EWG RANKS CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR BABIES

Every parent knows that caring for a new baby requires lots and lots of cleaning. But can washing up the milk and spit-up introduce your baby to potentially harmful chemicals?

For its spring 2016 update, EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning analyzed more than 400 new cleaning products and formulations, including ones marketed for new parents and their babies’ needs.

The guide looks closely at product ingredients, labels and online transparency, then ranks products with a letter grade from A (best) to F (worst). Of course, some of the products are better than others. Click here to view the list of cleaning products for babies.

Products that score poorly contain such hazardous ingredients as the allergenic preservative methylisothiazolinone (MIT) or sodium borate (borax), which can disrupt hormones and harm the reproductive system.

Poorly rated products use sparse or vague terminology – such as “biodegradable surfactants,” “fragrance” and “fabric brighteners” (also known as optical brighteners) – but do not disclose specific ingredients on the label. Visit the guide’s Label Decoder to learn more about what these terms mean.

Almost half of the products EWG analyzed failed to display a complete list of specific ingredients anywhere. Manufacturers can get away with this legally, since virtually no federal or state laws require manufacturers to disclose their cleaning products ingredients.

Products with better scores contain ingredients with fewer health hazards and make more ingredient disclosure on the package and on the company website.

The cleaning products for babies are among 406 new products from 85 brands just added to EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. The new products were available in stores from October 2015 to February 2016 or were submitted directly to EWG by manufacturers. EWG evaluated and rated the products according to the Guide to Healthy Cleaning methodology.

For more information on the cleaning products for babies – as well as those for your whole household – visit EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning.

WHAT CAUSED YOUR CHILD’S ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION?

Uh-oh. Your child has developed a red, itchy, or sore rash.

Your little one may have a case of contact dermatitis, an eczema-like skin condition caused by touching something that triggers an allergic reaction or irritates the skin.

If the reaction is serious, talk to your doctor about a referral for allergy testing to determine the source. But for minor reactions, some easy sleuthing at home can help you figure out if a common allergen is to blame. Here are the worst – and most likely – offenders:

Metals

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 11 million children in North America are allergic to nickel, so this or another metal might have set off your child’s skin allergy. Clothing fixtures such as zippers and hooks or jewelry, including watch straps, are all easy ways we come into contact with metals. Face paints may also contain traces of heavy metals, and for older children, cosmetics could be the problem.

Preservatives

Carefully read the labels of body care product your child uses. An ingredient could be responsible. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and formaldehyde releasers such as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (bronopol), diazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin are potent skin allergens.

Manufacturers add MI to body washes, moisturizers, sunscreens, baby wipes and even products labeled “hypoallergenic.” Bronopol turns up in some CVS diaper wipes and cosmetics products such as facial cleansers, nail polish and moisturizers. Watch out for diazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin in hair styling products, shampoos, conditioners and body washes.

Not sure if your family’s favorite products contain these or other allergenic ingredients? Search EWG’s Skin Deep database to find out.

Botanical Allergens

Plant-based essential oils such as lavender, tea tree or citrus are popular in “natural” personal care products in place of chemical fragrances. Because the concentration of these oils can vary, they can easily trigger allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin.

Parents often notice these reactions after using botanical bug repellents, which commonly contain citronella, clove, geranium, lemongrass, peppermint or rosemary oils, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Click here to learn about safer ways to beat bug bites.

Tips for parents:

Need help sleuthing? Allergic reactions typically break out where an allergen touches the skin, so the location of your child’s rash may indicate which allergen is responsible. Is the rash on your child’s face or hands? A personal care product, like lotion, may be to blame. Around your child’s wrist? Watch strap. At a certain spot on the chest? Zipper. Baby’s behind? Diaper wipe.

Reactions may occur immediately after contact – making it easier to isolate the cause – or after a long period of exposure. Keep both in mind when investigating possible sources.

Always contact a medical professional if your child shows symptoms of a serious skin reaction, particularly if she shows any sign of infection, such as a fever.

Take heart: Allergic reactions often clear quickly and are generally avoidable once you determine the culprit.

By Megan Boyle

Rashes in Toddlers

Skin irritations can give toddlers a hard time, and make them highly uncomfortable and cranky. As a parent it is imperative that you are aware of the causes behind this problem, so that you can get your child the right treatment.

A rash is an inflammation of the skin, accompanied with red spots, and change in texture or color of the skin. Rashes can appear either on a localized part or all over the body. Depending on the type of rash, it can either be itchy rash or non-itchy rash, scaly or non-scaly rash. In medical terms a rash is termed as exanthem. Though most rashes go away on their own, they should not be taken lightly. It is important to have your child examined by a physician.

Types of Rashes in Toddlers

These rashes can be caused due to a number of reasons, like reaction to a particular drug, insect bites, allergic reaction, exposure to some chemicals, or it can also be an infection. Symptoms vary according to the type of rash.

• Chickenpox

It is also known as varicella and is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster. This rash is not harmful, but it is contagious and lasts up to two weeks. The symptoms of chickenpox occur 12 to 21 days after the infection. However, it is important to note that a child can be exposed to it and yet not get infected by it. The most common symptoms of this rash include:

Fever

Sore throat

Fatigue

Appearance of an itchy rash

The rash initially targets body parts like the armpits, groin, or scalp. Usually a blister is formed, which ruptures into a lesion which forms a crust.

» Treatment: Calamine lotion or cooling gels help in treating the rash. There are various vaccines that help in preventing the rash.

• German Measles

German Measles is also called Rubella or Three-Day Measles. The rash is usually caused by Rubivirus. The face is the first body part which is affected by this virus. Pink rashes appear on the face, which later spread to the entire body. Often German Measles cause lymph nodes swelling behind the ear in children. Toddlers take approximately three days to recover from the rash.

» Treatment: The baby should be taken to the doctor immediately, if his fever exceeds 100ºF. The doctor might prescribe an ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• Measles

This type of measles is also called regular or hard measles, so that it can easily be differentiated from German measles. A virus called Paramyxovirus causes measles. A vaccine to prevent measles is available in the market, which is safe and effective. After the toddler has been exposed to the virus, the symptoms are visible after 10 to 12 days. The symptoms of measles include:

Cough

Fever

Nasal congestion

Redness of the eyes

Decreased appetite

On the third or fourth day of the symptoms, a brown rash is seen on the face, which then spreads to the entire body. The rash usually lasts three to four days.

» Treatment: Monitoring the child's temperature can provide relief from the rash. Liquid infant paracetamol can be used, after consulting a doctor.

• Roseola Infantum

It is caused by human herpes virus 6. Roseola infantum affects children below the age of 2. The most common symptom is a high fever that stays for 2 to 5 days. As the fever starts to go away the rash appears. The rash is pink in color and has lesions, which first appears on the stomach, and spreads to the extremities of the body.

» Treatment: The fever can be treated with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Prevent your child from getting dehydrated by giving him plenty of fluids. The rash disappears when the body temperature comes back to normal.

• Eczema

There are two reasons, which can cause eczema. First is the genetic structure, and the other is allergy to different irritants or food. Usually toddlers with dry skin are affected with eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. The most common characteristic is itching. Children develop itchy red rashes on their cheeks as the first symptom of eczema. The rash then spreads to inner elbows, behind the knees, neck, and then all over the body, specially the groin. It is itching that makes the child restless and irritated, usually at night.

» Treatment: Bathe the child in lukewarm water. Only mild soaps should be used for bathing. Moisturize the child's skin with a moisturizer or emollient. Use cotton clothing for the kid, avoid synthetic materials.

• Diaper Rash

This is a form of dermatitis, which affects the buttocks, genitals, thigh folds, and the lower abdomen of the toddler. Diaper rash is caused when the toddler's diaper is not changed frequently and the feces remain in contact with the skin. Usually this rash is flat and red in appearance.

» Treatment: This rash is usually caused due to allergy to the diaper material. Make sure that you change the diapers regularly when they are soiled to prevent this rash. Using ointments like zinc oxide or A&D ointment can help in treating the rash. It is recommended that one use cotton diapers at least till the rash has disappeared. If the rash persists for a prolonged period, seek medical advice.

• Scarlet Fever

Streptococcal bacteria causes fever, redness, and swelling of the throat and tonsils. It is also known as strep throat. Scarlet fever is strep throat accompanied by rashes. The symptoms of this condition are sore throat and fever. After one or two days of the symptoms, a red rash similar to the coarseness of sandpaper appears all over the child's body. The rash in some cases can also be seen around the vagina and/or anus.

» Treatment: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. Use a cool mist humidifier, or wrap a moist towel around the child's neck to soothe his throat. This rash is very contagious, but can be prevented, if the child's hands are washed at regular intervals all through the day.

• Hives

This is an allergic rash, which is caused due to allergy to certain foods, medications, soaps, clothing, grass, etc. The characteristic of this kind of rashes is that they appear on a particular body part to disappear in some time, but recur on other body part. The shape of this rash is often irregular and can either be separate or clustered together. In some cases, hives can make an appearance, if children have fever. The condition can be serious if you observe symptoms like wheezing, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, etc., along with the hives.

» Treatment: Use cooling gel or calamine lotion on the rash to soothe itching. Trim and clean the baby's nail to avoid damage if the rash is scratched. Dress the baby in loose cotton clothing. Use mild soap or cleansers while bathing the baby.

One should seek immediate medical advice if the rashes persist for more than 3 days, or if unexplained symptoms occur. Never give the child any medicine without consulting a doctor.

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.

 

Author,

Bhakti Satalkar