Bathing in water containing a small amount of household bleach has been shown to be surprisingly effective in the treatment of moderate to severe eczema.

This cheap, simple and safe treatment drastically improved the rash as well as reducing flare-ups, with patients showing a reduction in eczema severity that was five times greater than in those treated with placebos.

The improvement was so rapid in the kids taking the real bleach baths that the study was terminated early so that the children getting the placebo baths could have the same relief.

The researchers think that the bleach works by decreasing staphylococcus bacteria on the skin.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0427010810.htm

OMG - sounds a bit drastic. Wouldn't bleach degrade the skin and make it more leaky, thus worsening the problem long term? There are far better ways to kill staph bacteria - teatree oil for one. I've fainted with shock at the idea of putting a child in a weak bleach bath....I'm off to lie down!

Hi Micki

The researchers quoted above did only use 1/2 cup of bleach to a bath of water but, as you say, it is still a bit drastic, but that's conventional medicine!

Presumably you would apply teatree oil direct to the skin, as you would need rather a lot if adding it to a bath, but would you need to dilute it for direct application, and, if so, by how much?

Would colloidal silver also work, and what about grapefruit seed extract? Using 3-5 drops of Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract) in half a pint of water prevents cuts and wounds from becoming infected, so presumably this dilution would also work against staphylococcus bacteria on the skin of an eczema sufferer.

Hi John,

Only need about 6-7 drops of a pure organic tea tree essential oil dropped into the bath water and swished around well, then stay in it for about 10-15 minutes. Sweet Orange essential oil also works well and is one of the most antibacterial substances that exists - and cheap! You can apply teatree undiluted to the skin patches, but not orange oil, but I always think you don't want to spread any infection so a bath is safer. Perhaps put a bit of olive or sunflower oil in the bath with the teatree to help coat the skin as you get out of the bath and run around as nature intended for a bit to let it air-dry!

Colloidal silver (a spray is easiest) and grapefruit seed extract could work well too, although I wouldn't put the latter direct on the skin unless diluted as you say.