A recent study published in the Archives of Dermatological Research found strong evidence that bleach baths could efficiently help in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). This controlled trial involved adults with atopic dermatitis to assess the impact of bleach baths on various aspects of the condition, including itch relief, skin barrier function and microbial composition.

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The participants in the trial were given instructions to take two bleach baths per week for a duration of 12 weeks, along with their regular treatments. The results showed that after the intervention period, over half of the AD subjects underwent a significant reduction in AD severity that was measured by the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI).

This study revealed marked improvements in itch severity and quality of life among the AD patients, with 87% reporting enhanced sleep quality which is often compromised by the relentless itching associated with the condition. Also, the bleach baths also demonstrated benefits for skin barrier function. The participants saw improvements in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum (SC) integrity which indicates enhanced skin barrier function that is crucial in managing AD symptoms.
While the bleach baths showed promise in reducing AD symptoms and improving skin barrier function, this study observed no significant effects on the microbial composition of the skin, particularly regarding Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). These findings underscore the comprehensive nature of AD treatment and highlight the potential of bleach baths as an adjunct therapy for managing the condition.

Reference:
Stolarczyk, A., Perez-Nazario, N., Knowlden, S. A., Chinchilli, E., Grier, A., Paller, A., Gill, S. R., De Benedetto, A., Yoshida, T., & Beck, L. A. (2023). Bleach baths enhance skin barrier, reduce itch but do not normalize skin dysbiosis in atopic dermatitis. In Archives of Dermatological Research (Vol. 315, Issue 10, pp. 2883–2892). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02723-1