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The 'soak and seal' protocol from National Jewish Health in Denver |
The following programme is recommended on the National Jewish Health website. It was brought to our attention by an article in the St Petersburg Times describing the trials of Ethan Russell, a five-month-old baby with terrible bleeding eczema. This was brought under control by a combination of bleach baths and an exaggerated version of the protocol below in which, after the bath (he had three a day) and the application of the moisturisers, Ethan was wrapped in wet pyjamas and then dry pyjamas over the top to seal in the moisture. Soak and Seal The most important treatment for dry skin is to put water back in it. Take at least one bath or shower per day Use a gentle cleansing bar or wash and avoid scrubbing your skin with a washcloth. Gently pat excess water away and immediately apply the recommended medicine or moisturizer to damp skin. Attempt to do this within 3 minutes. This seals in the water. (If you are applying skin medicine, do not apply moisturizer over it.) Moisturizers and Cleansers A skin cleanser is a bar or liquid used to clean the skin. Try products labeled for use with "sensitive skin." Dove® A moisturizer is a skin care product that adds moisture to the skin. Ointments and creams are recommended instead of lotion for people with very dry skin. Products that can help add moisture include: Aquaphor® Ointment Tar shampoos, such as T-Gel®, are often helpful for red, itchy scalp. For scalp scaling or flaking, T-Sal® or Head and Shoulders® may be helpful. June 2010 Click here for more research on the management of eczema |
