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Sensitive skin and laundry detergents

ForeverNewlyWedsForeverNewlyWeds member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months
We just got back from the doctor's office and it looks like DS has contact dermatitis (simply put he's allergic to something in his environment). We need to start excluding things from his environment like soap, lotion, fabric softener, etc to find the culprit but dr thinks the most likely candidate is DH and my laundry detergent. We have rewashed our clothes with DS' detergent (which doesn't seem to bother him) but my question is:

If it turns out to be the detergent, has anyone else dealt with this before? DH and I will gladly make the switch to gentler laundry detergent but how do you keep LOs from being aggravated by clothes of friends and family? Do we need to keep them from holding him at all while we test/once we confirm? Can we use some sort of cloth barrier (blanket/towel/etc) between baby and visitor? Any other ideas?

TIA
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Re: Sensitive skin and laundry detergents

  • ASmallWonderASmallWonder member
    Switch to a free and clear detergent and keep a stash of receiving blankets handy that have been washed in that detergent for people to hold the little guy.
    Formerly known as elmoali :)

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  • BSnipes35BSnipes35 member
    DS1 is four years old. He has a bad case if eczema. His main culprit was Johnson and Johnson products. They're full of alcohol, which dries out their skin. Then you put the same brand of lotion on them, and it dries it even more. Try switching to Dove, just be careful with it getting in you LO's eyes. As far as laundry detergent, we use Ecos. It's made with coconut oil, and that's what we use for lotion. That, or just plain Vaseline.

    Using a blanket when others are holding him will help. It can be very tough for family members to understand the importance of this. After four years, our family still blows it off as no big deal. But they aren't the ones that deal with the constant itching, red skin and complaints from my son. We've been to Children's for dermatology visits, and he sees a dermatologist every three months. But the main thing that helped was stopping the use of any liquid soap or lotion. Vaseline can be your best friend!
    IAmPregnant Ticker
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  • ForeverNewlyWedsForeverNewlyWeds member
    After testing a bit we're already seeing results with the scent and dye free detergent and eliminating j&j products. Yay! So looks like the only issue now is how to deal with family and friends - his clothes do in fact protect most of his body but its the exposed areas (face, head, little bit of neck) that were most affected, which is why dr jumped to our detergent vs his.

    So any ideas on protecting those parts? silly question, but how would you use the blankets? I obviously won't be wrapping up his face and head (he still has limited head control).

    @Bsnipes - sorry to hear your family isn't more understanding. Wishing you guys the best!
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  • BSnipes35BSnipes35 member
    Just have them lay a blanket over their shoulder or arm when holding baby.

    Family is what is is! Lol

    Good luck to you and yours!
    IAmPregnant Ticker
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  • ForeverNewlyWedsForeverNewlyWeds member
    Thanks! We will start giving it a try.
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  • Mom38673Mom38673 member
    My daughter has been to a dermatologist several times for this. He says All Free and Clear and no dryer sheets! Soap, use Dove Sensitive Skin in the bar form only. Dr says the body washes have more chemicals. Stay away from products with fragrances. People visiting should wash their hands at your house with your soap. Like the others have said, use blankets between them.
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