Harmful Preservative in Baby Wet Wipes can Cause Painful Rashes

A study published in the journal Pediatrics has discovered a preservative in numerous brands of baby wipes that can cause painful rashes, even in those that are touted as hypoallergenic.

A recent study has found that a preservative which is used by most wet wipes manufacturers can cause severe and painful rashes.

Wet wipes are convenient and useful disposable cloths especially for wiping babies’ bottoms and other body parts of children who often get dirty. Nowadays, many adults use them instead of toilet paper to clean their hands and faces. A study published in the journal Pediatrics has discovered a preservative in numerous brands of baby wipes that can cause painful rashes, even in those that are touted as hypoallergenic.

The chemical’s called methylisothiazolinone.

The authors Dr. Mary Wu Chang and Radhika Nakrani looked at the cases of six children, ages 3 to 8, who suffered from persistent rashes that did not respond to traditional ways of treatments such as topical and oral antibiotics and steroids. Since the rashes were located on the children’s hands, faces and bottoms, Chang asked parents whether they use wet wipes, which all confirmed. Tests revealed that the children were allergic to the aforementioned chemical. The rashes disappeared as soon as the children were no longer cleaned with baby wipes.

It was used in lower concentrations

“This preservative is not new, but it was used as a combination preservative with other chemicals for many years. In order to reduce allergic reactions, it is now being used as a single preservative, but in higher concentrations, and now people are developing allergic rashes to the new formulation as well.” Chang told HealthDay.

According to her research, the amount of methylisothiazolinone in some products has been increased from 3.7 parts per million to as much as 100 parts per million, since 2006 when the old combination of preservatives was phased out. In addition to wipes, methylisothiazolinone is found in at least 2,600 personal care products sold in the United States, including shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, and shower gel. This preservative is currently banned from cosmetics in Canada and Japan. Moreover, The European Union has already acted to place warning labels of the possible harmful effects.

One of the largest manufacturers of wet wipes, Kimberly-Clark, provided a statement that said that they have been evaluating alternative preservative options over the past few years and is now ready to confirm that, beginning this year; they will start introducing new wet wipes that are methylisothiazolinone – free.

Therefore, it’s good to remember to read labels on the baby wipes packages and avoid buying personal care products and cosmetics containing this chemical.