Tiny bubbles in the bath make you feel happy, make you feel fine. Or do they? There's long been a debate over whether or not bubble baths are really good for children, especially when it comes to girls. While some health experts believe that bubble baths can be linked to health issues such as urinary tract infections, others think that bubble baths are nothing more than good fun. {relatedarticles}According to a report released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics last year, many of the children's bath products on the market have chemicals that have been linked to both cancer and skin allergies. Among the offenders is formaldehyde, which can cause irritation in people who are sensitive. Some of the products also contain 1,4-dioxane which is considered a probable human carcinogen by the EPA.
Many companies have reduced the amounts they use in the products in recent years to make them safer. Some children complain of burning and frequent urination after taking a bubble bath, but one expert isn't so sure there's any correlation between urinary tract infections and bathing. According to child-rearing expert Dr. Alan Greene bacteria and bubbles can irritate the lining of the urethra. Of course, these are found in soaps, shampoos and other products.{relatedarticles} In order to flush out the toxins, the urethra causes frequent urination and urine going over the tissue can cause a child to hold urine. Dr. Greene says that while bubble baths may not cause infections, they can definitely cause discomfort. If your child suffers from yeast infections, urinary tract infections, burning and other issues, it's probably best to bypass the bubble bath. If you want to make bath time more entertaining sans the bubbles, invest in some safe bath toys.