Use of bleach baths for the treatment of infected atopic eczema.

Abstract

Atopic eczema is one of the most common skin disorders in young children and also affects adults. Staphylococcus aureus infection is the most frequent complication of atopic eczema and is involved in the worsening of the disease. Antibiotic therapy against S. aureus has been an important component of treatment for atopic eczema but there are concerns about antibiotic overuse and increasing bacterial resistance. This has led some clinicians to recommend the use of homemade remedies such as bleach baths as an adjunctive treatment for patients with infected atopic eczema, despite the fact that there have been few published studies in this area. Balancing safety concerns with efficacious treatment is of particular importance in the paediatric population. This review discusses the historical use of bleach in medicine as well as its recent use for atopic eczema. Further, the chemistry and safety of bleach as well as alternative therapies are examined.

• Authors: Tanya M Barnes, Kerryn A Greive
• Journal: The Australasian journal of dermatology (Australas J Dermatol) Vol. 54 Issue 4 Pg. 251-8 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1440-0960 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 23330843 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Authors Australasian Journal of Dermatology © 2013 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Sodium Hypochlorite

Topics

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (adverse effects, chemistry, therapeutic use)
• Baths
• Dermatitis, Atopic (complications)
• Humans
• Sodium Hypochlorite (adverse effects, chemistry, therapeutic use)
• Staphylococcal Skin Infections (complications, therapy)
• Staphylococcus aureus