A 3-month, randomized, investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of intranasal mupirocin ointment and sodium hypochlorite baths in improving eczema severity in patients with clinical signs of secondary bacterial infections. The placebo group received intranasal petrolatum ointment and plain water baths. Thirty-one patients (aged 6 months to 17 years) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and clinical signs of bacterial infection were enrolled. Oral cephalexin was administered for 4 days prior to randomization. The primary endpoint was change in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score. The prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in this population was 7.4% from skin cultures and 4% from nasal swabs. The EASI score decreased significantly ...