Bathing additives are regularly used for a range of inflammatory dermatoses that affect a large body surface area. Emerging evidence demonstrates that certain bathing additives have anti-inflammatory, skin barrier repair, antimicrobial, and antioxidative properties, all pertinent to atopic dermatitis. This review summarizes the mechanism and effects of Dead Sea salt, hard water, commercial baby cleansers, oatmeal, rice, and natural oils as bathing additives for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The use of these compounds seems to augment the benefit of traditional treatments while also reducing the need for and side effects of prescription modalities. Bathing additives are useful adjuvant treatments for atopic dermatitis. Benefits of these compounds are derived from anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative, and skin barrier repair properties.
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