Dear Mommies
(For those of you not familiar with bleach bath, it is adding very little amount of clorox (i.e. 1/4 cup to bath tub) so mimicking a swiming pool concept. I started bleach bath because when last summer my boy used to swim in the pool, his skin was super clean, so I believe we are not dealing with any harmful/toxic level of bleach for bath).
My 2 year old boy has had moderate eczema (since 4 month y.o.) which thankfully is fading away by now. Because of some persistent skin irritation, I have started bleach bathing (which is a newly blooming theme in eczema field these days) him for a couple of weeks now (at a frequency of once per five days) but this particular skin condition did not go away, so I took him to pedi who diagnosed molluscum, saying it should go away on its own without any effective treatment. I asked him whether continuing bleach bath may aggrevate molluscum, but he said "no opinion" because he has never heard of bleach bath. Upon initiating bleach bath, although it did not improve the area later turned out to be molluscum, I noticed that his face (which has had continuous, mild rash and infection) has looked great and clean! So my question to any of you experienced with all these stuffs, if I continue on the regular basis bleach bath, would that negatively affect self-healing from molluscum viral infection at any rates?, or it would be actually beneficial as I am reading from the web molluscum may lead to secondary infection such as bacterial infection.
Also, do you know any good remedy for molluscum? So far, it has not given him itch/scratch in the affected area, just disgusting look, but he is getting a rash and itch in the neighboring area which I am not sure whether is related to molluscum at all or just his usual eczema rash...
BTW, the pediatric dermatologist who recommended bleach bath for his eczema is not currently available to answer my question nor can we see him any time soon.
Thanks so much in advance for your collective wisdom and insights!!
I am surprised your ped didn't say something about stopping the bleach bath.
Get some good organic coconut oil and put this on your child. Garden of Life makes a good one.
Another suggestion is finding out maybe he's allergic to something and stopping that. Processed sugars and dairy are 2 big causes.
best of luck!
I have to chime in here because there are some who have posted here who obviously have never seen their child hysterically crying and actually scratching their skin off due to eczema. To suggest that a multi vitamin can help cure eczema is ludicrous.
Eczema is something I have dealt with since my son was born (he is now 9). He was diagnosed at 6 weeks old at Chicago's Children's Memorial with severe eczema over 100% of his body; he learned to rub his head, hands, arms, feet and legs against his crib sheet and clothing at 1 month old - to the point where his skin was rubbed off (BTW - he could do this in a matter of one or two minutes).
When a child has eczema, the possibility of infection is so high because of the open skin splits/cracks and sores from scratching. Bleach baths are a safe and effective way of controlling infections so that your child is not on antibiotics every single day of his life! Now, we are not talking a high concentration of bleach (about 1/4 cup to a full luke warm bath) - you are not pouring the bleach in while your child is in the tub, nor are you pouring it on your child! Also, these baths are only once a week and only as needed. Aveeno bath may work to a point, as will sea salt baths - they seem to help keep flares from happening once the eczema is under control. But when flares do occur, a bleach bath can work wonders. You need to stay ahead of eczema, don't wait for a flare to rear its ugly head, by then you are playing catch up and your child is the one who is suffering the consequence. We use Aquaphor lotion (in mass quantities) at least twice a day and after every hand washing. Never use soap - at the most, Dove for sensitive skin can be used (it's not soap) and never, ever use anything that contains alcohol (like waterless had sanitizer) which will instantly dry out the skin (not to mention burn, burn, burn!). My son does need to use topical medications as well to keep his condition under control. Allergens will certainly cause flares too.
Now, he has also been diagnosed with MC (with open skin splits, no matter how well bandaged, he seems to get every infection that comes down the pike). I have found that the occasional bleach bath keeps the secondary infection down so the use of topical antibiotics is not needed; the baths also help with the itching.
My best advice, is to educate yourself - read everything you can about it - keep an open mind and use common sense. Research a good PEDIATRIC dermatologist who specializes in eczema and take advise from her or him as well.
Apple cider vinegar for the molluscum. Bith my kids had it, we did the expensive meds., cutting them off, and the only thing that worked was the vinegar. good luck! It does sting a bit, but so do the other methods. And molluscum is contagious-better to get rid of it before pool season.
I'm not sure about the molluscum however my daughter had pretty bad eczema from about 2 months old. She had it on the back of her head and it would just ooze clear liquid. Her legs, arms and face were very dry as well. She was put on anti biotics and steroids and was desperate, nothing was working! My dad went to a pharmacist and they suggested Aveno baby soothing bath treatment and the baby moisturizing lotion. Well I was so scheptical. My daughter's eczema cleared up almost immediately! I also recommended this to another mom and had the same results. I hope this helps.
Hi Y.,
Bleach is a neurological toxin, a respiratory irritant and will aggravate eczema and molluscum. Pleeeeease don't bathe your little one in bleach. Both conditions are systemic which means they are an effect of what is going on inside his body. A chewable ABSORBABLE multivitamin is okay at this age and will help. Avoiding processed foods will help as well.
As far as treating the two conditions, a detox of your home and his clothes and bedsheets will do wonders. High grade tea tree oil (melaleuca alternafolia oil, at least T36, C5) will also heal both conditions.
Hope I helped!
M.
Please quit bathing your CHILD in bleach!!!!!! Keep him slathered in a good lotion and let it go away on its own.
Hi Y., Although I do not have an answer to your question, I have an other suggestion. My son's skin responds very well to chlorinated pools. In fact he missed swimming lessons last, week due to an ear infection, and his skin started to break out. I think it may have the same effects as the bleach baths. Just a thought. Good Luck.
