Can Laundry Detergent Cause Baby Eczema?
Written by Irina Webb
Babies have incredibly delicate skin that requires extra care and attention. It’s not uncommon for babies to develop eczema, a condition that causes red, itchy, and irritated skin. Eczema can be triggered by many factors, including genetics, environmental elements, and contact with irritants. Today, we’ll explore whether laundry detergent can cause eczema in babies and how to make safe choices for your little one’s sensitive skin.
Can Laundry Detergent Cause Baby Eczema?
Before diving in, let’s discuss baby eczema itself and the potential connection between laundry detergent and eczema. Understanding this link can help you make informed decisions about cleaning products, particularly those used for washing baby clothes. Let’s also explore what eczema looks like, the role detergents might play in triggering eczema flares, and which products are eczema-friendly for eczema-prone skin.
What Is Baby Eczema?
To start with, baby eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that results in itchy skin, redness, and irritation. It often shows up as patches on a baby’s cheeks, arms, or legs, though it can appear anywhere on the body. Unlike adult eczema, which may develop from long-term triggers, baby eczema is often tied to a combination of genetic predisposition and exposure to skin irritants. The good news? Many babies outgrow eczema as their skin matures.
Next, eczema can get worse by exposure to allergens or irritants, such as harsh chemicals, fabric softeners, and detergent residue left on clothes after taken out from the washing machine. This is why choosing a fragrance-free, formulated for sensitive skin laundry detergent is essential for families dealing with eczema. (source)
What Does Baby Eczema Look Like?
Typically, baby eczema appears as red, scaly, or inflamed patches of skin. In infants, it’s common to see eczema on the face, particularly on the cheeks and around the mouth, but it can also occur on the torso, arms, and legs (source). While adult eczema may develop as thickened, leathery skin from chronic scratching, baby eczema looks softer and more inflamed. These eczema flares can make babies fussy and uncomfortable, especially if the condition is exacerbated by contact dermatitis from irritants like dyes and fragrances in cleaning products. (Learn more about the difference between baby eczema and baby acne here.)
Can Laundry Detergent Cause Eczema In Babies?
According to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation Of America (AAFA), some common triggers for eczema-prone skin include:
- allergens (like dust mites, pet dander, certain foods, latex, and pollen)
- irritants in soaps, lotions, detergents, and household cleaners (like fragrances, dyes, chemicals, and formaldehyde)
- metals (nickel in jewelry, cellphones, belt buckles)
- stress, emotions, illness, and infections (like staph skin infections)
- changes in temperature (heat, cold, dry weather, humidity).
While detergent is not the root cause of the condition, certain ingredients in some detergents can irritate sensitive skin or provoke eczema flares. These ingredients include:
- dyes and fragrances
- harsh preservatives, and
- other harsh chemicals (learn more in my post What Laundry Detergent Is Safe For Babies?).
They can leave detergent residue on clothing and bedding, causing a reaction when they come into contact with a baby’s delicate skin.
Even seemingly innocuous steps, like adding fabric softener or using dryer sheets, can introduce more skin irritants. Washing clothes in hot water may help remove irritants as well as using a non-toxic detergent that’s specifically formulated for sensitive skin.
What Detergent Is Safe For Babies To Prevent Eczema?
As follows from the previous section, detergents are not root causes of this skin condition. Hence, the sole use of a certain detergent per se cannot prevent eczema as a condition. However, using a non-toxic detergent with eczema-friendly ingredients can help prevent eczema flare-ups.
First, the detergent should be fragrance-free and free of dyes. Second, it should not contain optical brighteners as they can leave behind irritating residues. In addition, look for detergents that have no harsh preservatives or ethoxylated ingredients. You can learn more about them in my guide to the safest laundry detergents. You may also want to use a liquid detergent to avoid powder residues or make sure to give your laundry a good rinse.
Consider the following options:
- Branch Basics Liquid Concentrate (READ15 for 15% off)
- Meliora (IREAD10 for 10% off), and
- Pure Haven (15% off is embedded in the link).
When laundering baby clothes, washing in cold water can minimize wear and tear. On the other hand, rinsing in hot water can help remove any detergent residue. Skip the fabric softener and dryer sheets as they can leave irritating coatings on fabrics.
Conclusion: Can Laundry Detergent Cause Baby Eczema?
Although Laundry Detergent Is Not The Primary Cause Of Eczema, Certain Ingredients In Some Detergents May Irritate Sensitive Skin Or Trigger Eczema Flare-Ups.
In conclusion, a detergent can play a role in triggering or worsening baby eczema. By using cleaning products with safe, non-toxic ingredients that are free from harsh chemicals, you can protect your baby’s skin and minimize the risk of eczema flares. By making these small adjustments, you can reduce your baby’s exposure to potential irritants and help keep their delicate skin healthy.
Additionally, consider the following tips for eczema-friendly laundry practices:
- Pre-wash all baby items before use to remove manufacturing residues.
- Double rinse loads to ensure no detergent remains on clothes.
- Wash baby clothes in hot water to remove skin irritants but use cold water for delicate fabrics.
- Stick to a single detergent brand if it works well for your baby as switching detergents can lead to flare-ups.
- Use a liquid detergent to avoid powder residues, such as Branch Basics Liquid Concentrate (READ15 for 15% off). Also, consider non-toxic Meliora (IREAD10 for 10% off) and Pure Haven (15% off is embedded in the link).
Additionally, know your child’s particular triggers to avoid exposure and implement a daily bathing and moisturizing routine to protect skin and lock in moisture (see eczema baby products here). In addition, avoid nylon or any synthetic baby clothing and use cotton baby clothes instead. Consider Castleware organic baby wear. (Learn more in my blog post called Best Organic Cotton Pajamas.)
Take advantage of the I Read Labels For You blog to help you make informed purchasing decisions. Download my Baby Wipes and Disposable Diapers Rating List E-books to find safer wipes and diapers for your baby. Visit the IRLFY non-toxic products shop, the IRLFY Amazon shop, and book a service if you need assistance in your healthy living journey!
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