My 17 month started getting little red dots on her face and arms. She has had mild excema on her cheeks. Saw a Dr. and he gave her an anti-bacterial, he also said he wasn't sure. A couple days later it got worse and spread to her legs. Saw another Dr. and said it was probably viral and to stop meds and let it heal on it's own.
It's been roughly four more days and it is getting worse and spreading to her torso, covering her arms and face.
The bumps don't bother her, she eats and sleeps fine and when they heal they almost scab over, kinda dry up.
I had been using bubble bath and J&J soap/shampoo, stopped most of that and am now trying cetaphil soap and a clean water rinse but am concerned that it could possibly be an alergy or maybe I just need to go to a dermatologist.
Is there anyone out there that has had a similar rash? Or have any ideas, I'm running out of them.
I used to get rashes like that all the time and the only thing that worked for me was anything with oatmeal, you can get a box of oatmeal bath at walmart for a few bucks, that and the lotions worked best.
True eczema is always, ALWAYS, an allergy to something. It might be environmental or food, but it is not simply dry skin. both my boys have experienced lots of allergy issues. We have treated them with an all natural, non-chemical, eastern/alternative medicine route. They both healed great with no side effects from medicines. If you are interested in going this route I have an AMAZING doctor I would highly recommend. I believed he saved my kid's health.
I would recommend going to a natural grocery store for skin products for her. Anything that has chemicals or mineral oil in it will not be good for her. Products with mineral oil will "cure" the rash because they clog the pores of the skin. If the substance your daughter is dumping through her skin can't get out through the pores, then no rash....but you don't want her body to keep the irritant in.
Just some thoughts--be happy to talk further if you're interested in this approach.
J.
Your child is a bit older than when my children developed problems with a similar rash. I had a peditrician recommend that we only use 100% cotton clothing. This helped a little but the largest factor was that our water came from a well. I had to bathe my children in bottled water that I would warm on the stove and then add some cold bottle water to get the correct temperature. If you do not think that it is the water you may want to try using Aveeno lotion after every bath. Apply it directly after bathing while the skin is still wet. Then you will blot dry your child and continue to dress them. This will help to moisturize the skin and prevent it from drying out. Good luck, I know how frustrating this situation is.
M.
do you bathe her every day?? my daughter only gets a bath 2x a week and i just make sure I get her hands, face and bum the other days at the sink....her skin sensitivity has gone down a lot! also, for her bath I use burts bees or another similarly organic product and then lather her in lotion (burts bees, lubriderm) when she comes out of the tub. she used to scrath herself all night before and she has been scratch free for almost a year!
also...my son had strep and my daughter did not exibit any symtoms that she had caught anything...except for a rach on her trunk, legs...then my son had some rach too. went to Dr. == scarlet fever... so we had antibiotics. maybe check that out. good luck!
my son has had eczema break outs also. i use an intensive skin therapy lotion on him from melaleuca. we're customers and nothing works better! it really helps to take the toxic chemicals out of your house and get more 'natural' stuff in it's place. that's why i like shopping with melaleuca. all their products are safer and you won't see skin problems anymore. replacing the laundry products and body wash and hand wash, etc. shampoo...
will help.
it did with us.
It MIGHT be the same rash my son has it does not bother them to much but not pretty to look at. Does it itch? Anyhow what we have done is get the oatmeal bath soaks Avena makes one and there is also a generic one at King Soopers Anyhow use that INSTEAD of all bubble baths, be real careful of soap's and laundry detergent. Find ones with NO perfume's. Another thing we learned was "Borage Oil" it comes in capsules the liquid is no longer available so we just poke a hole in the capsule put on a spoon full of yogurt apple sauce whatever it works wonders! it is so dry in Colorado this helps on the inside out. I have been sold all kinds of other oils, creams etc. this one has no flavor and he will take it. My son is not real happy with creams or ointments so this method keeps the rash under control.
Hi C.,
I agree that many things can cause rashes and it is troublesome that it continues to spread. Fortunately your daugher isn't too upset about it. There are so many things that you want to avoid on the skin and in what you eat that could cause reactions. I'm an RN and like to offer solutions without drugs. I recommend Arbonne and would be happy to get you some samples to try. I'm happy to talk to you if I could be of help.
J. B.
My daughter had same problem until we switched all products used on the skin. We only use Arbonne and we use natural laundry detergent or All free and clear. That cleared it up. Also check what she might be eating. She is either having an allergic reaction to a skin product, detergent or food. Also definately don't use J and J. The ingredients are horrible for babies skin.
Keep mineral oil, artificial colors and fragrances off her skin. I also have a handout of products recommended to use for ezcema and foods to avoid. Email me at ____@____.com if you want it. It's just a simple one page handout.
Hope everything clears up soon.
Pay attention to what she is eating. Excema can be caused by food allegies.
Hello. I am a dermatology nurse and my professional suggestion is to take her child into a Dermatologist. They specialize in diseases/disorders of the skin. I've found that MANY of our patients has been either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed before coming to see us.
IT sounds like hives. Check the laundry detergent, or fabric softener. She might be allergic to one of them. If you are using something new, that could be it. Good Luck
Is the rash in her diaper area as well? If it is excema, it typically does not spread to the diaper area as that area stays more moist than the rest of the body. So if the rash is also in her diaper area, chances are it is viral. Viral rashes can last 7-10 days. If it is not bothering her, I wouldn't worry about it for now. There's really nothing you can do for a viral rash except wait for it to go away. If it is excema (I have 3 kids with it) the most effective thing for us has always been to cover them in baby oil after each bath (whether they seem dry or not) before we even dry them off. That traps in the moisture. Then we cover them with Eucerin cream (not lotion). That tends to keep away flare-ups. If it does flare up, I try over-the-counter hydrocortisone. If that doesn't work, the doctor has given us prescription strength medicines to calm down the flare-up (either Elidel or a stronger steroid). We have been able to manage the excema very well doing this. Good luck.
Kids get rashes with viruses, if she had a fever, then I would say that was probably it. However you didn't mention if she had a fever or any other symptom of a virus.
If not, take her to see the dermotologist before it heals.
Most Pediatricians will chaulk up rashes to being viral without doing any more research.
Since they don't itch then that would be an indicator to me it wasn't allergic reaction. Most rashes with allergies or eczema are itchy and irratating. Believe it or not, even with the chicken pox vaccine, children can get a very mild case of chicken pox if directly exposed to someone not vaccinated. It isn't life threatening with the high fevers like chicken pox can be if vaccinated but it can happen.
Did your Dr check her for that?
If you question it, make sure you take her to a dermotologist before the rash heals so they can really see the symptoms and get an idea of what it is.
Good luck, sounds like at least it isn't bothering her.
Push on a spot too and see if it stays red when you push down or if it comes back white for a second, that can determine what kind of rash it is.
Try SkinMilk Cream.... Lotion you can get at any walmart, walgreens, or target i think
FYI...it may not pertain to your baby, but it never hurts to investigate. hope everything turns out OK.
A message from Carter's on "tagless" clothing:
Carter's has received reports that some infants with sensitive skin could be allergic to heat-transferred, or "tag-less," labels used in baby and infant clothing, including Carter's clothing. Children with such an allergy may develop a localized rash in the general area of the label on the upper back. Naturally, we are very concerned about any child who may have had a skin rash while wearing our garments, and we have been looking into this matter thoroughly.
We have conducted an internal review of the product and test results, required our label manufacturers to do the same, and coordinated with several independent experts, including physicians, to provide their analyses. Our review and testing provide no indication that the labels contain any known skin irritants or abrasive chemicals, or that such a rash is anything beyond a rare allergic reaction to an otherwise safe product. We have received fewer than four reported rashes for every 1,000,000 of these products sold.
Nevertheless, we have been working closely with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and issued a joint advisory to alert consumers to the situation.
The reported skin rashes have been associated with tag-less labels used in our Fall 2007 product line. These labels have a solid, rather than stenciled, background. Prior and current Carter's product lines utilize labels with stenciled backgrounds and have not been linked to skin rashes.
If your child develops such an allergic reaction, you should stop using the garment that caused the reaction. If the condition persists, please contact your pediatrician for advice. You may return any item that you are not satisfied with for a full refund. Our Consumer Affairs staff can help with that return.
Carter's is committed to being the industry leader in product safety and quality. All of our products must pass rigorous third-party testing to ensure they meet the highest safety and quality standards and are compliant with all laws and regulations. We take pride in knowing that parents rely on us to provide trusted products that help make their lives simpler. As always, Carter's is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact our Consumer Affairs center anytime at 1-888-282-4674 or by e-mail at ____@____.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About "Tag-Less" Labels
How can parents tell if they have one of the labels from Fall 2007: These labels have a raised surface with a solid, rather than stenciled, background.
Fall 2007 Label with solid background, has been associated with rashes & is not safe for children to wear with known sensitive skin. [& Gabby went to bed wearing a sleeper with this tag and in the morning was when she had her rash. It isn't confirmed that this was the cause & it won't be confirmed until we do a "controlled" test ordered by her pediatrician.]
Spring 2008 Label with the stenciled background, has not been associated with rashes & is safe for children to wear.
What should I do if my child has a reaction to a tag-less label: You should stop using the garment that caused the reaction. If the condition persists, please contact your pediatrician for advice. We also encourage anyone with questions or comments to contact us at 1-888-282-4674 or by e-mail at ____@____.com this reaction serious: It is our understanding that the reaction is a type of allergic reaction called contact dermatitis and that it generally clears up completely within a matter of days after removal from contact with the allergen. If the condition persists, please contact your pediatrician for advice.
What is in the labels: We purchase the tag-less labels directly from multiple U.S.-based label suppliers. The suppliers are aware of our quality and safety standards and have provided us with third-party test results that indicate that the labels are in compliance with all existing safety and quality standards. The label contains the standard ink formulation used by many companies on literally billions of garments in the United States. The label is applied by means of a standard screen transfer, similar to an iron-on screen print, the same type of technology used for many years and on many types of garments. The specific ingredients and relative percentages of the ink formula for the label vary depending on the colors and style of the particular label, but it is our understanding from the manufacturers that it is generally the same type of ink that has been used on clothing for many years ranging from children's clothing to adult intimate apparel.
It appears that a very small percentage of children can be allergic to one or more ingredients in the labels. The solid, rather than stenciled, background on the Fall 2007 labels appears to have produced a more pronounced and noticeable reaction among those children who are most allergic to the ink. For stylistic reasons, Carter's has switched back to the smaller labels for our Spring and Fall 2008 line.
Where are these products manufactured: We purchase the tag-less labels from multiple U.S.-based suppliers. The garments in which these labels were used were manufactured in various foreign countries, including Guatemala, China and the Philippines.
What kind of testing do you do on Carter's clothing before it is available to consumers: Carter's garments fully comply with all existing quality and safety regulations applicable to children's clothing. There are approximately 50 different tests and standards applicable to these garments. These include strict standards for: flammability, strength, colorfastness, fit, comfort and content. The various testing that we perform on all our garments allows us to check for known irritants, toxins and other substances that are banned from children's clothing. Each year our suppliers must also provide us with certification ensuring their products contain no banned substances.
Is there a recall on the Fall 2007 products: Carter's has used tag-less labels on hundreds of millions of products and our experience with these labels is that they are safe. Carter's has coordinated directly with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on this issue, and has determined that a product recall is unnecessary.
If there is no recall then why is Carter's issuing a release with the CPSC: Naturally, we are very concerned about any child who may have had a skin rash while wearing our garments. We are working closely with the CPSC to make sure that consumers are alerted to the situation in the event that their infant has an allergic reaction.
What do I do if I'm not satisfied with my Carter's clothing: As is our standard policy, customers may return any item that they are not satisfied with for a full refund. Our Consumer Affairs staff can be reached at 1-888-282-4674 or by email at ____@____.com, and will help with that return.
How to return your Carter's "tagless" clothing:
Recently Carter's brand children's clothes issued a consumer alert concerning their Fall 2007 tag-less labels. Not to panic, this is not a recall. It seems that a very small percentage of children developed a mild rash from these tags. Prompted by these incidents, Carter's conducted additional testing on these labels. Those results "provide no indication that the labels contain any known skin irritants or abrasive chemicals, or that such a rash is anything beyond a rare allergic reaction to an otherwise safe product." So basically, they are safe. However, if you are not comfortable continuing to use these garments or if your child is the one in 250,000 children to have a reaction, stop using the product and rest assured you will receive a refund.
Step 1: First confirm whether or not you actually have any garments with the Fall 2007 label. If you do, check your child to make sure they have not had an allergic reaction or any skin irritation. The tags are located in such a spot that an irritation could easily go unnoticed. If your child has a serious reaction, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Step 2: So, you have garments with the "tag-less" label in question, what now? If your child has not had a reaction, you may decide to keep these garments. However, if you do not feel comfortable continuing to use these items separate them from the rest of your child's wardrobe and contact Carter's. You can do this either via email at ____@____.com or call them at 1-888-282-4674.
Step 3: Be honest when you contact the company. If your child did not have a reaction don't say they did. Just tell them the truth, you don't feel comfortable continuing to use these items. As per their website message, you can return any item you are not completely satisfied with for a full refund.
Step 4: Once you have contacted Carter's, customer service will send you a postage paid envelope to send back your items. Remember to launder/wash the clothes before sending them back. Before sending out your package, include a letter with your information (name, address and phone number). Also include an itemized list of the items you sent back to the company and keep a copy for yourself. This way you can verify you received credit for all the items you sent back.
The Things you'll Need:
1: 15 minutes to contact the company
2: another 15 minutes to package your garments to go back to the company
3: a pen & paper to write the necessary information to include in your package
Helpful Tips & Warnings:
♦ Don't panic! This is NOT a recall, these items are NOT dangerous. carter's is doing what is in the best interest of it's tiniest customers.
♦ When you contact the company be nice to the person on the line. They are not responsible for the problem, their job is to help you but they'll be happy to 'go the extra mile' if you are polite.
How did you find this information out:
To be honest and it is sad, I am not the only local mommy expirencing this with my child. It was on my local news station at 10pm. I was watching one of my shows and the preview for the upcoming news shocked the hell out of me. I watched and was horrified. Yet, my husband and I are not sure that this was the leading cause behind my daughter's unexplained rash that appeared out of nowhere. All the other claims I have read and saw on the news shows that all the rashes started where the "tag-less" tag is on the Carter's garment clothes. Gabby's rash was never on her back where her "tag-less" tag would lay. It was on her arms, her legs, her hands, her fingers, her ears, her face, her eyes, her neck, her feet but, never at any point was it on her back until the doctor at Children's Mercy ran his fingers down her back. If your curious about the news/story I saw visit this website: http://www.kctv5.com/news/18007635/detail.html and here is the video if you don't want to read the story that way you can see "exactly" what I saw: Baby Suffers from Mysterious Rash. I hope this helps everyone as much as it has helped me. I know what I am doing today, how about you???
