Has your baby suddenly developed rashes all over their body, particularly on the legs and arms? If so, then your baby may be allergic to detergent.
Here, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about hypoallergenic detergents for babies. We will also show you how to tell if the rashes are caused by your detergent or not.
Stay tuned to the end as we’ll also give you a few recommendations and show you how to deal with the rash and prevent it in future.
Let’s dive in…
What Are the Causes of Detergent Allergies for Babies?
The main cause of detergent allergies is the dyes and scent added to these detergents by some manufacturers. Most of the brands include dyes and scents in their fabric softeners and detergents, with some companies marketing them as the best option for baby laundry.
What Are Some of the Potential Allergens in Detergents?
In addition to dyes and fragrances, some detergents feature numerous harmful chemicals like the following:
- Preservatives
- Enzymes
- Parabens
- Colors and dyes
- Moisturizers
- Fabric softeners
- Chlorine
- Emulsifiers
- Sulphates
- Phosphates
- Phthalates
- Optical brighteners
- Dioxane
These harmful chemicals can penetrate the child’s delicate skin and cause allergies. Therefore, you have to be alert and look for products labeled dye-free, fragrance-free and scent-free. You also want to ensure the other ingredients are mild and naturally derived as many commercial brands can still use harsh chemicals in their detergents.
What Are the Symptoms of a Baby’s Detergent Allergy?
The main symptom of detergent allergy for babies is the red itchy rash that occurs on their skin. If your child is allergic to detergent, the rashes might not appear immediately after wearing his or her clothes. The rash and redness may appear after a few days. Remember, it can take a few days for your child’s immune system to identify an allergen.
However, rashes and itchiness can also be caused by other things, including insect bites, inhalants, medicine, and even food. So how do you know if it’s detergent-triggered or not?
How Can You Diagnose a Detergent-Triggered Allergy?
One of the fastest ways to determine if a rash is caused by detergent is by checking under your baby’s diaper. That is the only part of his/her body that has not come in contact with the clothes. If you don’t find rashes under your baby’s diapers, then your baby might be allergic to your detergent. Also, detergent-triggered rashes tend to be relatively worse on the legs and arms.
What Are Some of the Best Hypoallergenic Detergents for Babies?
Babyganics
Babyganics is a great fragrance-free laundry detergent formulated without chlorine, sulfates, phosphates, phthalates, optical brighteners, 1, 4 dioxane, and dye. Therefore, it’s a hypoallergenic, safe product for your baby’s skin. Plus, it is safe on diapers.
Dreft
Dreft is a hypoallergenic baby detergent that is formulated for newborn babies. Mothers have trusted Dreft for over 80 years and it is the #1 pediatrician recommended baby detergent for a reason.
Mama Bear
Mama Bear is a unique detergent that is formulated without dyes, phthalates, and artificial scents. Mama Bear is specially formulated for washing baby clothes with powerful stain-removing enzymes.
FAQ’s – You Ask, We Answer
Below are answers to some of the commonly asked questions we’ve received.
How Do You Choose Detergents for Babies?
If your baby has sensitive skin and needs a gentler product, you should look for fragrance and dye-free products. But most importantly, make sure you get a hypoallergenic detergent for babies. And instead of a powder, look for a liquid detergent.
What Will Happen if You Wash Your Baby's Clothes Using an Expired Detergent?
An expired laundry detergent isn't harmful to your safety or health. But it will be less effective after it has expired.
When Can You Use Regular Detergent When Washing Your Child's Clothes?
Since your baby's skin is quite sensitive when young, we recommend that you start using normal detergent after the first year.
Is a Baby Detergent Really Necessary?
Most parents believe that they need to use detergent when cleaning their baby's clothes. And with newborns having sensitive skin, this could be a necessary part of your baby’s laundry care to clean harmful bacteria and other nasties. But whatever detergent you use, make sure you avoid anti-static fabric or product softeners with fragrance and chemicals.
Final Thoughts
If your baby has a detergent allergy, it’s always best to consult a medical practitioner for effectively treating the allergic reaction. However, using a mild, fragrance and chemical free alternative can help reduce symptoms as well!
