Is Bubble Bath Bad for Kids? By Lisa Asta, MD, FAAP Question: I've heard that bubble bath is bad for my child's skin. Are there any alternatives that contain milder ingredients? Answer: Aug. 21, 2000 -- Sorry to burst your bubble, but all bubble baths are irritating because they contain foaming agents and detergents, called anionic surfactants. Surfactants are known irritants, and prolonged exposure or high concentrations can cause irritant dermatitis -- better known to parents as dry, itchy, red skin. Doctor's offices are packed with kids suffering from irritation caused by bath products, and if your kids beg for bubble baths, you are right to ask if less irritating products are available. But they aren't. In a December 1998 study published in the American Journal of Contact Dermatitis, researchers tested nine children's bubble bath products and found that all of them were irritating to the skin. So as not to cause harm to children, the researchers applied concentrated bubble bath to the tender inner arms of adults, not children. And there was no actual bathing. The researchers found that products containing four or more surfactants were the most irritating. Unfortunately, you'd need a chemistry degree to learn from the most product labels just how many surfactants a product contains. Your sleuthing will be further hampered by the fact that some manufacturers use fewer surfactants, but in higher concentrations. Besides irritating the skin, bubble baths can also irritate the genitals and the urinary tract, leading to pain, burning, and frequent urination. Contrary to popular thought, both girls and boys can be affected. Children with a history of urinary tract infections should stay out of the bubbles. So should children with dry skin or eczema, because bubble baths can further dry and irritate their already sensitive skin. The bottom line is that most pediatricians do not recommend bubble baths for children. If you decide to let your kids take bubble baths, make them an occasional treat, not a daily event. Carefully follow the directions on the bottle and resist the temptation to throw in an extra capful to make more foam. Increasing the concentration may raise the risk of a reaction. Use the coolest water that is comfortable because hot water strips the skin of its protective oils. Be sure the children rinse with clear water afterward and consider using a skin moisturizer. If your kids love bubble baths, watch for signs of irritation. If problems arise, throw the bubbles out with the bath water. Sorry, kids. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lisa M. Asta, MD, is a pediatrician in Walnut Creek, Calif., and an assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. For More Information From WebMD • Children and Hives • Atopic Dermatitis • Contact Dermatitis 2000 Healtheon/WebMD. All rights reserved.
