Should You Use Bleach Baths to Treat Atopic Dermatitis?

preparing bleach bath for atopic dermatitis flareJozef Polc/AlamyWhen it comes to atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common form of eczema, bathing in a diluted solution of bleach may be part of an effective treatment plan, as surprising as that may sound.

Research has shown that taking baths with a small amount of bleach added can reduce itch and disease severity in atopic dermatitis.

Initially, researchers assumed that the bleach must be eradicating certain kinds of bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus (aka staph), known to be involved in AD. But research later showed that the concentration of bleach used in bleach baths isn't actually strong enough to kill S. aureus. It's now it's believed they may instead work by lessening symptoms of inflammation and improving the skin barrier.

"For someone with atopic dermatitis, a diluted bleach-bath regimen may lead to improvement in symptoms and signs of AD, such as itching, redness, scaling and crusting. The evidence for improving patient outcomes, such as frequency of flares, sleep and quality of life, is less certain," says Jane Stives, MD, a dermatologist at Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee.

Here, find out more about why bleach baths may help relieve symptoms of AD, and get expert tips on how to take one safely.

Make your laundry routine eczema-friendly.

Bleach baths have been an add-on AD treatment for some time. "Bleach baths are one of the older approaches for the treatment of eczema flares, [used because] they are easily accessible by most patients … are low-risk, and are inexpensive," says Lauren Skudalski, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut.

Research indicates that bleach baths may strengthen the skin barrier, which is compromised in people who have AD. As mentioned, they may reduce itch and disease severity too. Bleach baths may also have an anti-inflammatory effect on skin. However they may work, they're known to ease symptoms, which is why they're often suggested to people with AD.

But adding bleach baths doesn't mean that you can skip the other pillars of AD treatment. "Diluted bleach baths are an adjunct, not a replacement for standard therapy. Moisturization and appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment are the foundation of treatment," says Dr. Stives.

One small study of 15 people with AD found that twice-a-week bleach baths for 12 weeks led to 87 percent of participants reporting improved sleep, while just over half saw a reduction in eczema severity and the amount of affected skin, as well as significantly less itch. The researchers did not find evidence that the bleach baths helped with the imbalance in the skin microbiome (collection of bacteria and other organisms), however.

After a bleach bath, you may notice an improvement in the way the eczema looks on the skin, Dr. Skudalski says. This means a reduction in the redness and thickness of a rash, she says, as well as how much skin is affected.

Here's how to prepare a therapeutic bleach bath safely:

Use lukewarm water, not hot. Hot water can make the skin of people with AD even more prone to dryness.

Use regular-strength (6 percent) household bleach. Steer clear of concentrated bleach.

Use a measuring cup to add the bleach to the bathtub. Precision matters. Adding too much bleach to the bath can irritate the skin, while adding too little may not be effective.

Use the correct amount of bleach. For a full bathtub of water, use half a cup of bleach. For a half-full tub of water, add a quarter cup of bleach. For a baby or toddler bathtub, add 1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water.

Never apply undiluted bleach directly to skin. Pour the bleach into the water while the tub is filling up. Don't get in until the bathtub is full and bleach has been poured in.

Ask your doctor how long and how often you should soak in the tub. Most dermatologists recommend a 5- to 10-minute soak. Skudalski says that bleach baths can be taken two to three times per week, but always double-check with your physician.

Don't scrub or rub skin. Avoid using brushes, loofahs, or scratchy washcloths.

Pat your skin dry after the bath. If you're using topical medication for atopic dermatitis, apply that immediately after the bath, then moisturize the skin while it's still slightly damp, says Stives.

Always talk to your doctor before trying a diluted bleach bath for AD, to make sure it's right for you.

Are bleach baths your only option? Not necessarily. "Clinical trials comparing diluted bleach baths with plain water baths have produced conflicting results. Some demonstrate greater improvement with bleach, while others find similar or even greater improvement with water alone," says Stives.

In fact, one review of five previous studies found that bleach baths do not appear to be more effective than water-only baths. The authors of the review noted that more large-scale research is needed to determine which is more effective.

"A 5- to 10-minute warm bath can hydrate the top layer of the skin, loosen scale or crust, and remove sweat, allergens, irritants, and bacteria," Stives says. "Applying moisturizer immediately afterward helps retain that water."

Stives also doesn't recommend alternatives like salt water or diluted vinegar baths instead of bleach baths, due to a lack of research that proves their benefits. "For select patients, I may recommend colloidal oatmeal baths [instead]. These can be useful for soothing itch and irritation," she says.

Colloidal oatmeal is broken down into tiny pieces, so that it dissolves in water, making it ideal for use in the bath. Oatmeal has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and to help hydrate the skin, and baths with colloidal oatmeal are known to help with itch in particular. Oatmeal also has prebiotic effects, which means it can help support a healthy, balanced skin microbiome.

When you have atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, diluted bleach baths may help reduce itch and the severity of the condition.

It's important to talk to your dermatologist first before trying a bleach bath, and to dilute the bleach properly.

Alternatives, such as plain warm water or colloidal oatmeal baths, may also be an option if you prefer not to use bleach.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Johnson J. Bleach Baths for Atopic Dermatitis – What We Believe, What We Know, What We Don't Understand. National Eczema Association. March 3, 2025.

Stolarczyk A et al. Bleach Baths Enhance Skin Barrier, Reduce Itch but Do Not Normalize Skin Dysbiosis in Atopic Dermatitis. Archives of Dermatological Research. September 27, 2023.

Atopic Dermatitis: Bleach Bath Therapy. American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Bathing and Eczema. National Eczema Association. March 20, 2025.

Chopra R et al. Efficacy of Bleach Baths in Reducing Severity of Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. November 2017.

Moncayo-Hida J. Should You Try a Colloidal Oatmeal Bath for Your Eczema? National Eczema Association. April 3, 2025.

See Our Editorial Policy Meet Our Health Expert Network

Susan-Bard-bioSusan Bard, MDMedical ReviewerCastle Connolly Top Doctor

Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sin…

Laura CaseyAuthorLaura Casey has been a reporter-researcher in the health space for over a decade. Her work for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Self, Vogue, Glamour, and Teen Vogue …

See Our Editorial Policy Meet Our Health Expert Network