How to prevent eczema for babies
Updated: Nov 14, 2022
Introduction
If you're a parent, you know that babies are the most precious things in the world. They need to be cared for and nurtured, but they also need to be protected. One of the most important ways you can do this is by taking steps to prevent eczema in your baby. While there isn't much that can be done about babies who already have eczema or other skin conditions, keeping them away from irritants such as soap and hand sanitizer can go a long way toward ensuring their health—and happiness! Here are some easy tips on how to care for your little one's sensitive skin:
Wash new clothes before wearing.
When it comes to preventing eczema for babies, the first thing you should know is that washing clothes is key. New items have irritating chemicals and dyes on them, so it's best if you wash new clothes before wearing them. The same applies for any item that gets stained or dirty in some way (e.g., paint from painting a room).
Here’s how:
Wash new clothes using mild detergent and cold water—don't use hot water as this can irritate sensitive skin!
Use a gentle cycle when washing your clothes (preferably one with an extra rinse cycle at the end).
Dry on low heat in order to prevent further irritation of sensitive skin.
If your baby has a dry skin, try using an ointment or cream designed for infants. There are many different brands and types of lotions that can help relieve the symptoms of eczema. You should also consider bathing your baby with warm water instead of cold water—this will help soothe irritated skin.
Do not use fabric softeners/dryer sheets.
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are supposed to make your clothes smell nice, but they can also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people. The chemicals in these products may be the culprit, so try using unscented laundry detergent instead of fabric softener or dryer sheets.
If you want to use a fabric softener, choose unscented varieties or those that are labeled "free of dyes and perfumes." If you do use dryer sheets, try switching to wool balls instead.
Another option is to make your own fabric softener. You can do this by adding a few drops of pure essential oils, such as lavender or rosemary, to the washing machine when you do laundry.
Avoid scented products.
Avoid scented products.
Use mild, unscented laundry detergent.
Avoid fabric softeners/dryer sheets.
Avoid scented lotions and soaps for baby’s bath time (you can use plain water to wash your baby).
Also avoid using scented shampoos or conditioners on babies' hair until they're old enough to have their own opinion on the subject of fragrance in general, which is usually around 18 months of age. If you want to give your infant a head start on his or her own personal fragrance preferences, look for moisturizing shampoo with no scent at all!
When choosing a baby shampoo and body wash, look for products that are labeled “hypoallergenic” or "fragrance-free." Some babies may be sensitive to certain ingredients in shampoos and body washes. If so, you'll want to avoid products with ingredients such as sulfates, dyes, fragrances and preservatives.
Bathe with mild soap.
Use a mild soap that does not contain fragrances, dyes or perfumes.
If you use a cleanser, be sure it does not contain additives such as petroleum products, colorings, or alcohols. This is especially important for babies under six months of age; they have tiny skin pores that are more easily damaged by these chemicals than adult skin.
Do not use bar soap on your baby's skin; liquid soaps are gentler and work better at removing dirt and bacteria from the skin's surface.
If you must use bar soap, be sure it is labeled as "natural" or "unscented." If you are using a cleanser that contains fragrances, dyes or perfumes, avoid getting them into your baby's eyes.
Rinse with lukewarm water.
Rinse with lukewarm water. It's very important that you use lukewarm water to rinse your baby after washing them, not hot or cold water. This helps to avoid irritation and dry skin which is common in babies who have sensitive skin.
If you are using a baby wash product from a bottle, make sure that it is suitable for babies under six months of age.
Never use baby products that contain alcohol, fragrance or colour. These can be very irritating to sensitive baby skin.
Pat dry or air dry.
When it comes to patting your baby dry or air drying, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Patting dry is the gentlest way to remove water from your baby's skin after a bath or shower. When patting your baby down, be sure to use soft towels and make sure that they're clean. If the towel is too rough, this can cause irritation and worsen eczema symptoms. Make sure that you're not using anything too harsh on your child's delicate skin either!
Avoid using soap on your child's skin, as this can dry it out and cause irritation. If you have to use soap, be sure to pick a mild version that's made for babies. You should also make sure that the water is not too hot when giving your baby a bath or shower.
Moisturize after bathing.
Moisturize after bathing. After taking a bath or shower, you should apply a fragrance-free and hypoallergenic moisturizer to the skin on your baby's body. Avoid lotions with alcohol, menthol, or other chemicals as these can irritate sensitive skin.
Add an oil to bathwater. If your baby has very dry skin, you may consider adding an oil such as olive oil to his bathwater so that he doesn't get too much moisture from his bath alone.
Olive oil is a great choice because it won't clog pores and it's hypoallergenic. You can also use coconut oil or jojoba oil as they have similar benefits.
Use a mild soap. If your baby has very dry skin, you should use a mild soap designed for sensitive skin. You can find these at most drug stores and they don't contain any fragrances or dyes that could irritate your baby's skin.
Use mild, unscented laundry detergent.
To keep your baby's skin as healthy and moisturized as possible, the best laundry detergent for eczema-prone skin is one that doesn't contain dyes or perfumes. You'll also want to avoid using a laundry product with fabric softener, which can lead to dryness and irritation in some cases. If you want to be extra safe, choose a gentle powdered detergent over a liquid.
Avoid using scented products on baby clothes at all costs! Fabric softeners are another no-no; they tend to leave behind residue on clothes that can cause irritation for people with sensitive skin (and yours probably does). As for dryer sheets—you guessed it: stay away from those too! Your baby may not have any issues from these items, but why take chances?
If you're wondering what laundry detergent to use on baby clothes, it's best to stick with a hypoallergenic option. Your child's skin is extra sensitive and may even be allergic to certain ingredients in their clothing, so it's important that you find something gentle enough for their needs.
These simple tips can help you keep eczema from becoming an issue in your baby's life.
Avoid scented products. Scented lotions, soaps and laundry detergents can trigger eczema in babies who are at high risk of developing the condition. If you can’t find unscented products, look for a fragrance free option.
Use mild soap. Don't use bar soap on your baby's skin or in their bath water—it may irritate sensitive skin and cause flare-ups of eczema. Instead, choose liquid cleansers that are labeled "gentle" or "hypoallergenic." These products contain less harsh chemicals than bar soaps do and don't leave behind any residue to clog pores or irritate sensitive skin further.
Rinse with lukewarm water (not hot). Hot water can damage delicate skin; it also creates bubbles that trap bacteria, which could lead to infection if left untreated by rinsing off well afterward using clean fingers instead of cotton balls/swabs since these might spread germs from one part of the body onto another without thoroughly cleaning them off first! If perspiration builds up underneath bandages applied over affected areas after bathing then make sure they're loose enough not too bind together tightly while still being able to breathe properly while wearing them."
Conclusion
The best way to prevent eczema is to take care of your child’s skin. The most important thing is to keep the baby clean and dry, so that they do not develop any rashes or other problems with their skin. You may want to use a moisturizing lotion on their face and body every day before bedtime; this will help keep their skin soft as well as protect them from dryness during the night hours when we sleep with blankets covering us all over our bodies!
Everything your baby needs for the best night sleep ever every night.
Every baby needs a good night’s sleep, but finding a way to get them there is not always easy. That’s why we came up with our
dedicated baby sleep products so your little one can have the best sleep ever, every night.