Prickly Heat Rash and Detergent?

maykat

Both of my kids have had really strange allergic reactions/rashes.

While we were in NY at my aunt's, Alec developed a rash all over his body (not on his trunk or where his clothes were) just on exposed areas of his skin.  It looked like a prickly heat rash and it would get worse when he was outside.  This was about 3 weeks ago and he still has traces of it but most of it has faded. We took him to the emergency clinic and the doctor said it was a contact rash and most likely an allergic reaction.  Aerin did not break out in a rash that whole time.

Yesterday, I put a dress on Aerin that my cousin had given us and washed it in the same detergent that Aunt uses (not thinking).  She wore the dress for about an hour and had no reaction.  5 minutes after she stepped outside in the heat, she broke out in the same rash.

It's driving me crazy, because I know both are having allergic reactions to something similar and I don't know what it is.  We thought it was a particular plant blooming at my Aunt's, but yesterday we were in FL with totally different plants.  Now I'm thinking they are both having reactions to a detergent but only when they are outside and it's really hot out.  IT's like the Tide Detergent it clogging their pores.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

We are now using the most gentle detergents and a special shampoo/bath cleanser.

budgetbride26

Are you using Suntan lotion? My sister is allergic to a common ingredient in most of the suntan lotions, so just thought I'd throw that out there. 

maykat

We are using it but they didn't have it on when they got the rashes. 

We were thinking that might be it, but yesterday, I did not put sunscreen on Aerin when she had the rash.

Louise06

I am allergic to most sunscreen and always get an itchy rash a few hours after I have washed it off.