From Vincent Iannelli, M.D.,
Your Guide to Pediatrics.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

While some doctors still don't recommend daily baths for children with eczema, that can be impractical, especially if you have an active and messy toddler.

The good news is that most kids with eczema can take a bath each day.

The trick is to have him take a warm bath (or shower) and:

• limit the bath to no more than 10-15 minutes
• use a moisturizing soap, like Dove, or a soap substitute, like Cetaphil and avoid harsh or perfumed soaps
• after your child gets out of the bath, within 2-3 minutes, gently pat him dry and then liberally use a moisturizer all over his body. This is very important, so that you 'trap' the moisture from the bath into your child's skin. And remember that creams and ointments, such as Aquaphor, are usually better moisturizers than lotions or oils.
• remember to use any prescription medicines for an eczema flare, such as a steroid or Elidel or Protopic, before the moisturizer. Ideally, you would wait about 20-30 minutes before putting a moisturizer over other prescription medications.