David Hauswirth, M.D., The Ohio State University
Question: Does bathing dry out the skin when you have atopic dermatitis (eczema)?
Answer: Taking a bath when you have atopic dermatitis can be both good and bad for your skin. Bathing can dry out the skin if you have atopic dermatitis if you take a hot bath or shower. Also using soaps, especially scented soaps and lotions during bathing can significantly irritate the skin and dry out the skin.
Sometimes physicians will recommend that patients take baths, often in lukewarm where they remain in the bath for a long time soaking and absorbing water back into their skin. This is only helpful if a moisturizer is applied right after the bath to lock that water in. In general, bathing can dry out the skin unless it is done properly with a moisturizer to lock in the water and rehydrate the skin.
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