'Bath daily' advice for eczema children

If your child has eczema it is fine to give them a dunk in the bath every day, as long as you apply lots of moisturising emollient cream to their skin afterwards, say US researchers.

Some experts have said infrequent washing might be better because too much washing can dry out the skin. They say while it is best to avoid too much soap, a daily soak is fine.

A proviso to the advice is to "smear" after you have gently pat dried, meaning slap on plenty of moisturising lotion after the bath to seal in the moisture. Bathing can remove surface dirt, irritants and allergens.

Applying specially-designed moisturiser immediately afterwards keeps the skin soft and moist, which will help avoid problems such as infections and dry, cracked skin, they explain in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Parents should use their own judgment as well. If daily bathing does not appear to help their child's eczema, or they would rather not do it, they can switch to less frequent baths or showers. If their child's condition gets worse they should seek their doctor's advice.

Soak and smear

- Use lukewarm water - it is more soothing than hot water, which can sting

- Avoid harsh soaps. Instead use "sparing" amounts of a pH balanced skin cleanser

- Do not scrub the skin clean, wash it gently

- Towel dry by gently patting

- Apply emollient immediately after this - emollients are not the same as cosmetic moisturisers and are designed to be used for skin conditions, such as eczema.