A recent study found that frequency of bathing does not affect symptoms for individuals living with eczema. Published in the British Journal of Dermatology, these findings provide reassurance for patients, allowing them the flexibility to choose whether to bathe daily or weekly without concern for worsening their condition.
The study, known as the Eczema Bathing Study, was designed in collaboration with individuals affected by eczema. Researchers from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust led the initiative, which involved 438 participants from across the United Kingdom, including both adults and children. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one bathing six or more times a week and the other bathing just one or two times weekly.
Throughout the four-week study, participants continued their usual eczema treatments and recorded their symptoms weekly. The results indicated no significant difference in eczema symptoms between the two bathing frequencies.
Lucy Bradshaw, the study’s lead author and a senior medical statistician at the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, expressed optimism about the findings. “The findings of our study are great news for people living with eczema. It means they can choose a frequency of bathing that suits them,” she stated. The collaborative effort with eczema patients was particularly rewarding, as it addressed common concerns that had previously received limited attention in research.
Co-Chief Investigator Amanda Roberts, who has personal experience with eczema, remarked, “There are so many things in everyday life which have the potential to affect eczema. It is good to know frequency of bathing or showering is not one of them. One less thing to worry about.”
The Eczema Bathing Study is the first completed project within a broader five-year initiative known as the Rapid Eczema Trials, which began in 2022. This research project aims to address pertinent questions surrounding eczema management through citizen science. An Eczema Citizen Science Community has been established, encouraging participation from individuals across the UK to help design and execute a series of online studies. The next investigation will focus on the optimal duration for using steroid creams to manage flare-ups.
Matthew Ridd, a co-applicant and professor of primary health care at the University of Bristol, emphasized the significance of the study. “How often to have a bath or shower is such a simple but important issue that people with eczema often ask health care professionals for advice on. The Rapid Eczema Trials project has provided everyone with the best, evidence-based answer to this practical question,” he said.
Professor Marian Knight, scientific director for NIHR Infrastructure and director of NIHR Program Grants for Applied Research, praised the study’s patient-centered approach. “This study shows the value of the NIHR’s approach to putting patients and the public at the heart of everything we do. By working with people who live with eczema, the research team has been able to answer a question that has affected people’s quality of life for years,” she noted.
The findings are significant for the eczema community, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their bathing routines without fear of aggravating their condition. As the Eczema Bathing Study contributes valuable insights, the ongoing research under the Rapid Eczema Trials promises to further enhance understanding and management of eczema in the future.
For more detailed findings, refer to the study titled “Weekly versus daily bathing for people with eczema: results of the Eczema Bathing online randomised controlled trial,” published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
