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Baby wipes and nappy rash - what is the relationship? A review
Emma Mactaggart1, David Orchard2, Mei Mui Tam3
1University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Insights
Baby wipes may be better than water for preventing diaper rash, but contain potential allergens like fragrances and preservatives. Accurate ingredient labeling remains a concern for consumers.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Consumer Product Safety
Background:
- Baby wipes are widely used for infant hygiene.
- Concerns exist regarding their potential to cause nappy rash and skin irritation.
- Comparison with traditional cleansing methods like water and cloth is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of baby wipes versus water and cloth for nappy rash prevention.
- To analyze the ingredients in baby wipes for potential skin irritants and allergens.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Searches were performed in MedLine, Embase, and PubMed.
- 21 studies were included after screening 420 titles and abstracts.
Main Results:
- Most literature suggests baby wipes are superior to water and cloth for nappy rash.
- Identified allergens include fragrances (e.g., linalool), cocamidopropyl betaine, and preservatives (e.g., methylisothiazolinone).
- Industry-funded studies may influence findings, limiting definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Baby wipes show potential benefits for nappy rash but carry risks due to allergens.
- Inaccurate ingredient labeling poses a risk to consumers.
- Further unbiased research is needed to confirm safety and efficacy.
Abstract:
Baby wipes are a commonly used cleansing method for infants. A literature review has been performed to assess if using baby wipes is beneficial or harmful compared to water and cloth in terms of nappy rash. This includes a detailed analysis of baby wipe ingredients, as many skin irritants as well as allergens are identified. MedLine, Embase and PubMed were searched and after 420 titles and abstracts were screened, 21 studies remained for inclusion. Baby wipes are deemed as superior to water and cloth in the majority of the literature. However, no definitive conclusion can be drawn as many studies are also industry funded. The most notable allergens identified are fragrances, such as linalool, cocamidopropyl betaine (surfactant), formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and other preservatives, including methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone. As not all allergens are listed on the label accurately, this can be misleading for the consumer.
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