Nearly every baby gets a rash at some point. Usually, some baby ointment clears it up in a day or two.
But then there are some babies that develop a rash that just won’t go away. If your baby has a persistent diaper rash, or you start noticing the rash spreading to other parts of their body, it may be an allergic reaction.
Lately, there have been more reported cases of babies (and even adults) with an allergy to a common preservative used in baby wipes called methylisothiazolinone (MI). This allergy usually causes a skin reaction called allergic contact dermatitis.
To read more about MI and allergic contact dermatitis, check out our previous blog post.
The most common signs and symptoms of allergic reaction to baby wipes are:
- Scaly, itchy rash on bottom, mouth, hands, and anywhere else a wipe might be used to clean your baby.
- Redness and swelling
- Bumps on skin that develop into sore blisters
- Peeling skin
A fact that’s pretty well known is that babies have more sensitive skin than adults. What’s not as well known is why. Newborns have more absorbent skin because it’s thinner and also has a greater surface area, so anything that touches it is instantly absorbed.
If you suspect your baby is allergic to MI or some other ingredient in baby wipes, try using water and a washcloth to clean them during a diaper change whenever possible to see if the rash clears up.
If you have any questions about your baby’s care, don’t hesitate to contact an All About Women maternity doctor or your child’s pediatrician.