It was in a moment of desperation that she finally found a solution, she tells SELF.
She tried a home remedy shed come across online: bleach baths.
Who are bleach baths for?
Credit: Amrita Marino
Their verdict: Yes, they do work a little better than water baths alone.
But it does make bleach baths something to consider if you have fairly severe symptoms.
He says that they can be an option for people like Ramosbut only in addition to theirexisting treatment.
If your eczema isnt that bad, they may be more of a hassle than a help.
If you have mild eczema, Dr. Chu says, its likely you wont see much benefit.
Ive seen it work wonderfully when used in between flares, she says.
You should definitely talk with your health care provider before taking the plunge.
So the safest recommendation will come from your doctor rather than online, Dr. Benjamin says.
double-check not to spill it or get it on yourselfyou should never put it directly on your skin.
Keep the bathroom well-ventilated (run a fan or open a window).
Do bleach baths hurt?
But Im happy I discovered [bleach bathing] since it brought so much relief.
Her first bleach bath didnt irritate her skin at all.
“There was zero discomfort in the process, and luckily I felt relief from my flare-up immediately after.
My skin was almost clear in just two days.”
For Raelle Brown, of Philadelphia, bleach baths were a good add-on at times when her eczema worsened.
People with eczema tend to have dry skin, according to the NEA.
While Brown found relief with bleach baths, she has since switched to bathing with Epsom or sea salts.
She sees it as more effective for her skin than diluted bleach.
The bottom line is, these types of soaks help some people.
The fact that bleach is cheap and easily accessible is an obvious advantage, too, Dr. Chu notes.
No bath additive, however, is a replacement for a good overall eczema treatment plan.
“They’re not a magic bullet, Dr. Chu stresses.
They have to be adjunctive to treatments that we’re more certain about.”
