Why does my child’s skin flare up?

Are you a parent dealing with regular skin flare-ups in your child? Perhaps you’re puzzled about why it happens – you’ve been using natural bath and body products, for example, and you have no family history of sensitive skin. While it may seem to occur out of nowhere, unseen chemicals and dirt present in kids’ gear can cause a child’s skin rash; this is even the case in brand new items such as strollers, clothing and bedding.

While they may look clean as they’re wrapped in plastic, the factories that produce the fabric for these products for kids use bleaching agents and colour dyes that can cause skin irritation and rashes. A proper clean of the gear you use for your babies and kids is the key here. We take a look at five items and the hidden areas to look out for when cleaning.

Five products that can trigger a skin flare-up

#1 Stroller or pram

Before using a new stroller, it’s advisable to wash the fabric to reduce the incidence of a skin irritation with your child. If the stroller is used daily, give the fabric a deep wash every three months. If it’s used only on weekends, do this every six months.

The buckle, seat straps, sides and safety bar are also spots that can cause rashes on your child if they’re not wiped. Use a damp cloth to wipe them after every use. To remove stubborn stains, rub a paste of bicarbonate soda and white vinegar in and leave overnight before rinsing off.

#2 High chair with table top

An accumulation of dirt in this often-used item can bring on a child’s skin rash. You may be wiping the table top and seat after each use; but if there’s a cushion, have you cleaned under it? Food debris and dirt can get trapped there too. Don’t forget, too, that kids can get their fingers all over any surface – including under the table top when they grip it, and also the outside of the chair.

#3 Cot

Considering that your baby, toddler or even young child sleeps and possibly plays in a cot daily, there are many areas that could trigger a skin flare-up. Besides regularly wiping the frame on the interior and exterior, use a child-friendly laundry detergent to wash the sheets and the bedding.

#4 Play mat

Before using a new play mat, give it a good wash and airing. Repeat this weekly to remove skin and sweat that accumulate on the surface daily. Prolonged exposure to unseen dirt and grime can trigger skin flare-ups, especially if your child has sensitive skin.

#5 Car seat

Similar to the child stroller, make sure to wash the fabric before using a new car seat. After each use, besides brushing away food crumbs, give the fabric, harness and buckles a sanitising wipe.

Other ways to minimise skin rash

When cleaning kids’ gear, use a mild detergent – preferably one made with natural ingredients. This will ensure there aren’t any residues from harsh chemicals that can trigger skin issues in your child. Also allow the fabric to dry completely before using the item.

Here’s a video on how to ensure that the car seat fabric is dry completely before putting it back.

Professional cleaning

If you feel like you’re still not giving your kids’ gear the proper clean it needs – perhaps you don’t have the space in your home for drying kids’ gear after washing it, or you’re time-poor on account of work – then why not let the experts handle the cleaning?

PramWash is Singapore’s first baby gear cleaning specialist. Established in 2017, the company has washed more than 10,000 prams and other items of baby gear across all brands and models. The cleaning specialists on the team undergo two weeks of intensive hands-on training in cleaning and washing kids’ equipment, under the supervision of a senior specialist.

The cleaning solutions used by the PramWash won’t cause any skin flare-ups in your child – they’re made from plant-based ingredients and certified non-toxic by lab tests. So they’re safe for babies and children with sensitive skin.

You can drop your baby items at one of two outlets in Singapore. Or opt for a pick-up and delivery service at an extra cost. For more information about the range of services and to book, head to their website.

Written in collaboration with:
PramWash
VivoCity #B2-22A | 8 Boon Lay Way, #04-119 Tradehub 21
8686 8001 | pramwash.com

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Patricea Chow

Having lived 10 years abroad, Patricea has been rediscovering Singapore through fun events, street photography, and museum tours. She’s also partial to reading, education, spending time with family and kids, and armchair travelling.