Bleach Baths

Q: Can you give me practical advice about bleach baths—how much bleach goes in the tub, do you rinse it off, etc.?

A: If you have chronic Staph infections or tend to get recurrent Staph infections, bleach baths are one way of holding that down. Generally we have patients use ¼ to ½ cup of bleach for a full tub of lukewarm water. For a baby bath, use a small capful of bleach or two teaspoons per gallon. Regular chlorine bleach that you find in grocery stores added to the water will help keep the Staph infections down. People stay in the bath for 5 to 10 minutes. We always tell people to rinse off with lukewarm water at the end. Right away when they get out, they need to pat dry and apply moisturizer.

Excerpted from the Ask-the-Experts Session, 2010 NEA Conference