BACKGROUND: Eczema is inflammation of the skin. Eczema is also referred to as atopic dermatitis (AD), which simply refers to the likelihood to develop allergy of the skin that is inflamed. Eczema is most often seen in infants and children but may continue into adulthood or appear later in life. Contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis are all types of eczemas. No matter which type, eczemas cause itching and redness of the skin that could blister or peel. Eczema is a chronic condition that comes and goes as it pleases but is not contagious. About one out of every 10 children develops eczema, and over half of those will be over the condition by the time they are teenagers.

CAUSES: The exact cause is unknown, but research suggests that those children dealing with eczema do so because of a combination of conditions in everyday life, infections, allergies or family heredity. Soaps, detergents, perfumes, hot and sweaty skin, dry winter air with little moisture, scratchy fabrics and dust mites are just a few factors that may contribute to eczema.

TREATMENT: Treatments include moisturizing lotion to control dryness and itchiness. Stronger cases of eczema call for corticosteroids, steroid ointments or creams to calm inflammation. An antihistamine may be prescribed to control the itching, and if the scratching leads to infection, an antibiotic will be necessary.

TREATMENT IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM: A different approach to treat eczema is easily found in the laundry room: bleach. An eczema bleach bath can lessen symptoms of chronic eczema and is safe for both children and adults. For best results, doctors say add a half cup of bleach to a 40-gallon bathtub filled with warm water, soak the affected areas of skin for at least five to 10 minutes, dry skin thoroughly and apply a thin layer of moisturizer. Some other important steps to follow when treating eczema include: don't scratch the itch, keep fingernails short (less likely to break skin), take short baths or showers with warm water, gently pat body dry when out of the water, drink lots of water, wear loose clothing, manage stress and keep your doctor up to date about what triggers your flare-ups. Always consult your doctor before starting a bleach bath regimen.