Bleach - sodium hypochlorite baths decrease bacteria (bugs) on the skin. This can help improve active eczema and prevent skin infection.
When the skin is dry, red, and itchy or infected (active eczema).
Twice a week. See your doctor or nurse if skin is irritated by the bath, or if infection occurs.
Bleach is sold as household cleaner. Choose one that is plain and has no added fragrance or detergent. They come in different strengths. Bleach gets weaker over time so you may need to replace with a fresh bottle
Make sure you store the bleach where children cannot reach it.
Value Extra Strength Bleach
Buy at: New World, Pak'n Save, Four Square
Strength: 4.2% bleach
Clor-o-gene
Buy at: New World, Pak'n Save, Four Square
Strength: 3.1% bleach
Necessities Bleach
Buy at: The Warehouse
Strength: 2.1% bleach
Work out the amount of bleach to add to the bath.
See your doctor or nurse if your child's skin is irritated by the bath, or if infection occurs.
You can print out bleach bath instructions (PDF, 1.19 MB) [1].
This content has been developed and approved by the Paediatric Society NZ's Child and Youth Eczema Clinical Network, Te Rōpū Kiripai Hapori.
This page last reviewed 24 August 2023.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/sites/kidshealth/files/pdfs/Bleach_baths_for_Eczema_08.2023.pdf
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/eczema
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F1627%3Flanguage%3Dmi