Epsom Salt Bath for Eczema Instructions

What is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salts dissolved in bath water have been used to relieve muscle soreness, arthritis, constipation, insomnia, treating stress, inflamed skin rashes and a variety of other ailments for hundreds of years. Named for the place in England where this type of salt is found, Epsom is called salt because of its chemical structure but is quite different than iodized table salt, Dead Sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, and other common salts. Epsom salt is a compound of magnesium, sulfate, and oxygen dissolves easily and quickly in water making it an excellent bath additive It is relatively inexpensive and you can purchase Epsom salt over the counter from regular drugs stores and most all-natural, or organic health food grocery stores.

Are Epsom Salt Baths Good for Eczema?

The reality is that there is not strong scientific evidence to support that Epsom salts specifically help treat eczema, but many people report feeling less stressed, have reduced skin inflammation and do not itch as badly after soaking in an Epsom salt bath. Eczema patients also say that soaking in an Epsom bath softens their skin and it feels less itchy. Scientists recognize that magnesium and sulfate are absorbed easily by the skin which contributes to the feeling of soothing and that exposure to magnesium naturally provides inflammatory benefits to the body.

Is an Epsom Bath Treatment Safe for Babies?

When used as a soak, Epsom salt is generally considered safe. If you've never had an Epsom salt bath, consider testing a patch of skin with Epsom (magnesium sulfate) and water first. Avoid submerging broken skin in an Epsom salt bath.

Eczema Epsom Bath Recipe and Instructions:

• Warm Bath Water:
  • Do not make the bathwater too hot. The temperature should be warm to the touch.
• Epsom Salt Bath Recipe:
  • Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a bathtub of between 20 = 30 gallons of water.
• Bathing:
  • Soak in the tub of water for approximately 15 minutes. Be careful not to get Epsom bathwater in the eyes, it will sting.
  • Rinse off with clean lukewarm water and the skin will feel silky.
• Post-Epsom Salt Bath:
  • Pat the skin dry using a soft organic cotton or bamboo terry towel.
  • Immediately apply any topical medication and/or moisturizing emollient specially formulated for treating eczema that is chemical and fragrance-free.
  • Cover the treated skin with eczema clothing or pajamas. Soothems are dermatologist recommended and a premium brand of eczema clothing and sleepwear made from a special eczema friendly fabric called TEWLTect^® Skin smart Fabric. This therapeutic blend of TENCEL™  infused with the biopolymer Chitosan and viscose made from organic bamboo and encapsulated in zinc oxide.