Diaper Allergy

Updated on July 30, 2008
T.S. asks from Phoenix, AZ
38 answers

Has anyone ever had or heard of a child experiencing an allergy to diapers? My 21 month old developed a sudden severe scalding-type rash all over his body. He was in the care of my parents and my husbands parents when it happened. We changed brands of diapers from Pampers to Wal-mart brand 6 months ago and he started to develop the same kind of rash. It disappeard after we changed him back to pampers. The ER ruled out all other possible causes (bacterial, viral) and said it must be a topical allergic reaction b/c he had no nausea/vomiting/diarrea etc. We thought it must be the diapers since NOTHING else has changed and he had this kind of response in the past. He is now in cloth diapers and getting better but not totally cured yet (it's been 4 days).
Any thoughts/insights would be greatly appreciated.

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So What Happened?

WOW! Thank you all so much for your thoughts and insights. Apparently I am not alone in experiencing this problem. My son's rash has totally cleared up and we are in the process of potty training my 21 month old. So far he is doing very well. I am trying the Next Generation (chemical-free) diapers at nap and bedtime for now. You all are great and I really appreciate all of your comments!

Featured Answers

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C.M.

answers from Las Cruces on

Hello T.. Yes, I experienced this with my son. He does fine with Luvs, Huggies and even Parents Choice from Wal-Mart. I cant put any kind of Pampers on him, he breaks out almost immediately. Who knows?!

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K.W.

answers from Phoenix on

I personally love cloth and dislike the plastic, chemically lined and filled diapers. Every time I have put those chemically artificial dipes on by child's body, I cringe. I buy the DSQ (diaper service quality) dipes and wash them every couple days. I don't understand what the big deal is with cloth dipes that people complain about. The washer does all the work. Even when someone chooses disposable, they are **supposed to wash off the poop** before putting into garbage as poop lined disposables contaminate the ground water. I just rinse my cloth dipes (usually 1x daily) in the toilet which is a lot easier than trying to get off poop off disposables, IMO.

Then there are the environmental benefits. I don't throw away 7 - 10 dipes per day, adding 5000-7000 dipes (on average) to the landfills The other biggie, a disposable can take 250 years to break down. (Do the math, per kid, on that one. Talk about a WOW!) I am helping the earth now by not using disposables.

Then there are the cost savings. I have used the same dipes, pins and liners for both my kids ! Then I can reuse the dipes they grown out of as rags so they have another life ! Or another mom can use them and they help her save money too. The cost savings is in the thousands - seriously !

What is not to love about cloth?!? They are a beautiful thing.

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D.L.

answers from Phoenix on

My daughter had a diaper allergy. I would cry when I changed her diaper, because her bottom was ALWAYS sore, cracked and bleeding, no matter how much ointment we used on her. But when we started putting her in Pampers it cleared up and so we continued using Pampers. It was worth the additional expense to keep her comfortable and healthy.

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L.S.

answers from Tucson on

Hi T.,

My oldest was allergic to every diaper, except for Huggies. It took a lot of trial and error before figuring out which brand he could safely wear. He was a preemie and had a terrible diaper rash in the NICU from pampers..it looked like raw hamburger all over his bottom.(sorry about description) My husband found huggies preemie diapers and brought them to the NICU. It took almost 3 months to clear up the rash. Triple paste diaper cream is the only thing that helped. 8 years ago it was only online, but I think they carry it at Target now. It's price, but definitely worth the money. Also be careful if you decide to use any type of "pull-ups" when potty training. My son again could only wear huggies. My daughter could not wear walgreens or target pull ups. I have been told that more kids react to pampers because there are more chemicals in them...just what I have been told. Maybe a visit to your pediatrician would help too if not getting better. Take care and I hope this helps you out!
L. :)

Mom of 2 wonderful boys (8 & 4) and 1 sweet girl (2)

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N.B.

answers from Tucson on

My son was allergic to disposable diapers too, at birth, we tried just about every single type of diaper out there on him, and prescription diaper creams; when he started wearing cloth the creams weren't necessary anymore, the rash went away. No change in diet, he was ebf still. Now, he's 20 mos old, and we can put sposies on him, he seems to have outgrown the allergy. It's definitely possible, just leave him in the cloth, maybe with a little "naked time" in the backyard, and if the rash goes away and stays away w/ the cloth diapers, then stick with them. Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from Tucson on

Hi there, sorry to hear about the allergy!! Do you think it might be your detergent? I just called my mom and she said I broke out in TERRIBLE rash very sore crying etc..... So she changed me to cloth diapers and never a problem since. You can try putting a lil corn starch on the rash! Also have you tried the 7th generation diapers eco friendly you can get them at Babiesrus. But my mom swears cloth diapers will do the trick! Hope it works!!

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S.H.

answers from Phoenix on

T.,

My son had the same thing.. I ended up using Eco Diapers - from target - with a little triple paste diaper rash cream - worked in a few days... - Its actually helping us transition our little man into learning about the potty... Good Luck

stace

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K.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Both of my sons had horrible reactions to Pampers but were fine with Huggies. Right now we are dealing with a horrible diaper rash on the youngest (don't have any clue what caused it). I've tried all kinds of stuff on it and not much has helped, just discovered Triple Paste. Seems to be helping. It's too expensive to use all the time but for this rash it's worth it.

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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I have heard of babies being allergic to the gel inside the diaper...yes, then cloth is the only choice. But could it be the bleaching agents used to whiten the materials that make the diaper? Some disposables sold in health food stores do not bleach the material...or use gentler chemicals to do so.
Might be worth a look.

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M.E.

answers from Anchorage on

Hi T. -

Just a thought - some scalding-type rashes are from Candida in the urine. This is an excess amount of yeast and is fairly common in babies. Has your son ever had cradle cap or trush? Both are also caused by Candida. There are several herbs that are safe for children to balance the yeast in the body, as well as topical salves with Comfrey & Calendula that work wonderfully to heal up the existing rash.

If I can be of service, don't hesitate to write back.

Blessings,

M. M. Ernsberger
Certified Clinical Herbalist

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T.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My two youngest children have had reactions to all disposable diapers except Seventh Generation. They do not have chlorine in them. He might be having a reaction to the chlorine. I also have to use All Free and Clear detergent because my daughter got a crazy rash from some detergent we used at my mom's house. We also have to wash them up really good after using the pool because of the chlorine in there too. I hope this helps!

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H.F.

answers from Dallas on

I know that we tried the Wal-mart brand my son had a reaction, so we switched back to a name brand. But I haven't heared of it happening that long after the switch back.

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C.R.

answers from Las Cruces on

When my sister and I were kids, we both had allergic reactions to disposable diapers. That was 30+ years ago, but I just wanted you to know that it happens. My son's skin tends to be sensitive and more so when it's warm weather. Well, at least in the warm weather it takes longer for rashes to go away.

Good luck with the rash stuff. I completely understand that 'at my whits end. . .' feeling. Hang in there!

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A.

answers from Albuquerque on

I've heard of this and most of the families I know switched to cloth. They were also happy with the huge financial savings that gave them. Most were happy with Fuzzi Bunz diapers and thought they worked great.

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B.D.

answers from Phoenix on

All 4 of my children were allergic to "the cheap diapers" I used pampers then on day my husband bought luv's on accident I had to use one till he got home with the pampers and my son had no reaction at all so you might want to try them they are name brand but cheaper just a thought.. (after that day luv's was all we used)

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J.G.

answers from Phoenix on

My son was sensitive to a lot of things! we couldnt wipe him every time he peeed or he would have a horrible rash! i went round and round with my babysitter! she would wipe him every time no matter what and it would take a few days to clear up! maybe look into the wipes you are using! try just a wet wash cloth!!
Good luck

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A.T.

answers from Phoenix on

My daughter, right from the get go, has had sensitive skin. I got some Target brand diapers for my shower and we tried those when she was about two months. She's now almost 10 months and is what I call a 'diaper snob'. Her skin just won't let her use the cheaper diapers. We tried White Cloud after hearing my friend rave about them but she got a rash that turned into a terrible yeast infection that lasted several weeks. We tried Parents Choice and she got a rash all over her bum, back and tummy. So from now on we buy Pampers & Luvs and have had zero problems!

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C.M.

answers from Tucson on

My sister-in-law had to keep w/ the brand name diapers cause her kids were irritated by the generic diapers.... so, I've heard of it too.

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S.K.

answers from Albuquerque on

My daughter was allergic to Pampers and developed the same rash you are describing. We didn't have to resort to cloth, just never used Pampers again on her. My son was fine with whatever. Baths in colloidal oatmeal were really helpful with the rash.

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T.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My son had it too.
I found out that he is allergic to the plastic in diapers and so I potty trained him early....
Give him baking soda baths....put a cup of baking soda in his bath and let him soak in it.

Poor little guy!

T.
www.tesabartell.myarbonne.com

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S.G.

answers from Phoenix on

I have a soon to be 28 year old, soon to be 7 year old and 2.5 year old. My 28 year old had serve diaper rash, I had started with LUV diapers and there was a problem, I went to PAMPER's and there was a problem. Then went to Huggies and it cleared up. I have used them for 28 years have had only the best luck with them and my shildren.

Sometimes the additive's and materials in them both children. Siaper Rash is normal. But I also find that in the Arizona heat they need to be change a little more often and that is due to the fact that they get sweatie in the diaper area and that can cause problems.

Good Luck

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K.F.

answers from Albuquerque on

My first son had difficulty with Pampers but did fine with Huggies. My newborn has not had any difficulty at all but we have stuck with huggies...
K.

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J.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

Hi T.! I hope things are getting better for your son. I had the same thing as a infant myself and my mom did everything you did, and it ended up as an allergy to the diapers. So hopefully the cloth diapers will do the trick. Good Luck!

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D.P.

answers from Tucson on

My first son was allergic to Pampers and would explode them as he peed a lot at night. We switched to Huggies and had no problem whatsoever. We stuck with Huggies from then on and used huggies for our second child. I think every child is different, so if cloth is working well for you, I would stick with it. There are the covers for the cloth diapers as well. They make the cloth diapers less messy to deal with.

D.

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S.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

If it is an allergy to diapers, I would recommend white cloud if you decied to go back to disposables. They are the ONLY diaper out there that does not have perfume. Besides the all natural unbleached disposables, but they are soooo expensive.

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M.W.

answers from Tucson on

My cousin used white cloud and had that same very red reaction, and when i brought my daughter home from the hospital we used them to and she also had the same reaction. I had no clue what was causing it, but my mom remembered my cousins reaction to them and told me. We changed them instantly and the next day the redness was almost gone. I think there is just something about the generic ones, I have no idea what actually caused it, if it was a chemical in them or what. I do know we never used them again and she never had a rash again.

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S.W.

answers from Phoenix on

My 21 month old daughter has an allergy to Huggies that has developed. I had used them when she was younger without a problem but treid them again a couple of weeks ago and she broke out in a diaper rash. It is possible!

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S.H.

answers from Phoenix on

THANK YOU FOR PROVING I WAS NOT CRAZY 14+ YEARS AGO!! lol =D
T.-
I seriously think I tried every store & name brand,textures,supremes,deluxe,supers,walking foam underwear..j/k LOL..And we had come to the conclusion the ONLY diaper would clear up any rash he did have was...the Pampers. Sometimes money was tight & we would have loved to go cheaper but we knew the results of that choice.
I explained it to the childcare & would know if they got sloppy & put another brand on him by the irritation he would have when I got home. FYI= Sharpie pen his name acroos the bottom of the outside part of the diaper. This really made them keep on their toes. =) No biggy if it was not for the irritation it caused him- to say the least.
People/Family etc. ALL would suggest this or their swear by it brand that has worked for them- to no evail- I would have to use my son as a test bottom- to confirm those did not work for him.
Using a cream all the time is not good- I am aware. When it was raw & irritating we let him lay on a big changing pad on the floor with the fan or breeze & let him just "air dry" for awhile. He loved to be free as a bird. LOL
When cream was used- I felt A&D ointment gave the best results. The waz coat did not help nor the shaking of baby powder as well that made a clay on top of his sore areas. Now using the baby powder/corn starch & having it smoothed in & set in lightly in his skin while he was rash free worked well. Sitting in a pool of water/tub of unchlorinated water & no soaps poured in-was also a soothing technique.
Stick by what you know & what works for you. It may not have worked for them but if it is for you- stand your ground.

Proving to anyone & to myself that it was NOT just a lack of care and neglect & that I was NOT in the Nile of denial was what I was trying to do. Drove me nutts! GOOD LUCK!!

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V.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

One of my twins had something similar - but we found out he was allergic to the sunscreen we were putting on him.Have you been putting any kind of new lotion on him? Just a thought.

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B.B.

answers from Santa Fe on

I was allergic to pampers when i was a baby and my mom said that cloth diapers were the only thing that worked for me. Be encouraged, T., you are a good mom!

I am also a mom of two boys, ages 4 and 2 months.

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E.A.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi T.,
I have had the same problem w/ diapers. My girls experienced bad rashes when I change from Huggies to any other diaper. We stick with Huggies and if a rash presents usually we use corn starch and it clears up w/in a couple days. I don't find that any creams help to cure the rash but corn starch has worked wonders. My babies have all had sensitive skin in the diaper area. Just try and stick with what you know works :). Good luck and I hope your little one is feeling better soon.

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M.T.

answers from Tucson on

I feel your pain! When my second daughter was born in 1974, Pampers had just really come out. I was so excited not to have to wash diapers anymore that I bought a stockpile of Pampers. Within two weeks my daughters bottom was bright red. I slathered the A&D Ointment on her bum religiously but within another week the rash had spread up her back and down her legs. Once I switched back to cloth diapers the rash disappeared within one week. She is now a mom with two little boys; her second son had the same issue and had to wear cloth diapers!

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S.L.

answers from Tucson on

cloth diapers would have been the first thing I would have suggested - of course making sure they are always changed immediately when soiled - as for the skin the things I recommend are Recovazon gel and Camu C Serum - they are formulated of herbs from the Amazon rainforest - both are completely safe and natural and will heal the skin - if you are interested in more information or in getting the products you can contact me or visit my website: ____@____.com

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C.D.

answers from Phoenix on

I thought my son was allergic to Luv's diapers, and after contacting the company, blah blah - I didn't use them anymore. It turned out that my son was on an antiobiotic at the time, and he didnt' have a diaper rash - but a yeast infection. I would call your pediatrician and run it by her, also - since ER docs aren't as "up" on pediatric medicine as your son's regular doc is.

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L.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I've heard of this. They put lots of chemicals (perfumes, etc) on diapers. I know people who have switched to 7th generation diapers and it went away. They are mostly chemical free. I think they put absorbing things inside the diapers, but no perfumes or chlorine.

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K.

answers from Phoenix on

This happened to my son when he was 1 also,my husband bought some store brand diapers. His rash went away 3 or 4 days after we switched him back. Did you doctor tell you to use any topical cream? Ours had us use cortisone cream on him until it cleared up. Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Phoenix on

My oldest would break out with the pamper diapers so we have been in huggies every since. Any other brand has always had him breakout in a rash.

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S.L.

answers from Tucson on

Hi T.-
Sure, I think there are lots of chemicals in the disposable diapers, many fewer in the cloth, especially if they are cleaned by a service. I know that my son's skin was never happy in anything but cloth diapers. S.

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