Diapers Q&A

Is it possible to be allergic to Balmex?

I have a fully-potty-trained 2-year-old who was recently struggling with a severe diaper rash. Putting Desitin or Neosporin on it seemed to help. Balmex, creamy Desitin, Butt Paste, Doc Browns (I think that was the name)- none of these helped, and actually sent my daughter into SCREAMING fits when I put them on. When I brought it up to my daughter's daycare teacher, she said she had been putting Blamex on her daily, and that she would scream and cry when she did. Anyway, I finally got the rash to go away with the help of some powerful antibiotics. But now she's showing signs of the rash again- not the typical diaper rash that starts out looking like a heat rash, but more like severe acne. And I also noticed that she smelled like diaper rash cream. When I asked my daughter if her teacher put goo on her, she said yes. Keep in mind that this kid doesn't wear diapers. So what gives? What is causing this rash, and is it possible for the Balmex to be aggravating it?

Public Comments

1. Well I will only say try the Aveeno Diper Rash that is the best one, at the begining I used a lot of different diapers because they were giving to me in the baby shower and since I used that cream she never got rash and they say sometimes the rash is casue by the diapers. And sometimes when I can't change my baby's diaper fast she doesn't get any... Is a good cream, she is 10 months and a 1/2 ans she has never gain diaper rash... It can probably be the material of the panties too, probablic allergic to a fabric or something....
2. It is definitely possible to have a reaction to balmex....it is possible to have a reaction to anything, and kids are sensitive. My question is why is the teacher putting it on when she knows she gets a reaction from it?
3. It might be a yeast infection
4. Yes, I would think that if she screams when you put it on then it doesn't agree with her. My son screamed every time I used Balmex or Destin. So, I switched to Butt Paste without any problem. However, if you say your daughter is fully potty trained and wears underware I would seriously question her daycare provider and ask her why she continues to put diaper rash cream on your daugther. I would also instruct her to not put anything on her without your consent or unless you yourself supply the product. Who knows if the provider is using the same cream for everyone maybe she is spreading a rash.
5. I would NOT use the Balmex. Apparently, 1. It's not working. 2. She screams when you put it on, and 3. It's irritating her more. My son had the same problem's with diaper rash. My pediatrician recommended Aquaphor. It was a life saver for us. It can be used on the bum, on chapped lips, on elbows, on ruddy cheeks, on just about anything you can imagine. I really hope this helps. And try to avoid the wipes. Instead, when she has a rash that bad, put her in the sink and spray her poor little bum down. That way you're not touching an already scorching bum. Just pat dry and put the Aquaphor on and let her air for a while, then put the diaper on. I would have a good talking to, to the daycare lady and explain that you didn't want her to put balmex or any other chemical stuff on and give her a tube of aquaphor instead. This can be found at a pharmacy, or at your neighborhood wal-mart. Look in the skin cream section of the store. Aquaphor is like vaseline in look but has some skin healing stuff in it. It isn't harsh like the other stuff. She could also have a yeast infection, since little girls are naturally prone to it. In that case, use some yeast cream, and then put the Aquaphor on top of it. My doctor has also had me try siver sulphadine cream that she prescribed. It actually is used to treat burns to the skin, and of course, your baby's bum is scorched, so it works. Good luck, hope I helped some. :0)
6. She could be allergic to your laundry soap or foods. Bottoms are sensitive spots. I'd keep track of the rash, what she eats and her BM's for a week and take photos of her rash if you have a digital camera so you can have your pediatrician take a look at the problem. I don't like pastey rash ointments because they don't clean up good. I rotate between brands and powders so the butt doesn't develop a tolerance. I do think overuse of these things can aggravate a rash. Are you able to let her run around the house "freestyle"? Maybe the fresh air on her bottom can help relieve the pain. I'd also have a good talk with who watches her during the day (day care, babysitter) and explain that this is what you wish to be done about her rash. They can be making it worse with what they are using. Is it expired? Are their hands clean?? Does it belong to another child, too harsh, improperly used??
7. Yes, your child's skin is sensitive to something in Balmex. Throw it away and send a note to the day care saying not to put any on your child. You can try hydrocortozone cream to get rid of the rash or call your doctor and she/he can call you in a prescription to clear the rash.