A baking soda bath can provide temporary itch relief for eczema, and the National Eczema Association includes it as a recommended home remedy. The evidence behind it is limited, mostly observational, but many people with eczema find that soaking in a dilute baking soda solution calms inflamed, itchy skin enough to break the scratch cycle. It works best as one tool alongside proper moisturizing, not as a standalone treatment.
Why Baking Soda May Help Eczema
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is mildly alkaline. One proposed explanation for its soothing effect is that it counteracts the acidic environment created by skin bacteria, helping to rebalance skin pH. That shift may reduce the inflammatory signals that trigger itching and irritation. There’s also a hypothesis that the alkaline environment slows the rapid turnover of skin cells, which is a feature of inflamed, eczema-affected skin.
The research base is thin. Most of what we know comes from small observational studies and case reports rather than large clinical trials. A study of 30 patients who bathed in bicarbonate-rich mineral water for 12 days showed measurable improvement in skin symptoms, though researchers couldn’t pinpoint the exact mechanism. Separately, case reports have documented itch relief at various concentrations for people with chronic itching conditions. So while the science is promising in direction, it’s not yet strong in volume.
How to Prepare a Baking Soda Bath
The National Eczema Association recommends adding one quarter cup of baking soda to a warm bath. Stir the water until it fully dissolves before getting in. The water should be warm, not hot. Hot water strips natural oils from the skin and can trigger a flare.
Soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Going longer than that risks drying out your skin, which defeats the purpose. When you get out, pat your skin gently with a towel rather than rubbing. Leave your skin slightly damp, not bone dry.
What to Do Immediately After
The bath itself is only half the process. What you do in the minutes right after determines whether your skin actually retains moisture or loses it. This is sometimes called the “soak and seal” approach, and it’s the part many people skip.
While your skin is still slightly damp, apply any prescription topical medication your dermatologist has recommended. Follow that with a generous layer of unscented moisturizer, covering all affected areas. The moisturizer acts as a seal, trapping the water your skin just absorbed. If you skip this step or wait too long, the bath can actually leave your skin drier than before, since evaporation pulls moisture out of the top layers of skin.
Adjustments for Babies and Children
Children’s skin absorbs dissolved substances more readily than adult skin, so the concentration matters. For small children, use far less baking soda. Two tablespoons in a warm bath is a common guideline for infant-sized tubs. There is at least one documented case from 1981 of a baby developing a dangerous electrolyte imbalance after absorbing baking soda through the skin, so more is not better here.
It’s worth noting that no controlled studies have specifically tested baking soda baths in children with eczema. Pediatric dermatology researchers have flagged the need for trials to establish safe concentrations for kids. Until that evidence exists, keeping the amount minimal and the soak time short (closer to 10 minutes) is the cautious approach.
Who Should Avoid Baking Soda Baths
Baking soda baths are not safe for everyone. You should skip them if you have:
- Open wounds or skin infections. Broken skin absorbs baking soda more easily, increasing the risk of an electrolyte shift called alkalosis.
- High blood pressure or diabetes. Sodium absorption through the skin can be a concern.
- Pregnancy. The safety profile hasn’t been established.
Even if none of those apply, do a patch test first. Dissolve a small amount of baking soda in water, apply it to a quarter-sized area of skin, and wait 24 hours. If you see redness, increased itching, or irritation, this remedy isn’t for you. Some people with eczema find that any pH change aggravates their skin rather than soothing it.
If you feel lightheaded, weak, or drained during or after the bath, get out slowly and sit down. These can be signs that your body is absorbing too much sodium bicarbonate.
Realistic Expectations
A baking soda bath provides symptomatic relief. It can temporarily reduce itching and calm irritated skin, which is genuinely valuable during a flare when the itch-scratch cycle is making things worse. But it doesn’t treat the underlying immune dysfunction that drives eczema, and it won’t prevent future flares on its own.
Think of it the way you’d think of a cool compress: helpful, low-risk when done correctly, and worth trying alongside your regular eczema management routine. If you’re dealing with moderate to severe eczema that isn’t responding to basic care, a baking soda bath alone won’t be enough. It pairs best with consistent moisturizing, trigger avoidance, and whatever treatment plan you’re already following.