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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 5, 2017 1:43:39 GMT
My 11 year old has had eczema for years. This summer he had some spots that were treated as skin infection. The pediatrician has prescribed oral antibiotics four times along with an ointment. He said it was due to the eczema--open skin getting infected. We saw a dermatologist about six weeks ago who said she thought it was probably eczema. She prescribed a different ointment that doesn't really seem To be helping the spots that I know are eczema. Last night he showed me the areas that have been a problem (on his butt) and it is bad again. He said he has been using the eczema ointment on it and it hasn't ever completely cleared up but is worse now. We have been using the antibiotic ointment last night and this morning. I am tempted to go back to the dr but know they will just prescribe another antibiotic and I don't think it is healthy for him to be on them so many times since summer.
Another thing that was suggested was bleach baths. I'm not really keen on the idea but am wondering if anyone has tried it? We have been working on reducing the chemicals in our home, food and skin products and soaking in bleach with open sores seems to be counterproductive to that. But who knows? Maybe it will work? Any thoughts or other suggestions?
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 5, 2017 1:47:34 GMT
When my DD had patches of eczema her doctor prescribed hydrocortisone ointment and that cleared it right up. Hers never got infected though. I would worry about bleach water getting splashed in the kid's eyes.
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Post by withapea on Jan 5, 2017 1:48:24 GMT
My daughter has terrible eczema. It's more under control now than it ever has been. ( she's 18 and has had it since she was a toddler ) Part of her maintenance/treatment is weekly bleach baths. I'm with you, sounds terrible and harsh but it's helped her.
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sallyj101
New Member
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Post by sallyj101 on Jan 5, 2017 1:48:47 GMT
bleach baths on open sores - one word - no.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
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Post by trollie on Jan 5, 2017 1:51:32 GMT
I have done the bleach bath thing on myself. Pretty sure you just add one cup of bleach to a full tub of water. Worked for me. Definitely wouldn't do it more than once a week. Really helped with itching.
eta - did not have open sores. Just very dry, itchy, red patches of skin.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by trollie on Jan 5, 2017 1:53:06 GMT
Who recommended the bleach baths?
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jan 5, 2017 1:53:37 GMT
Who was it suggested by?
I am pretty sure the bleach would be well diluted...a certain % that would prevent any sort of burning, etc. But would aide in the disinfecting. I say it really can't hurt.
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charlatan
Full Member
Posts: 319
Feb 7, 2015 3:53:07 GMT
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Post by charlatan on Jan 5, 2017 1:54:01 GMT
I'd say it's worth a try. The usual recommendation is something like a half cup of bleach for a full bathtub/quarter cup for a half-tub. It's so concentrated that it shouldn't affect his open sores.
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,714
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jan 5, 2017 1:54:18 GMT
My 11 year old has had eczema for years. This summer he had some spots that were treated as skin infection. The pediatrician has prescribed oral antibiotics four times along with an ointment. He said it was due to the eczema--open skin getting infected. We saw a dermatologist about six weeks ago who said she thought it was probably eczema. She prescribed a different ointment that doesn't really seem To be helping the spots that I know are eczema. Last night he showed me the areas that have been a problem (on his butt) and it is bad again. He said he has been using the eczema ointment on it and it hasn't ever completely cleared up but is worse now. We have been using the antibiotic ointment last night and this morning. I am tempted to go back to the dr but know they will just prescribe another antibiotic and I don't think it is healthy for him to be on them so many times since summer. Another thing that was suggested was bleach baths. I'm not really keen on the idea but am wondering if anyone has tried it? We have been working on reducing the chemicals in our home, food and skin products and soaking in bleach with open sores seems to be counterproductive to that. But who knows? Maybe it will work? Any thoughts or other suggestions? I would go to the doctor and have the skin tested to determine what bacteria is the cause. Then specific medicine can be given. Is this the same son as the one who has the mouth sores? I would have everyone in your family tested as it seems like there is something going around / being passed around, which is easy in a busy family. I would bleach the clothing, towels and bedding for everyone until this issue has been resolved. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 5, 2017 1:59:04 GMT
Who was it suggested by? I am pretty sure the bleach would be well diluted...a certain % that would prevent any sort of burning, etc. But would aide in the disinfecting. I say it really can't hurt. The pediatrician suggested it first and I thought he was crazy. But the dermatologist said the same thing when we saw her recently. I still think it is crazy. But maybe it will work? But is it really healthy to do? |
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Post by withapea on Jan 5, 2017 2:01:42 GMT
Who was it suggested by? I am pretty sure the bleach would be well diluted...a certain % that would prevent any sort of burning, etc. But would aide in the disinfecting. I say it really can't hurt. The pediatrician suggested it first and I thought he was crazy. But the dermatologist said the same thing when we saw her recently. I still think it is crazy. But maybe it will work? But is it really healthy to do? The bleach reduces bacteria which can both inflame eczema as well as lead to infection. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 5, 2017 2:02:04 GMT
My 11 year old has had eczema for years. This summer he had some spots that were treated as skin infection. The pediatrician has prescribed oral antibiotics four times along with an ointment. He said it was due to the eczema--open skin getting infected. We saw a dermatologist about six weeks ago who said she thought it was probably eczema. She prescribed a different ointment that doesn't really seem To be helping the spots that I know are eczema. Last night he showed me the areas that have been a problem (on his butt) and it is bad again. He said he has been using the eczema ointment on it and it hasn't ever completely cleared up but is worse now. We have been using the antibiotic ointment last night and this morning. I am tempted to go back to the dr but know they will just prescribe another antibiotic and I don't think it is healthy for him to be on them so many times since summer. Another thing that was suggested was bleach baths. I'm not really keen on the idea but am wondering if anyone has tried it? We have been working on reducing the chemicals in our home, food and skin products and soaking in bleach with open sores seems to be counterproductive to that. But who knows? Maybe it will work? Any thoughts or other suggestions? I would go to the doctor and have the skin tested to determine what bacteria is the cause. Then specific medicine can be given. Is this the same son as the one who has the mouth sores? I would have everyone in your family tested as it seems like there is something going around / being passed around, which is easy in a busy family. I would bleach the clothing, towels and bedding for everyone until this issue has been resolved. No, not the same one. They all had a skin infection this summer but this son keeps getting it back. For awhile he has spots here and there but for the last several months it is only on his butt. I'm not convinced that it is just eczema in that area. But when we saw the dermatologist it was still visible but not open so maybe it looked more like it to her then. I am going to see if I can send her a picture and see what she says. |
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by ellen on Jan 5, 2017 2:06:54 GMT
My daughter used to have terrible eczema. She was lucky enough to outgrow it around the age of five. We did do the baths with bleach and it helped with the itching. She used to scratch until she bled.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 5, 2017 2:07:08 GMT
When my DD had patches of eczema her doctor prescribed hydrocortisone ointment and that cleared it right up. Hers never got infected though. I would worry about bleach water getting splashed in the kid's eyes. We've used prescription hydrocortisone and pretty much every OTC cream that I have found. He is now using triamcinolone cream. He used the ointment version of that last winter and it seemed to work Better on his other spots (arms and legs) than this is. |
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Post by scrapApea on Jan 5, 2017 2:10:02 GMT
Wouldn't a bleach bath be similar to a chlorinated pool? One cup of bleach in about 50 gallons? I think it would smell like a hot tub or pool. Info here is interesting |
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,714
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jan 5, 2017 2:12:26 GMT
I would get the skin tested, a picture won't help. You need a specific formulated cream/medication to fight the exact bacteria.
Good luck!
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Post by Zee on Jan 5, 2017 2:12:36 GMT
If you've ever been in a swimming pool, you've already been in a bleach bath. That's what chlorine is.
Bleach baths have been around for a very long time. It's not like you're bathing in straight bleach, it's diluted. Two doctors have already recommended it, and I assume he's been swimming at some point in his life. Try it and see if he can get some relief.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 5, 2017 2:14:18 GMT
Thinking about it like a swimming pool sounds better than a bleach bath.  |
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Jan 5, 2017 2:32:13 GMT
They helped my daughter immensely when she was young. Her eczema isn't as bad as it once was (it was terrible for a few years) but when she has flare ups, a week of baths usually help.
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Post by seikashaven on Jan 5, 2017 2:55:21 GMT
I've struggled with eczema my whole life. When it gets bad, bleach baths work very well. Not as scary as it sounds.
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Post by wezee on Jan 5, 2017 3:00:27 GMT
Yep I've heard of it. DGS 3 has had open wounds too. the best thing so far is he takes a bath every night coated down with prescription lotion then we put wet pjs on then a set of dry pj's. I know that sounds absurd but it's the only thing that has worked.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
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Post by trollie on Jan 5, 2017 3:11:53 GMT
I will tell you, the bleach baths are what solved my problem. I had tried different creams and nothing worked, but weekly bleach baths for about a month really did the trick.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jan 5, 2017 3:14:04 GMT
What Z*G said. I don't get why everyone is freaking out. cripes. It has been recommended by 2 Drs. It's been around for years. People have used it, and it's worked. The chance of it inflaming the exzema or whatever it is, is about the same as him using the other ointments, or using nothing. It can't hurt. Maybe it can help. It's basically a no lose situation. whatever it could possible come back as, with an expensive test...MRSA, Staph, fungal, whatever. A bleach solution could possible help.
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Post by verdepea on Jan 5, 2017 3:25:56 GMT
My daughter has excema since she was an infant. She had bad flare ups. She got impetigo and staf infections from itching like crazy. It was mainly on her legs and ankles and feet. It would come and go but it never really cleared up.
I finally took her to the dermatologist once a month for an entire year. The dermatologist was a kind old doctor who would talk to her and give us samples and coupons all the time. Krioger has the cheapest co pays. My DD listens to other people better than Me.
We did antibiotics when the skin was infected, bleach baths (it's only a capful), lots of ointments, Zurtec at night for itching (she would scratch in her sleep. Right after the shower put on topical ointments, then the Cereve cream while his skin was still wet. We would also put on hot socks to help the ointments sink in. You could have him up a warm hand towel over his but while laying down playing a game on a phone in his room for 15 minutes. It's old school, but it works.
I think the consistency really helped her stay on top of it. She finally started seeing results and it's now under control. She still has dry sensitive skin, but no huge flare ups as before. It was a huge pain to go once a month, but WELL worth it. At his age he needs support and encouragement meant from others to stay on top of it.
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Post by jemmls4 on Jan 5, 2017 3:40:42 GMT
I used to work in a laboratory. We would use a 15-20% bleach solution to clean our counters. Bacteria can adapt to all that unit-bacterial gel, spray etc. but bleach water will always kill it. With a low concentration (like others have said a cup to a bathtub full) the bacteria think it's still water, and the bleach is carried through the cell wall, but since it's not pure water it kills the bacteria.
If you're nervous go even lower with say a 1/2 cup to a full tub. maybe work up to a cup to a full tub. I think there's enough anecdotal evidence to at least give it a try.
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Post by jumperhop on Jan 5, 2017 5:29:21 GMT
I am a fan of bleach baths for eczema!
Jen
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Post by mommc23 on Jan 5, 2017 7:18:05 GMT
I am a fan too! We did bleach baths for my daughter's eczema. It helped so much with flare ups and itching. The bleach is very diluted and I would read to her while she soaked so she didn't get all busy and splash around. It also helped to put Cerave lotion on straight away after the bath. We're talking seconds of her coming out of a warm tub, she would get slathered down and then warm jammies over the lotioned skin.
Those two things helped get it under control. I would definitely try it!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 12:24:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 12:05:53 GMT
Are you sure it isn't a yeast infection?
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Post by nnnsmom on Jan 5, 2017 12:51:31 GMT
Yes - we were told by our Dr & derm to do it. I also remember reading a story years ago where they were doing an eczema study where some kids were taking the bleach baths and the other group wasn't and it was working so well I think it said they stopped and had both groups use the bleach baths. It immediately got better when we tried it with DS and now his eczema is gone.
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Post by *sprout* on Jan 5, 2017 15:40:31 GMT
My friend's daughter takes bleach baths during the winter for severe eczema. Her skin cracks and she often scratches until she bleeds. During the summer months her eczema is pretty under control because they have a pool and she'll go swimming all summer long.
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