shocked that BabyCenter advise me to bathe my baby in bleach?!

[wobblyweeble82]

I'm a bit astounded to be honest. DD is 6 months and has a little bit of eczema. Nothing worthy of a GP visit - not yet at least - so I thought I'd have a google to see if there's anything I can do to ease it rather than go down they hydrocortisone route just yet. Found an article on BabyCenter and lo and behold:

Read the What Can I Do To Treat My Baby's Eczema section halfway down the page

I'm not disputing the study or evidence. It just left me agog that it was so blase about it ... Frightens me the internet, sometimes.

(Not posting and scarpering btw - got to do the school run and parent's evening but shall return later this eve)

Hmm.

Doesn't sound good.

whaaaaat????

I have eczema myself which is why I'm sure thats what DD has. but what if I was just plucking a diagnosis out of thin air and gave this one a shot?!

My skin is always better after I have been to the pool for a swim.

Yes, this hit the news a couple of years ago BBC article here, but I've not seen much about it since. Perhaps it didn't live up to early promise?

just I have really bad eczema on my hands and arms, and bleach stings! A lot!!!! Plus always makes it worse!!

I read it and it doesn't seem overly dangerous. It's two teaspoons per gallon, so it's very dilute.

The dangerous thing is that some parents are stupid enough to read it and think that more bleach will work quicker.

well, the article links to a study in a Pediatrics journal, says to dilute it very well, and compares it to freshly chlorinated swimming pool.

so not as bad as your title makes out.

Edith Thanks for that. the important bit though is the quote at the end telling people not to put bleach in their children's baths willy-nilly!

I'll be honest, I couldn't tell you how much a gallon of water looks like in a bath tub.

Shocking, especially when I think of the adults I know whose eczema flares up after they've been swimming
And even with my mostly normal skin I find swimming pools drying and everything I've read about eczema is moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

Here's the study

It's to prevent/treat infected eczema, which I guess makes sense. Most of the time my ds's mild eczema isn't infected though so I don't think it would make much difference.

But yes, the thing to stress is that it's very dilute.

Bad grammar there, but you know what I mean.

And it's probably Milton not Domestos!

Fair enough, it may have been effective in a trial but how many stupid people could read that and put their baby in a strong bath of bleach or rub bleach on the eczema itself?
Quite irresponsible of Babycentre I think considering it says its only to be done under the guidance of a doctor but then goes on to tell you how to do it yourself.

As long as it is not infected, sore and weeping Aveeno is the answer - it's a miracle cream! Totally sorted by DS excema on his face. Can buy most places but Dr will also put it on repeat prescription for you. Give it 2 weeks - I'm sure it will make a difference!

Just the bog standard lotion btw. Not lavander or the like..

BBC report from when the study was published. It was widely reported at the time.

Aveeno is fab stuff - so are oats in an old pop sock in the bath!!

Exactly Teddy. I couldn't tell how many gallons of water go into my bath or the DC's so how could I possible get the measurements right? I'm not disputing the evidence one iota, just the lackadaisical approach offered by Baby Centre.

I find that DD's skin is worse when she has been swimming actually. But who am I to argue with a doctor who has done a study and all.

They could perhaps have explained the dilution better. Although they are using US measures - 1/2 cup per full tub seems a bit vague to me. Depends on how big your bath tub is.

And I am surprised that it is the main advice, with the others just add ons.

I thought "Milton, maybe" too, but still a bit . IME keeping the skin clean with pure water, making sure thoroughly dry, and mild moisturising is the answer.

Would back up Aveeno and oats in bag in bath! Both are FAB!