4 Reasons Your Child’s Skin Is Irritated

As a mom, your children are precious to you, and you want to do everything you can to keep them safe and in good health. However, you may not be aware of the different skin irritants and pollutants present in your home that could lead to potential health risks, including rashes, asthma attacks, and allergic reactions. 

From hot water and household products to your home’s indoor air quality, consider the following list of possible culprits to help reduce your child’s chances of experiencing a skin irritation.

The Water Is Too Hot

 Although taking a bath or shower with hot water can feel relaxing for your children, the hot water can also inflame their skin, leading to redness, itching, peeling, and rashes. Hot water also affects the skin’s ability to retain moisture and strips it of essential oils and proteins, causing dryness and making your children more susceptible to an infection. If you want to keep their skin hydrated and healthy, opt for lukewarm water instead and keep the shower or bath time to a minimum.

Your Laundry Detergent Isn’t Hypoallergenic

You may not realize that your detergent could be the reason for your child’s irritated skin. Some detergents contain added perfumes and dyes that come into contact with kids through their clothes, bedsheets, towels, and other washable fabrics. Unfortunately, these ingredients can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, with symptoms such as redness, itchiness, and rashes.

The best way to reduce your child’s risk of contact dermatitis is by using a mild detergent that’s hypoallergenic and free of fragrances. This type of detergent is gentle on the skin and a healthier alternative to common laundry products.

Your Soap Is Filled With Harmful Chemicals

If your child has sensitive skin, you may want to reconsider buying antibacterial hand soap. This particular product is often made with triclosan, an ingredient that can provoke eczema, asthma, and a variety of allergic reactions in children. Formaldehyde, a preservative found in soap, is also a potential danger to your little ones, as it can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs. As with your detergent, your hand soap should be free of fragrances and made without harmful chemicals.

Your Indoor Air Contains Allergens

Does your child suffer from asthma attacks and allergic reactions in the home? If so, these health concerns could be a product of poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Common triggers you and your children should look for include:

• dust
• dust mites
• cockroaches
• mold and mildew
• pet dander
• pollen

One way to tackle indoor pollutants is by scheduling routine HVAC system service at least twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall. A professional can help with repair and installation as well as reduce the number of pollutants stuck in your HVAC system by cleaning its coils and air intakes.

Additionally, you should have your air filters changed once every one to three months and choose a replacement filter with a higher minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) to make sure your IAQ is safe enough for your family.

By keeping an eye out for potential irritants in your home, you can help reduce your children’s discomfort and revive their healthy skin.