Eczema: Washing every day or every week does not change the symptoms

The study originated from a recurring question raised by eczema patients by a dedicated British research group, the Rapid Eczema Trials How often should I wash? A new study answers this question: it doesn't matter.

The frequency of bathing or showering does not affect the severity of eczema.

Should you keep your skin very clean and wash every day to minimize eczema symptoms, or should you avoid drying it out with too frequent baths and showers? Of the almost 500 people with eczema included in the study, 55% didn't know, 29% thought it was better to avoid washing too often, and 13% thought the opposite (the others were lost to follow-up during the study).

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For one month, half of the participants washed themselves (bath or shower) at least six times a week, and the other half only once or twice. Each week, they reported their symptoms via questionnaire. As a result, the eczema severity score did not vary between the groups. The results of our study are excellent news for people suffering from eczema. This means they can choose the bathing frequency that suits them best." , comments medical statistician Lucy Bradshaw, first author of this work.

Short, lukewarm showers and baths

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This study, one of the few specifically dedicated to the effects of hygiene practice frequency on atopic dermatitis (the medical name for eczema), confirms the latest recommendations in force in our region. In France and in Europe, the 2025 version for adults as for children mentions that Showering or bathing every day does not change the severity of atopic dermatitis“.

In addition to frequency, learned societies also recommend that patients favour lukewarm baths or showers (especially not too hot), of a maximum of five minutes, with washing products without allergens or irritants with a pH between 5 and 6. Moisturizers should be applied immediately afterwards, when the skin is still slightly damp.