nasty toxic rash cream

[serendipity22]

A couple of days ago i was with my 4 y o in the backyard when I heard my 2 y o son screaming his head off. It turned out the great-grandmother was putting cream for his nappy rash, no doubt caused by wet nappies being left on for hours.

The instructions said "not for use for under 2 year olds". Well thats a red flag. Adverse reactions (side-effects) include burning+stinging, hence the screaming. Another red flag.

The cream contains benzoic-alcohol. Oh dear. My understanding is that benzene (and its derivatives) is highly toxic and a well known carcinogenic (its a key carcinogenic in cigarette smoke), its a paint-stripper and industrial solvent.

It gets worse. According to Wikipedia it has banned as a solvent for 20 years. And benzoic-alcohol has caused convulsions, coma and death in infants.

I have a book that says benzene is one of the most harmful substances for the body.

Another disturbing thing is that some anti-rash creams "work" by removing the outer layer of skin. A doctor told me they CAUSE rashes.

Why is such rubbish allowed to be marketed?

[NonnyMouse]

That ingredient (and other benzene-sounding ingredients) is found in many nappy creams, including Sudocrem, which is one of the most popular nappy rash creams on the market.

Where did (your?) great grandmother get the cream? How long were the wet nappies being left on for? Almost anything placed on a severe nappy rash can cause a child to scream with pain, even plain old water.

[Boobycino]

Jeepers! Did not know that.

Though not for under 2 in a nappy cream would worry me too!

Yeah, I've always had a pretty relaxed air and cold water on a face washer approach to nappy rash that's worked well for us...

[TinyLittleTootsies]

:eek: Which cream??

I dont put cream on my girls becasue I am allergic to most them. I always let them be "nappy-free" if I see them being a bit red. This has always cleared them up by the time its time for a new nappy, and I know this works as I have no other choice.

MIL complains that I dont use it and Dh insists on putting it on them for almost any nappy change (when he does one). It annoys me because I will go to change their nappy and I swear it has irritated them, and if it hasnt, then it makes me itchy all over just from smelling it on them when I change their nappy!! grrrrr. I was told this is impossible to have the rash caused by the cream and i argued well maybe she could be allergic too :rolleyes: Now that you are saying it is bad stuff it makes me even more upset.

Pawpaw ointment seems great to use, but TBH with my nappy free time I have not needed it yet.

[serendipity22]

The cream was not a nappy rash cream as such. It was more like a cream for older people bites, stings and "nappy rash", tagged on at the end. Unfortunately, it got thrown out before I saw the brand name.

There are plenty of toxic substances on the market. Because something is on the market doesn't mean its safe. I recall when some toothpaste was in lead tubes.

Nappy rash is such a minor thing I really don't see the need to apply a toxic substance. Nothing else has made him scream, cold water would not have done it.

Nappy free, water+cloth, paw-paw ointment sound like better options.