Help for Eczema: Surprising Advice

I received a letter from a mother in St. Clair, Missouri, who reported that she found that her daughter’s eczema (a skin condition we talk more about here) improved with daily bathing.

Eczema is a condition with dry, sensitive skin. Conventional pediatric wisdom has been that less bathing is better. It’s true that with long baths, where the skin gets pruny, bathing less is better. Long baths dry out the skin. Nevertheless, frequent short baths without soap can help hydrate the skin, especially when followed immediately by a moisturizer. A humidifier can also help. Keeping the skin moist can make a big difference.

Thanks for writing, Monica