Can salt water be used to help eczema?

This is a very common question from eczema sufferers. 

Answers seem to differ depending on which source you go to. To verify:

The answer is yes, but it still being researched.

Your skin is exposed to a number of different irritants and allergens each day. When you allow your skin to be exposed to salt water, it helps to kill off those irritants. Not only is it useful to kill unwanted allergens, but salt water can also help your skin's natural barrier, allowing protection of future irritants. 

Swimming In The Sea

It is said that ocean water could play a part in reducing infection through healing minor cuts and scratches. Although the subject is still be researched, many parents and eczema sufferers believe that being submerged into the sea water helps their skin a great deal.

Swimming In The Tub

Many doctors and dermatologists have found that it is beneficial to take salt baths although it is not the first thing that they want to refer too. This is because salt water treatments for eczema is still being researched today. No one knows how strong the salt water needs to be in order for it to be effective. 

Sea Salt

When referring to salt water baths, I don't want anyone to get confused. It's not a matter of just mixing normal salt into your bath water. If you plan on trying this method, you need to buy sea salt. 

Doctors are unable to tell how high the concentration needs to be in order for this to work. There are a lot of unanswered questions dealing with the subject.

More Info

This blog article should sum the subject up better than I can. It explains the topic in more detail and even tells you how you can make the sea salt solution for your tub.

It may even be to your benefit to read into the comments as well. Some of the information may be useful. You will see that some people back up the salt water theory.