Babies and young children have sensitive skin that can be easily irritated by everyday items they come into contact with at home and outside. Children have thinner skin than adults, and their immune system isn’t fully developed yet, which means that when they come in contact with irritants, they can end up with irritating and itchy rashes.
Whether your kids are playing outside in the summer or moving around home and school, there are steps you can take to protect their skin from irritants. In this article, we will take a closer look at some common irritants and what to do to minimize any irritation.
Enjoy the Summer Sun without the Skin Irritation
In the warm summer days, kids want to spend as much time outside as possible. Therefore, it is important to protect their skin from sunburn by using sunscreen and clothes that provide protection from UV rays. However, some sunscreen formulations may cause skin irritation, so avoid fragranced products or those high in chemicals such as oxybenzone and aminobenzoic acid.
If you notice that your child’s skin is getting irritated by sunscreen, speak with a pediatrician to get recommendations on what formula is best for your child’s skin, or try using a physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide.
Avoid Fragranced Products
Since your child’s skin is sensitive, you want to minimize the use of products containing fragrances, dyes, and preservatives. These products can easily cause contact dermatitis and skin irritation. Many soaps, lotions, and shampoos contain fragrances and other chemicals that you want to avoid.
Opt for natural products or ones that specify that they are “fragrance-free” or “hypoallergenic.”
Keep Clothes Clean Without the Irritation
We all love the smell of freshly laundered clothes. However, many laundry detergents and fabric conditioners can cause skin irritation and eczema. Again, look for fragrance-free laundry products or products specifically designed for young children. Dryer balls are a good alternative, or add a small amount of vinegar to the washing cycle.
Keep on Top of Diaper Changing
Diaper rash is a very common skin condition in babies. It occurs when the skin gets irritated by the diaper being wet for too long. Regularly changing diapers and keeping your baby’s skin dry and clean will minimize any irritation.
Applying diaper rash cream also helps to protect against any further irritation.
Keep the House Fresh and Clean
Everyday items such as air fresheners, incense, candles, and cleaning products can cause skin irritation in kids. To minimize the impact of these products, reduce your use of these products, especially when your kids are at home. As an alternative, you can use natural products such as lemon, vinegar, and bicarbonate of soda that help keep things clean without skin irritation.
Get the Advice You Need
If you notice that your child’s skin is regularly irritated, it is important to find and remove the source of the irritation. This can take some time. Sometimes, you may need advice on what products to use or how best to protect your child’s skin from irritants.
Our team of board-certified pediatricians is always available to help you with this and help you manage any skin problems your child has.