Allergy to diapers: how to identify and treat?

Are there any allergies to diapers?

The first and most important question, which so often causes controversy among supporters and opponents of this invention: can there even be an allergy to diapers? Experts say: yes, it can. As with any other hygiene product.

The human body is unique, and the statement that a product is hypoallergenic cannot be unconditional. There are individual reactions depending on many factors, including the state of the immune system, heredity, degree of skin sensitivity, etc.

However, if your baby has a negative reaction to products from one manufacturer, this does not mean that you should give up diapers completely. Most likely, the composition of the product of a particular brand did not suit the baby. You have to find the option that will be acceptable to him.

Before you start searching, you should make sure whether an allergy really exists and whether it is the result of using diapers.

Brands of diapers and the risk of developing allergies from their use

There are a large number of baby hygiene products on the market. Each brand has its own risks in terms of developing allergies:

"Pampers Premium Care" - have good absorbency, contain aloe extract on the inside. Sometimes it provokes allergies. The disease often develops in newborns; in older babies, the skin is less sensitive;
"Pampers Slip and Play" - are equipped with an antiseptic layer with chamomile, which can cause allergies. Sometimes products have a chemical smell, which intensifies as it is filled, which provokes irritation;
"Pampers Active Baby" - allergies most often occur from the use of products with chamomile and aloe extracts. If there are allergic reactions to one or another component, the product needs to be changed. Sometimes irritation develops as a result of a reaction to gel filler with fragrances;
“Haggis” - the products of this brand do not contain lotions, creams of plant origin and fragrances. But the child’s skin can react directly to the diaper material, and this can also happen from an incorrectly selected size;
"Marris" is a Japanese product presented as hypoallergenic and based on environmentally friendly materials. The inside is impregnated with witch hazel, which can cause irritation if you are intolerant to this plant.

Diaper allergy symptoms

If you notice changes in the skin in the perineal area of your child, do not make an unambiguous diagnosis. A mistake will not only cause you a lot of inconvenience, but can also negatively affect the child’s health, delaying the visit to a specialist and the search for the true causes of the disease.

Did you know that diaper allergies are often confused with regular diaper rash?

In order to draw conclusions, you should know how an allergy to diapers manifests itself. You can talk about a negative reaction only if the following symptoms are present:

the area of spread of rash and redness is limited only to the area with which the product comes into contact; in other places the skin remains healthy;
there is redness in the form of a ring around the anus;
when changing a diaper there is no moisture, the affected areas remain dry;
changes are observed in the baby’s behavior, indicating the presence of a constant irritant: he sleeps worse, is often capricious for no apparent reason, and may refuse to eat;
the affected areas become covered with ulcers and peel, the skin becomes inflamed and swollen.

If the changes affected other parts of the body, then we are talking about other sources of allergic reactions. In such a situation, you need to immediately contact a specialist to identify them.

An allergy to diapers can spread throughout the body only if it is systemic in nature, that is, in cases where local manifestations were not taken into account in a timely manner.

Diaper irritation symptoms

Characteristic diaper rash appears in places where the skin comes into contact with diapers. Most often these are the buttocks, genital area and inner thighs. You can see what irritation from diapers looks like in the photo.

The main symptoms of diaper irritation on the bottom include the following:

the skin is red;
Peeling began in areas of diaper rash;
in the area of redness, slight swelling and swelling are noticeable;
small blisters and rashes appeared on the reddened skin;
If left untreated, the skin may become covered with ulcers and wounds and become infected.

With such skin problems, babies often become whiny, capricious and lethargic. In some cases, the temperature may even rise.

Please note that if the irritation has spread beyond the area in contact with the diapers, then it is no longer diaper dermatitis, but a serious allergy or other disease. In any case, you should contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.

What can allergies be confused with?

Allergic manifestations caused by diapers can easily be mistaken for prickly heat, a fungal infection, or contact dermatitis, which occurs as a result of friction of the product against the skin in the areas of the tightest fit.

Given this confusion, pediatricians give clear recommendations on how to most accurately determine an allergy to diapers :

completely stop using them for a few days;
regularly and as responsibly as possible carry out all necessary procedures for caring for the baby’s skin;
After the symptoms completely disappear, put a diaper on the child for no more than 40 minutes (make sure that his skin is dry and clean).

If after removing the product no changes were found underneath, then you are not dealing with an allergy. Most likely, the cause of the trouble was untimely changing of the diaper, prolonged contact of the skin with feces and urine, or incorrect selection of the product in size.

To make sure that other hygiene products used in everyday care have not caused allergies, you can treat the skin with them and leave the baby without a diaper. If this is the reason, the reaction will come quickly.

Folk remedies

There are traditional methods for treating allergies to diapers. Before using any component, you should consult a specialist. Otherwise, you can only worsen the problem if the child has an allergic reaction to it.

Decoctions . Irritated skin is treated with a decoction of string or nettle. To prepare the composition, take 1 tablespoon of dry herb and pour a glass of water. The mixture is boiled and cooled. Wiping is carried out with a cotton pad. A wiping solution can be made from baking soda. Take 2 tablespoons of powder and dissolve in 1 liter of water. Wipe the skin with the mixture before each diaper change.
Baths . Herbs can be used while bathing your baby. Baths with oak bark and chamomile will soothe the skin and relieve inflammation. A bath with potassium permanganate has good drying properties. To prepare the solution, just a few grains of the product are enough.
Oil . Due to its antifungal properties, coconut oil is often used for diaper allergies. It soothes irritated skin and moisturizes it. They lubricate the child's skin 2-3 times a day. Shea butter helps a lot. It contains fats that promote rapid healing of the skin. The oil is applied 3 times a day to dry and clean skin.

It is prohibited to use home remedies for diaper allergies internally. Treatment should consist only of taking baths and rubbing.

Causes of allergies

So, you have already found out that your baby is allergic to diapers, based on the symptoms described above. If you have previously used similar products without problems, your next step should be to identify the factors that activated the corresponding mechanisms in the child’s body. It could be:

change of product brand;
use of a low-quality product;
accidental purchase of counterfeit or expired products;
violation of the manufacturer's recommendations regarding storage rules;
the presence of additional components, for example, plant extracts or fragrances.

If one of the above options occurred, all that is required of you in the future is to return to a trusted brand and be more careful when purchasing. In the meantime, everything possible must be done to heal the baby as quickly as possible.

Drug treatment

The consequences of an allergy to diapers will help eliminate medications from the pharmacy. It is recommended to lubricate the skin with ointments three times a day after bathing to relieve irritation and other symptoms. Doctors usually prescribe:

Fenistil-gel;
Bapanten;
La Cree;
Pantestin.

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Usually 2-3 days are enough for ointments and proper care to get rid of the consequences of an allergy to diapers completely or at least reduce its severity. If the symptoms continue to intensify, then the use of antihistamines cannot be avoided.

Allergy to diapers occurs only in children under three years of age, so it is important that the products are age-appropriate. Young children are usually given the drugs in the form of drops.

Infants from 1 month can be given Fenistil, and from 6 months Zyrtec is allowed. Claritin is used for children over 1 year of age. Suprastin tablets help well. They can be used from 1 year. The correct dosage for infants is calculated based on the instructions for the drug.

How to get rid of diaper allergies?

The first and most important condition necessary for returning the skin to a healthy state is strict adherence to the rules for using diapers. Air baths and regular application of special care products will allow her to recover quickly.

You may need to eliminate diapers altogether for a while. But a few days of extra worries for parents are worth the peace and well-being of the baby!

Drugs designed to speed up the regeneration process and eliminate the symptoms of the disease include:

ointments “Desitin”, “Bepanten”, Skin-cap, “Drapolen”, etc.;
antihistamines appropriate for the baby’s age, in particular Fenistil or Zyrtec;
proven hypoallergenic creams with a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect, for example, Sanosan or Bubchen.

When choosing hygiene products, carefully read their composition so that instead of a therapeutic effect, they do not provoke an exacerbation of the disease. Before using the medicine on your baby, be sure to consult a pediatrician or allergist.

Stages of the disease

The disease can have three stages:

Light redness that goes away after bathing and applying hypoallergenic cream to the area of diaper irritation.
The affected area expands and redness intensifies, the inflammatory process begins, pustules appear, and the skin peels off.
The severe stage, when ulcers and swelling are observed, and the bright red color intensifies. The child may also develop a fever, lose appetite, and have trouble sleeping.

Next, we will consider how allergies manifest themselves, their symptoms and signs.

How to treat allergies to diapers using traditional methods?

Folk remedies can be a significant help in the process of healing a baby, but they are effective only in combination with medications.

You can take herbal baths that will soothe sensitive skin, dry wounds and reduce inflammation.

Option 1. Take a teaspoon each of dried string, chamomile and celandine. Pour the mixture with a liter of boiling water and leave to brew. Add the pre-strained liquid to the bathing water.

Option 2. Brew dry chamomile in boiling water in a ratio of 3 tsp. for 1 liter of water. Strain and add to the bath before bathing.

Any herbs can cause allergies, so their use without consulting a doctor is highly undesirable.

Prevention

It is better to prevent any health-related problems than to treat them. If you follow preventive measures, the risk of developing severe dermatitis from diapers in your child will be significantly reduced.

Choose products only from trusted manufacturers

Change diapers on time, without waiting until they are full to the brim.
Every time you change a diaper, the baby’s bottom should be wiped with an antibacterial wipe, or even better, washed with soap.
A clean diaper is put on completely dry skin.
Use special creams and powders for diapers.
Allow your child to go without a diaper for some time every day.
Bathe your baby daily, especially on hot days. You can add a little potassium permanganate and herbal decoctions to the bath.
Use pants and other clothes for your baby only from natural fabrics.
Expensive diapers do not mean they are good. Try different brands, only then will you find what suits your child.

The stronger the baby’s immunity, the less his skin is susceptible to various reactions and irritations.

It is very important to harden a child from the first months of life. Walking in the fresh air in any weather, nutritious nutrition for a nursing mother, water treatments - all this helps strengthen the defenses.

Don't forget about the health of the baby's nervous system, which also significantly affects the immune system. The calmer the environment around the baby, the calmer and healthier he is.

How to choose a diaper so that it does not cause allergies?

In order to minimize possible side effects from wearing a diaper, it is important to select it taking into account the following parameters:

Size

The product should neither press nor rub the baby. If you find traces of rubber bands on your child’s skin, it is advisable to immediately change the hygiene product to one of a suitable size. For the convenience of parents, the weight for which the product is designed is indicated on the packaging, so it is impossible to get confused.

Filler composition

Typically, cellulose or a special gelling material is used, which increases the price of the product, but significantly improves its ability to absorb and retain moisture.

Outer layer material

The presence of polyethylene extends the time of use and relieves parents of unnecessary hassle associated with eliminating the consequences of leakage, but deprives the child’s skin of the opportunity to breathe normally. In “breathable” models, polyethylene is replaced by a film with micro-holes, which allows air to penetrate inside but prevents the release of moisture.

Fastener quality

They should not be too rough and become unusable after the first unfastening. After all, situations are quite possible when this procedure does not involve changing the diaper, for example, during a medical examination. The rounded shape of the fasteners provides additional protection against friction.

Availability of additional components

Herbal extracts, fragrances and creams are intended to provide additional care for baby's skin, but they increase the risk of allergic reactions. If you are not sure how your baby’s body will react, it is better to avoid such supplements.

Manufacturer

Everything is individual here, and each brand has both supporters and opponents. In general, it is believed that Japanese diapers (Moonу, Merries, Goo.N, MamyPoko, etc.) cause allergies less than the usual Pampers, Libero and Huggies. There are herbal diapers (Sun Herbal) that supposedly do not contain “chemicals” and should not cause negative reactions. However, this is just a general observation and does not exclude individual intolerance. When buying products of a certain brand for the first time, it is better to limit yourself to small packaging to avoid unnecessary costs.

Features of diapers from different manufacturers

Each manufacturer of personal hygiene products for babies uses both widely used raw materials in the manufacture of diapers and unique components in order to enhance the quality of the product or give it additional properties.

When choosing products, you need to know that the brands of diapers are:

Haggis are made without dyes, fragrances and lotions, but an allergy when wearing them cannot be ruled out due to the main material.
Sleep and Play contains chamomile extract in an aseptic layer, which can cause allergies. The presence of unsafe components cannot be ruled out either, since when filling a diaper, many parents note the appearance of a distinct chemical odor.
Merries are made from natural materials, but the inner layer contains an extract of the witch hazel plant, which can be allergenic for the baby.
Premium Care (Premium Care) are particularly tender and soft. But they contain an extract from aloe leaves and, what is even more dangerous, a special dye CI 61565, which, according to some studies, is endowed with carcinogenic properties.
Active Baby in the absorbent layer contains extracts from aloe and chamomile, as well as strong flavors. Each of these components can be a source of allergens.

Nowadays, herbal diapers containing an insert of extracts of wormwood, sophora and other medicinal plants are gaining popularity. According to the manufacturer, such products have a good effect on the skin and prevent irritation, but due to the content of plant materials, an allergy to them is quite likely.

Reusable diapers as an alternative

If traditional disposable options are absolutely not suitable for your baby, you can try reusable ones as an alternative. Purchasing them will not be difficult - the market offers a selection of products from different manufacturers (for example, Russian Mum's Era). You can also make them from a regular T-shirt with your own hands.

Reusable products are special panties with replaceable inserts. They are made exclusively from natural materials; bamboo or microfiber is used for pads. This option is safer in terms of possible allergic reactions.

Depending on the model, immediately after your baby has relieved himself, you will have to change the entire diaper or just the insert. The products are easy to wash, dry quickly and can be used the very next day after washing. The number of diapers per day depends on the age of the child.

If you are considering this option, it is worth considering that the price is significantly higher than disposable models. However, thanks to the adjustable size (in most cases they are suitable from birth to 1-2 years) and the possibility of repeated use, the costs are quickly recouped.

The disadvantages of the products include the need for frequent washing; in this sense, they are almost similar to the diapers that were used by our mothers and grandmothers.

In addition, the experience of mothers shows that it is advisable not to completely abandon disposable models: they are useful for nighttime sleep and in cases where you and your baby leave the house for a long time.

As for allergies, when using reusable diapers, they are less common, since fragrances, plant extracts and other dubious components are not used in production. However, negative reactions are possible if the baby is hypersensitive to natural materials.

Types of allergens

Why does an allergy develop, what in the diaper can be an allergen? The main irritating factor, according to pediatricians, are aromatic additives and fragrances that are used to impregnate some types of diapers. The components of the gel impregnation of the absorbent layer of this hygiene item can also be allergenic.

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To improve the water-repellent effect of the outer layer of a disposable baby diaper, some not the most responsible manufacturers that are irritating when sweat gets on them. If the baby begins to sweat, there is a high probability that a severe allergic reaction will be provoked.

Self-respecting manufacturers of large brands usually do not use such substances, since they are prohibited by WHO for children's use, but when buying inexpensive and little-known brands of diapers, parents take a big risk: such products are not subject to standardization, and therefore they are, in fact, buying a “pig in a poke.” "

We will also upset those who choose only well-known brands. Today there are many counterfeits on the market, the safety of which for children's health is questionable. Neither the pharmacist at the pharmacy nor the salesperson at the store may know that the diapers are fake. Usually, along with the diapers, the accompanying documents for the entire shipment are also well forged.

Prevention of allergic manifestations

In order to avoid any unpleasant consequences associated with wearing diapers, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

give the baby’s skin a “rest”, if possible leaving the baby without panties for 15 minutes every two hours;
change diapers in a timely manner to avoid diaper rash and irritation;
thoroughly wash and pat the baby dry before putting a dry diaper on him;
do not rub the baby’s skin, do not use hard towels that can injure the skin;
use barrier products based on zinc oxide as a diaper cream;
monitor reactions to the hygiene products used and, if necessary, select more suitable ones for your child;
choose diapers strictly according to size, since the “for growth” option not only negates their main functions, but can also harm the baby;
do not experiment with new brands, but use proven and reliable products;
before purchasing, check the expiration date and production date indicated on the packaging, as well as its integrity;
buy products from official representatives or in pharmacies - only in this case you can be 100% sure that you have purchased original and high-quality products.

It is worth noting that the causes of allergies are much deeper than it seems at first glance. As a rule, the disease is directly related to the state of the immune system, so much attention should be paid to correctly introducing new foods into the diet and ensuring a balanced diet.

Precautionary measures

If you use diapers correctly and care for your baby’s skin, you can avoid allergies. The following rules must be adhered to:

Diapers should be purchased taking into account the characteristics of the baby. Each child is individual and mothers are well aware of their health status. Only she should determine which diapers to buy. Other mothers can't always give the right advice. What is good for one baby may harm another.
When using the diaper, do not allow the skin to touch the fasteners. They can cause redness.
It is not advisable to change the brand of diapers without a good reason. If they suit the child and do not cause allergies, then it is better to always buy only them. When replacing with a new brand, they first conduct a test: purchase a small package and observe the reaction of the skin.
It is necessary to act at the first sign of an allergy. Barrier creams containing zinc oxide are used. They dry well and stop developing inflammation.
Diapers should be changed immediately after being filled. Then the discharge will not be in prolonged contact with the skin. At least a couple of times a day for half an hour, the baby’s skin should rest from diapers.

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It is easier for a child with good immunity to resist an allergy to diapers. To strengthen it, the baby must eat properly and receive complementary foods in a timely manner. You need to walk outside often so that he actively develops and has good health.