The fabric<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When choosing baby wipes for sensitive skin, look for versions made with natural materials such as bamboo or wood pulp. Most major brands are made from nylon or polyester. Unfortunately, for a small number of children with eczema, these synthetic materials can cause a problem. That said, growing awareness of the environmental impact of baby wipes means that there are now brands using natural products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fluid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
However, for a majority it is the fluid the fabric is soaked which their skin is unable to tolerate. And this is where it gets complicated. The ingredients lists of baby wipes are, for the average person, unintelligible. Here\u2019s the ingredients list from the label of two popular baby wipe brands<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Johnson\u2019s Baby Extra Sensitive Wipes<\/strong> – Aqua, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, p-Anisic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Simple Baby Moisturing Wipes<\/strong> – Aqua,\u00a0Phenoxyethanol,\u00a0Paraffinum Liquidum,\u00a0Carbomer,\u00a0Benzoic Acid,\u00a0Coco-Glucoside,\u00a0Sodium Hydroxide,\u00a0Dehydroacetic Acid,\u00a0Disodium EDTA,\u00a0Panthenol,\u00a0Bisabolol,\u00a0Pantolactone,\u00a0Anthemis Nobilis Oil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Apart from being unpronounceable most of these ingredients go by at least 5 different names so while these two ingredients list look different they are actually remarkably similar. No wonder we\u2019re confused!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"Toddler](\"https:\/\/scratchsleeves.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Babywipes.jpg\")
<\/a>When choosing baby wipes for a child with eczema, the important thing is what is left out, rather than what is put into the wipe. Common ingredients which can trigger or aggravate eczema to watch for are parabens, MCI\/MI, sodium benzoate and sorbates<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Put simply, most baby wipes are made mainly from water and the other ingredients act as moisturising agents and preservatives which help to stop the wipe from drying out. Other chemicals play a role in keeping the finished product to the right consistency and some act as cleaning agents or fragrance. Most of these chemicals are benign in spite of their scary sounding names, but some are known to either trigger allergic reactions or cause skin irritation in a small proportion of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common eczema aggravating ingredients in baby wipes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When choosing baby wipes for a child with eczema, the important thing is what is left out, rather than what is put in to the wipe. Common ingredients which can trigger or aggravate eczema for are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parabens<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
These preservatives may cause contact dermatitis in people that are sensitive, and are currently being phased out of baby products sold in the EU. According to\u00a0DermNet NZ<\/a>, paraben sensitivity causes classic allergy contact dermatitis reactions. Whilst recent medical studies like this\u00a0overview of parabens and allergic contact dermatitis<\/a>\u00a0have found that paraben sensitivity is relatively rare. However, children with eczema are more susceptible to skin irritation so we recommend taking care with paraben exposure, particularly with babies and toddlers aged 0-3. A recent 2021\u00a0medical study<\/a>\u00a0into the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children aged 0-3 highly exposed to parabens found that \u2018the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was significantly higher in children with high urinary concentrations of parabens than in those with low concentrations1<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Methylchloroisothiazolinone\/methylisothiazolinone (also known as MCI and MI respectively)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Both of these preservatives are known to cause contact dermatitis. A medical study<\/a> into contact dermatitis and methylisothiazolinine states that \u2018MI is an important emerging allergen whose sensitization frequency is rising\u20192<\/sup>. A 2016 clinical review,<\/a> even called the significant increase in contact allergies caused by MI an \u2018epidemic\u20193<\/sup>. The publicity surrounding them is causing them to fall out of favour with the manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phenoxyethanol<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Phenoxyethanol is another preservative known to cause skin irritation in a small proportion of the population. Although, given how often freshly wiped hands (and wipes themselves) end up in little one\u2019s mouths, I find the fact that the EU has banned its use in products for use around the mouth and on lips rather more concerning. According to the\u00a0Campaign for Safe Cosmetics<\/a>, \u2018infant oral exposure to phenoxyethanol can acutely affect nervous system function\u20194<\/sup>. This chemical has become increasing popular as manufacturers have reformulated products to avoid parabens and MCI\/MI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sodium benzoate (aka benzoic acid) <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
According to\u00a0a report published by the World Health Organisation<\/a>, \u2018the acute toxicity of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate in humans is low. However, both substances are known to cause contact dermatitis<\/em>\u20195<\/sup>. If your little one\u2018s skin does react to a specific baby wipe brand, this ingredient is definitely on the list of possible culprits. As with phenoxyethanol, the\u00a0chemical has become increasing popular as products are reformulated to avoid parabens and MCI\/MI<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polysorbate and ceteareth<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
While these chemicals have a low risk of causing skin irritation themselves, they are at high risk of contaminants that are known to cause skin irritation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If in doubt, opt for baby wipes specially formulated for \u2018sensitive skin\u2019. These will be free from worst offenders of fragrance, parabens, MCI and alcohol. The\u00a0EWG database<\/a>\u00a0is a great resource for checking ingredients. It also has an overall safety rating of a huge range of skincare products and including baby wipes brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choosing baby wipes for children with eczema<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If your child has eczema, it\u2019s best to look at the brands which are specially formulated for sensitive skin. These brands tend avoid the more irritating ingredients. \u00a0Look on the baby care aisle of any supermarket \u2013 there are certainly plenty of brands to try! It\u2019s useful to know that\u00a0The British Skin Foundation<\/a>\u00a0mark is only available to companies which support its work financially. A brand which doesn\u2019t have this mark may well be no worse for your baby\u2019s skin than one which does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trial and error<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Baby wipes affect children with eczema in different ways. Some babies and children won\u2019t react at all, while others will have a severe reaction. Unfortunately, the only way to know whether baby wipes aggravate your child\u2019s eczema is to try them out. Of course, it\u2019s best to be cautious when you\u2019re testing baby wipes on your child. Try using them on the hands first, then the face. Leave bottom-wiping until last as it\u2019s not so easy to spot an adverse reaction once your child\u2019s nappy is back in place. If one brand of baby wipes doesn\u2019t suit your child, cautiously introduce an alternative make. You\u2019ll probably have to try three or four different manufacturers before you find wipes which you can use with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What alternatives are there to baby wipes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If baby wipes really do prove unsuitable, you have the option to make your own (surprisingly simple!) or to find alternative ways to keep your child clean. The obvious alternative to baby wipes is a pad of cotton wool (pleats, balls or even make-up removal pads are all effective) and some fresh, clean water. If you\u2019re going out, you can transport some warm water in a flask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another alternative which is growing in popularity is the washable wet wipe. You can buy DIY baby wipe kits<\/a> made from natural fibres on the internet. You\u2019ll need to pre-soak these in your own home-made solution. Not only are they more environmentally-friendly as they can be washed and reused rather than thrown away, you can rest assured that you know exactly what has gone into them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to make your own eczema friendly baby wipes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It takes a little effort but making your own wet wipes gives you complete control over the ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We like the method used by Wellness Mama<\/a> who advises6<\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Cut a roll of paper towels in half using a sharp knife. You\u2019ll need to use a brand that holds together well when wet like Bounty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accordion fold the wipes into an air-tight plastic lunch box or food take-away tub<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mix together 400ml cooled boiled water, one tablespoon pure aloe (check for preservatives), one tablespoon witch hazel, one tablespoon liquid soap (again check the ingredients), 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract, and one teaspoon of almond oil and stir. Add essential oils, if desired, although if your child is particularly sensitive, leave these out or use calendula or chamomile instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pour over the paper towels and let them absorb the liquid for about five to 10 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flip the container over to make sure wipes are well soaked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use within a week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Our Sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- An overview of parabens and allergic contact dermatitis. <\/em>Farhaan Hafeez, Howard Maibach. Skin Therapy Lett<\/a>. Jul-Aug 2013;18(5):5-7.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Increased Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged 0\u20133 Years Highly Exposed to Parabens.<\/em> Arafune, J.et al 2021. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health<\/em>, [online] 18(21), p.11657. Available at: https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34770171\/<\/a> [Accessed 8 March 2022].<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Contact dermatitis to methylisothiazolinone<\/em>. Scherrer, M. et al. 2015. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, [online] 90(6), pp.912-914. Available at: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4689087\/<\/a> [Accessed 8 March 2022].<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dermatological Nursing \u2013 Article.<\/a> Methylisothiazolinone and the contact allergy \u2018epidemic\u2019. Gorav N Wali, Susan M Cooper. 2016, Vol 15, No 1.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Safe Cosmetics \u2013 Article<\/a> Phenoxyethanol.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- World Health Organisation \u2013 Article.<\/a> Opinion of the scientific committee on cosmetic products and non-food products intended for consumers concerning benzoic acid and sodium benzoate.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wellness Mama \u2013 Article.<\/a> Natural Homemade Baby Wipes. Katie Wells. January 27, 2011. [Updated July 30, 2019]<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n - Contact dermatitis to methylisothiazolinone<\/em>. Scherrer, M. et al. 2015. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, [online] 90(6), pp.912-914. Available at: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4689087\/<\/a> [Accessed 8 March 2022].<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Increased Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged 0\u20133 Years Highly Exposed to Parabens.<\/em> Arafune, J.et al 2021. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health<\/em>, [online] 18(21), p.11657. Available at: https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34770171\/<\/a> [Accessed 8 March 2022].<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- An overview of parabens and allergic contact dermatitis. <\/em>Farhaan Hafeez, Howard Maibach. Skin Therapy Lett<\/a>. Jul-Aug 2013;18(5):5-7.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Simple Baby Moisturing Wipes<\/strong> – Aqua,\u00a0Phenoxyethanol,\u00a0Paraffinum Liquidum,\u00a0Carbomer,\u00a0Benzoic Acid,\u00a0Coco-Glucoside,\u00a0Sodium Hydroxide,\u00a0Dehydroacetic Acid,\u00a0Disodium EDTA,\u00a0Panthenol,\u00a0Bisabolol,\u00a0Pantolactone,\u00a0Anthemis Nobilis Oil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n