Bathing with normal water is fine in neonatal jaundice. Neonatal jaundice is a skin manifestation of elevated total bilirubin values in the blood, a change in blood biochemistry that is not directly related to skin lotion. Bathing will not reduce or aggravate the degree of neonatal jaundice, so children with neonatal jaundice can be bathed normally with warm water and shower gel. Topical medicated baths are not effective in treating neonatal jaundice. If the jaundice is significantly higher than normal, the best way to treat it is with phototherapy or oral medication to reduce the yellowing. If the child is severely jaundiced and has a tendency to central system jaundice, blood exchange therapy is required.