As soon as it gets really warm in Berlin, we immediately notice it on our little one’s skin. She quickly gets red spots or small pustules, especially in the diaper area, but sometimes also on her body. Of course, you first think of the classics: changing diapers, leaving out wet wipes, letting more air into the skin. But another point was also important for us: What cleanser do we actually use for your skin?
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Why does our daughter get a rash so quickly in the summer?
Heat rash usually occurs when sweat cannot drain away properly and the sweat ducts become blocked. This happens faster, especially in heat, high humidity, tight clothing or in the diaper area. The skin then primarily needs air, cooling and as little irritation as possible.
A mild one Children’s soap or a soap-free wash bar cannot magically remove the rash. But it can help prevent the skin from drying out or irritating further when washing. That’s exactly why when it comes to child care, I now pay much more attention to products that are pH-neutral, soap-free and, if possible, fragrance-free.
Why the diaper area reddens particularly quickly in summer
The diaper area is a separate topic in summer. Everything that stresses children’s skin comes together there: Heat, moisture, friction and little air. Even if we change full diapers quickly, the skin there stays warm and moist faster than on the rest of the body. In addition, there is urine and stool, which can further irritate the skin. If sweat, tight diapers or wet wipes with fragrances are added to the mix, the skin barrier is quickly overwhelmed.
That’s why on hot days at home we often let her run around the apartment in just her diaper or, if it’s convenient, for a short time without a diaper. When cleaning, I try to rub as little as possible and to clean with lukewarm water or very mild, fragrance-free cloths.
I also think it’s important: Not every redness in the diaper area is automatically a classic heat rash. It can also be normal diaper rash, which is irritated skin due to moisture, friction, or contact with urine and stool. If the skin becomes open, oozes, hurts a lot, pustules form or it doesn’t get better after a few days, I would always have the pediatrician take a look.
What really matters in a good children’s soap
This time I wanted to know more about what really matters when it comes to children’s soap. I found four points particularly important:
- pH skin-neutralideally a so-called syndet instead of classic soap. With a pH value of around 5.5, syndets are much closer to the skin’s natural value and attack the protective barrier less.
- No or hardly any fragrances. The more irritated the skin, the less perfume has a place in it, no matter how good it smells.
- Dermatologically testedideally with the note “suitable for sensitive or atopic skin”.
- Tensides that are as mild as possiblethat do not additionally degrease the skin.
These soaps convinced us
If you have very sensitive or irritated skin I would go to one first soap-free wash bar grab. I find this particularly useful A-Derma Basic Care Dermatological Barbecause it does not contain perfume, is pH-neutral and soap-free and, according to the manufacturer, is also suitable for children.
If you prefer to use a cleansing gel instead of a solid bar, that is Avène XeraCalm Nutrition Cleansing Gel a possible alternative. It is soap-free and intended for dry, sensitive skin. However, it contains a light fragrance, so it wouldn’t be my first choice if my skin is very irritated.
At classic children’s soap I would be more careful. Just because it says “children’s soap” doesn’t automatically mean it’s ideal for rashes or very sensitive skin. We have had good experiences with Weleda’s Calendula series so far. However, if the skin is visibly irritated, I would still first resort to a scent-free, soap-free cleanser that is as fragrance-free as possible.
If you regularly buy childcare anyway, it’s also worth taking a look at the Black Friday offers at Notino. I regularly buy beauty products there for myself and my little one.
Common questions we asked ourselves
Is regular soap really harmful to children’s skin? Not harmful in the sense of dangerous, but unfavorable. The high pH value of classic soap puts more strain on children’s sensitive skin barriers than a pH-neutral syndet, especially if the skin is already stressed by heat or a rash.
At what age can children use regular adult soap? There is no hard and fast rule, but the younger the child, the more sensible it is to use soap that is specifically tailored to children’s or baby’s skin. If your skin is sensitive or prone to rashes, this is still worth it, even for older children.
How often should I wash my child in summer? Bathing or showering every day is enough, washing several times a day tends to dry out the skin even more. Sweat and sand in between can usually be removed with clear, lukewarm water.
Our summer routine
On hot days we usually get up very early. Dottie usually wakes up by 6 a.m. at the latest. Then we go out with the dog, have some fruit for breakfast and drink lots of water. At home our little one is allowed to run around in diapers and outside in airy cotton clothes. Daycare starts during the week and we usually do something nice with her on the weekend.
After the first nap we have some time to play, enjoy a light lunch with lots of vegetables and think about what to do with the rest of the day. If it’s too hot, we stay home. Otherwise we go to the forest or the playground in the afternoon. In the evening after dinner we go swimming and her eyes close by nine o’clock at the latest.
Conclusion
Heat rash and red skin in the diaper area are usually harmless in summer. However, they show quite clearly that the skin needs less irritation and more air. The right children’s soap can’t magic the rash away, but it can help prevent the skin from drying out or stressing out when washing. If your skin gets worse instead of better, it’s better to visit the pediatrician once too often rather than too little. This also calms your own nerves in the end. What does your summer routine currently look like?