Chlorhexidine Digluconate

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Chlorhexidine Digluconate?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Chlorhexidine Digluconate use with caution for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For children aged 2–5 years (toddlers and preschoolers): this antiseptic can be used in specific situations (for example, to clean a wound) but is not recommended for everyday skin care. It may irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions in some children.

What to Do

Only use products with chlorhexidine when a doctor or nurse recommends it. If used, follow product instructions and any concentration limits on the label. Do a small patch test on an area of healthy skin first, watch for redness, itching or swelling for 24–48 hours, and stop use if any reaction appears. Avoid getting it in the eyes, inside the nose, mouth, or ears. Keep products out of reach of children.

⚠️Warnings

Health Canada and some national regulators note restrictions on how this ingredient is used in cosmetics and recommend limits on concentration. Peer-reviewed studies and regulatory reviews report that chlorhexidine can be a skin allergen and cause irritation. If your child develops a rash, swelling, breathing trouble, or other allergic signs after exposure, stop use and seek medical care. These warnings come from national safety reviews (Health Canada), industry safety reviews, and peer-reviewed literature.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Immune system: There is strong evidence this ingredient can cause allergic and immune reactions in people. An asthmagen exposures compilation, peer-reviewed studies, and a European chemical agency review all list immune or allergy concerns for this chemical.
Asthma: This chemical appears on an asthmagen list, meaning it can trigger or worsen breathing problems and asthma in some people when they are exposed.
Irritant: Peer-reviewed studies and regulatory reviews report strong evidence that this substance can irritate skin and act as a skin allergen, so it may cause redness, itching, or rashes on sensitive skin.
Eczema: Because it is documented as a skin allergen in the scientific literature, it can trigger or make eczema and similar skin conditions worse for some children.
Banned: Use of this ingredient is restricted by national authorities: Health Canada and Japan’s health ministry limit its use or concentration in cosmetics, and expert safety panels recommend concentration limits.
Builds Up: Some reviews raise concerns that the chemical may be persistent or bioaccumulative and could build up with repeated exposure; an organohalogen pollutants review flagged persistence and bioaccumulation as a moderate concern.
Environmental: There are mixed regulatory findings, but at least one authoritative review flags persistence and bioaccumulation as an environmental concern, so the ingredient may pose environmental risks in some contexts.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Chlorhexidine Digluconate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

chlorhexidine digluconateEC 242-354-0N',N'''''-HEXANE-1,6-DIYLBIS[N-(4-CHLOROPHENYL)(IMIDODICARBONIMIDIC DIAMIDE)]--D-GLUCONIC ACID (1/2)SCHEMBL34468CHLOHEXIDINE GLUCONATEHIBICLENS (TN)PERIDEX (TN)CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE [USAN:USP:JAN]CHEMBL4297088HIBITANE GLUCONATEPERIOGARD (TN)

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Chlorhexidine Digluconate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Chlorhexidine Digluconate or its alternative names.

Research Articles on Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Chlorhexidine Digluconate safety and effects.

Common Questions About Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Safe for preschoolers to use Chlorhexidine Digluconate?

Use caution with Chlorhexidine Digluconate for 2-5 year old children. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the immune system risks of Chlorhexidine Digluconate for preschoolers?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the asthma risks of Chlorhexidine Digluconate for preschoolers?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the irritant risks of Chlorhexidine Digluconate for preschoolers?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the eczema risks of Chlorhexidine Digluconate for preschoolers?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the banned risks of Chlorhexidine Digluconate for preschoolers?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the builds up risks of Chlorhexidine Digluconate for preschoolers?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the environmental risks of Chlorhexidine Digluconate for preschoolers?

Possible negative effects on the environment Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Chlorhexidine Digluconate?

Chlorhexidine Digluconate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using products with Chlorhexidine Digluconate?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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