The Healing Powers of Dead Sea Salts for Eczema: A Soothing Solution for Children

Looking for a natural remedy to soothe your child's eczema? Dead Sea Salts might be the answer! Rich in minerals, these salts are known to hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation and eliminate bacteria that cause flare-ups.

For children suffering with eczema, a soothing bath with Dead Sea Salts can offer relief and contribute to better skin health, providing a natural, gentle, and effective way to manage symptoms.

However, it's always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.

What is eczema?

Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a chronic skin condition characterised by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It's most commonly found in children, but can occur at any age.

The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it's believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

While there's no cure for eczema, treatments such as moisturisers, steroid creams, and immunosuppressants can help manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

However, there is a natural solution – and one that means you can avoid using harsh topical treatments such as steroid creams, which come with their own side effects. 

How does bathing in Dead Sea salts help eczema?

Renowned for their therapeutic properties, Dead Sea Salts have been used for centuries to treat various skin conditions. The mineral-rich salts come from the Dead Sea, and the high concentration of minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc, and potassium contribute to its healing properties.

How does bathing in Dead Sea salts help eczema? 

• Bathing in Dead Sea salts can help manage eczema symptoms due to the high concentration of beneficial minerals present in these salts. Here's how it works:
• Hydrates the Skin: Dead Sea salts help improve skin hydration by attracting and retaining moisture on the skin.
• Reduces Inflammation: The minerals in the salts, particularly magnesium and calcium, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the redness and swelling associated with eczema.
• Eliminates Bacteria: Some studies suggest that Dead Sea salts can eliminate certain types of bacteria on the skin, reducing the risk of infection and flare-ups.
• Improves Skin Barrier Function: The salts can enhance the skin's ability to act as a barrier, keeping out allergens and irritants that can trigger eczema symptoms.
• Exfoliates the Skin: Dead Sea salts also act as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells and encouraging the growth of new, healthy ones. 

Bathing Children with Eczema in Dead Sea Salts

Given the gentle nature of Dead Sea Salts, they can safely be used for children's baths. Here are some tips on how to do this:

• Age: Dead Sea Salt baths can be used from 6 months old onwards. If using in a baby bath, start with just a tablespoon of salt and build up concentration gradually.
• Washing your child: Children with eczema tend to be more sensitive to fragrance allergens and other ingredients in shower gels. We would recommend either using plain water to wash your child or using a more natural alternative like our Black Mud Soap, which is fragrance-free and has a high concentration of Dead Sea Mud.
• Dosage: Use about one cup of Dead Sea Salts for a full tub of water. For smaller babies or toddlers, use ¼ to ½ cup. Ensure the salts are fully dissolved before your child gets into the bath. You can't 'overdose' on Dead Sea Salt. The only risk factor is the stinging.
• Duration: Let your child soak in the bath for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the skin to fully absorb the beneficial minerals.
• Frequency: Depending on the severity of the eczema, baths can be taken daily.
• Moisturise: After the bath, pat the skin dry and apply a moisturiser immediately. This helps lock in the moisture and the beneficial minerals absorbed during the bath. We recommend a thick balm such as Sea Magik Natural Skin Softener overnight and Sea Magik Silky Smooth Body Lotion in the daytime.
• Patch Test: It's always a good idea to do a patch test first to ensure your child does not have any adverse reactions to the salts.

Caution: If skin is broken/irritated the salt water can sting when skin is initially immersed in water. Aim to build up tolerance by using a very small concentration of salt at first. Let your child guide you as to how much stinging is too much. As a rule, it is ok for salt water to sting a little initially but the stinging should wear off after a minute or so. It should not be unbearable, so please reduce the concentration as needed.

Remember, every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. But the healing properties of Dead Sea Salts are certainly worth exploring in the quest for eczema relief. It's always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.