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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can sea salt help treat eczema?

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    Dermatology Eczema
    I have read online that dissolving sea salt in water can help with eczema. Should I be putting this in my bath? Will it irritate or dry out my skin at all?
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    Eczema Association Of Australasia

    The role of the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc (EAA) is to be a supportive body for eczema sufferers and carers, to increase public awareness … View Profile

    Sea salt can be beneficial in the way it helps to clear up infection and control bacteria on the skin, however often the extreme dryness it causes can actually make the eczema worse.  As with most treatments for eczema, sea salt used in the bath can work really well for some people and not at all for others. 

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    Prof Rodney Sinclair

    Dermatologist (Skin Specialist)

    Professor Sinclair is a Professor of Dermatology at the University of Melbourne and Director of Sinclair Dermatology. He is past-president of the Australasian Society for … View Profile

    Sea salt is an antiseptic.  If your eczema is weeping (usually a sign of infection) then bathing in the sea, or using a saline compress on the skin will help.

    If your eczema is severe, or not responding to your treatment see a dermatologist.

    Professor Rod SInclair
    Epworth Dermatology 

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    Dr Anne Halbert

    Dermatologist (Skin Specialist)

    Dr Anne Halbert is a paediatric dermatologist in Perth, Western Australia. After completing her dermatology training and becoming a Fellow of the Australasian College of … View Profile

    Sea salt used at home is not very helpful. Once eczema is under good control going to the beach is helpful, but it is not easy to replicate these conditions by bringing the sea salt home. Some of the improvement from going to the beach is due to sunshine on the skin.

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