How many bleach baths can you do?

• Diluted household bleach has been safely used for many years to help treat skin infections. A small amount of bleach added to the bath is recommended for conditions such as eczema, impetigo (school sores), boils, and infected wounds, to help reduce bacteria on the skin and improve the severity of disease.  

  Table of Contents Show

  • What you need
  • How to give a bleach bath
  • Possible side effects
  • Key points to remember
  • For more information
  • Common questions our doctors are asked
  • What you need
  • How to give a bleach bath
  • Possible side effects
  • Bleach baths recipe for eczema
  • Patients with eczema should have a bleach bath:
  • Key points to remember
  • Side effects and risks of bleach baths
  • How many bleach baths can you do hair?
  • How long do bleach baths take to work?
  • Are bleach baths damaging?
  • Can you do a bleach bath more than once?

  What you need

  • household bleach, 4.2% sodium hypochlorite  – do not use fragranced (e.g. lemon or lavender scented) bleach. 
  • measuring cup 
  • standard-sized bucket (10 litres)

  How to give a bleach bath

  • Fill the bath with tap water to the desired level using a standard-sized bucket. Count the number of buckets you use. Then mark your bath with tape so you don't need to use the buckets again. 
  • Add 12 mL of bleach for every 10 litres of water (final bleach concentration of 0.005%).
  • Let your child soak in the bath for 10 minutes.
  • Wash your child's head and face with the bath water, but do not immerse their head in the water. 
  • Wipe away any crusting or weeping at the infected area while your child is in the bath. Use a soft disposable towel (e.g. a Chux-type cloth) and throw it away afterwards.
  • Do not rinse your child's skin after the bath.
  • Use old or white towels to avoid possible bleaching of coloured towels.
  • Repeat the bleach baths as often as recommended by your child's doctor or nurse.

  Possible side effects

  Household bleach can sometimes cause a stinging or burning sensation on the skin. The instructions outlined in this fact sheet are for a very diluted bleach bath, which means there is less risk of stinging happening. The final bleach concentration is lower than a swimming pool, which most people can safely swim in without damage to their skin or hair.

  If your child does have stinging or irritation in the diluted bleach bath, rinse them off with plain water. Discuss this with your child's doctor or nurse before giving them another bleach bath. 

  Key points to remember

  • Diluted bleach baths are safe and effective in reducing bacteria on the skin.
  • Add 12 mL of bleach per 10 litres of bath water.
  • Do not rinse the skin after a bleach bath.

  For more information

  • Kids Health Info fact sheet: Impetigo (school sores)
  • Kids Health Info fact sheet: Eczema
    
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Dermatology Department: Publications

  Common questions our doctors are asked

  Can I just use a generic 4% concentration bleach - does it have to be a particular brand? 

  No particular brand is better than another, you can safely use most household bleaches as long as they are non-fragranced (e.g. lemon scented), but discuss this with your doctor or nurse.

  Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Dermatology department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers. 

  Reviewed July 2020. 

  Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au.

Disclaimer  

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

Why do it? Many people carry bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus on their skin. This is particularly common in children and adults who suffer from eczema.

Eczema is an itchy skin condition, often worsened by a bacterial infection. Staphylococcus aureus can contribute to the flaring of the eczema and to ongoing skin inflammation. Complete eradication of Staphylococcus aureus in patients with eczema is very difficult, however some therapies can reduce the number of organisms which live on the skin. The use of regular diluted bleach baths in people with Staphylococcus aureus infected eczema has been shown to effective and safe in reducing the number of skin infections and improving eczema control.

An eczema bleach bath can kill bacteria on the skin, reducing itching, redness and scaling. This is most effective when combined with other eczema treatments, such as medication and moisturizer.

What you need

• White King household bleach (4.2% sodium hypochlorite) – do not use lemon or lavender bleach
• Pool salt
• Bath oil
• measuring cup 
• standard-sized bucket (10 litres)

How to give a bleach bath

• Fill the bath* with tap water to the desired level using a standard-sized bucket. Count the number of buckets you use. Then mark your bath with tape so you don’t need to use the buckets again. 
• Add 12 mL of bleach for every 10 litres of water (final bleach concentration of 0.005%).
• Add 1-2 capfuls of bath oil per bath
• Add 100 grams (1/3 cup) of pool salt for each bucket (10 litres of water)
• Let the patient soak in the bath for 10 minutes.
• Wash the patient’s head and face with the bath water. You can immerse their head in the water as the concentration of bleach is very low and it will not cause any problems.
• Wipe away any crusting or weeping at the infected area while the patient is in the bath. Use a soft disposable towel (eg a Chux-type cloth) and throw it away afterwards.
• Do not rinse your child’s skin after the bath.
• Use old or white towels to avoid possible bleaching of coloured towels.
• Repeat the bleach baths as often as recommended by your health professional.

*Note:
If you do not have access to a bath, use a large watering can to make up the solution – pour over your skin after showering and do not rinse off.

Possible side effects

Household bleach can sometimes cause a stinging or a burning sensation on the skin. The instructions outlined in this fact sheet are for a very diluted bleach bath, which means there is less risk of stinging happening. The final bleach concentration is lower than a swimming pool, which most people can safely swim in without damage to their skin or hair.

If the patient does have stinging or irritation in the diluted bleach bath, rinse them off with plain water. Discuss this with your health professional before giving them another bleach bath.

Bleach baths recipe for eczema

If your patient has eczema, bleach baths can be helpful if the eczema is infected and difficult to control. Bleach baths for eczema also have oil and salt added – 1-2 capfuls of oil per bath and 100 grams (1/3 cup) salt for each bucket (10 litres).

Patients with eczema should have a bleach bath:

• Every day for one month, then
• Three times a week for one month, then
• Once a week for one month
• If the eczema starts to flare again, increase the frequency then wean off.

Key points to remember

• Diluted bleach baths are safe and effective in reducing bacteria on the skin.
• Add 12 mL of bleach per 10 litres of bath water.
• Do not rinse the skin after a bleach bath.

Side effects and risks of bleach baths

• People who are sensitive to bleach or have allergic asthma may find that bleach or chlorine fumes can irritate their skin or respiratory system.
• Bleach baths can be painful for people who have extremely dry skin
• Anyone thinking about incorporating a bleach bath into their own or their child’s eczema skin care routine should speak to a doctor or healthcare professional first.

Information contained in this article was obtained from:

• Children’s Hospital at Westmead
• The Royal Children’s Hospital
• The Mayo Clinic & The National Eczema Association

It is not the policy of the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc to recommend or endorse any product or treatment.
It is part of the role of the Association to provide information on a wide range of products and treatments to keep those involved with eczema as fully informed as possible as to all options available. For medical advice, consult your health professional.

How many bleach baths can you do hair?

How long do bleach baths take to work?

Are bleach baths damaging?

Can you do a bleach bath more than once?