KidsHealth video. Find out how bathing can help children with eczema. Can't see this video on YouTube? Try viewing it on Vimeo.
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Bath time can be a lot of fun and can be really helpful for your child with eczema.
Bathing once a day helps to clean the skin and prepares the skin for creams after the bath.
Remember not to use soap or shower gel as this can make eczema worse.
The bath should last about 10 minutes. The water should be warm not hot. It’s important to use a moisturiser or non soap product to wash the skin.
Remember to spoon out the moisturiser onto a dish or paper towel, then take the moisturiser and start washing the skin. Mix it with the water and gently wash the skin with the palm of your hand. You don’t need a flannel or a sponge - just gently clean the same way you would normal skin in the shower, around and around, from head to toe, making sure that you clean all areas including the face and the head.
When the bath is finished, have your towel ready. Pat your baby dry, don’t rub. Rubbing can further irritate the skin.
This is the perfect time to apply the steroid creams if they're needed but also to apply the moisturisers. Apply the moisturiser from head to toe.
Remember:
Use a moisturising wash or soap substitute.
Don’t use soap or bubble bath.
Pat the skin dry. Don’t share towels.
Apply eczema creams immediately after the bath.
If your child still has red, itchy, active eczema please see your doctor or nurse.
Bathing for children with eczema
Bathing can be really helpful for children with eczema. Bathing once a day helps to clean the skin and prepares the skin for creams after the bath.
Remember:
- use a moisturising wash or soap substitute
- don’t use soap or bubble bath
- pat the skin dry - don’t share towels
- apply eczema creams immediately after the bath
- if your child still has red, itchy, active eczema please see your doctor or nurse
You can print out an eczema action plan and take it with you when you see your child's health professional. Ask them to mark on the diagram where to put moisturiser and topical steroids on your child's skin.
Antiseptic baths 2 times a week can help prevent infection and improve eczema.
Acknowledgements
Our grateful thanks to the family in consultation with Dr Diana Purvis, Dermatologist, Starship Hospital, and all the other families whose generosity was essential in the making of these videos. Thanks also to Kidzhealth (private paediatric care) and to Allergy NZ for providing facilities and support for filming.
The information and video on this eczema page have been developed and approved by the Clinical Reference Group for the Paediatric Society NZ's Eczema Clinical Network, Te Rōpū Kiripai Hapori.
