eczema/rash from carrier

[richtea]

Hi
I am wondering if anyone out there has ever had any problems with rashes or eczema caused from carriers.

I have been carrying Billy (18 months) in an Ergo since he was about 10 months old (back and front carries). We've always been very happy with the Ergo and I love carrying him. Recently I bought a Storch and have started to practice wrapping (very novice! largely due to wriggly boy!) However, we have encountered a problem in the last month or so, which we haven't had before. Billy has started to get red patches on the back of his knees. He's never had eczema elsewhere (so I'm not even sure if that is what it is). DD is convinced it is caused by the carrier - I was certain it wasn't, since we have never had a problem before. But it does seem to flare up after I've been carrying Billy. This is a real shame because I don't want to stop carrying Billy, but I don't want to inflict skin problems on him either! Perhaps a change of washing powder would help... don't know what else to try...any ideas / suggestions / similar experiences out there? I just can't believe it would be the Ergo or the Storch since all my experiences of these carriers have been very positive...

heres hoping there is a simple solution....

Haidee
Mum to Billy

[richtea]

I should add that I haven't washed either of the carriers in a different washing powder and Billy is always wearing long trousers, so his skin isn't coming into contact with the fabric of the carriers.

Haidee

[fazzie]

DS gets eczema too, but not from carriers - i do try to make sure that his legs are covered though - don't know why - i think i worry it might dig in although i'm sure it doesn't. sometimes i just put some baby leg warmers on him if he hasn't got any trousers on! hth

[MoominHannah]

http://www.storchenwiege.com/oekotext100.htm

This from the Storch website and refers to the safety and purity of their textiles. I can't see how it could directly be the wrap as he wears long trousers. Perhaps it's the *rubbing* from the wrap, rather than an allergic reation. Or heat rash?

One thing about allergies and eczema I learnt from Oz (and his occasional mild eczema) is that even washing powder and other things that you've always used can all of a sudden become allergens - in fact that is one of the characteristics of allergy - the only useful thing our Health Visitor ever told us was the story of a colleague who after 15 years as a nurse, suddenly developed an allergy to the latex gloves she'd always used.

I really don't know what else it could be - I'm flummoxed!

[kl_gendron]

I agree with the 'rubbing' and 'heatrash' theory - my son often gets 'red' marks on the backs of his legs (but he also gets some red marks from his nappy wraps), neither bother me that much and both fade quickly.

Are the marks in the same place as where the wrap/Ergo sit on his leg? You might find that because he is bigger his legs are 'swinging' a bit more (which may cause the rubbing). My ds likes to swing his legs about. If you think it is eczma or another skin condition, try bathing him less and when you do, don't use any soap (you might find that he is just getting a bit of dry skin on the backs of his legs). Another miracle cure is oatmeal baths - put some porridge oats in a nylon stocking, tie the end and let the bath water go through it - turns the water all milky and really helps with dry skin (or chicken pox!)

cheers,
k

[mamadillo]

dd3 gets eczema, and I did first notice it behind her knees after I started back-carrying in my home-made wrap (the famous-in-some-quarters bit of a duvet cover) but I think that might have been more circumstantial... or perhaps the rubbing kicked it off as an 'exit point' but the actual trigger was (and still is) eggs.

[richtea]

Thanks for your replies - I think we are going to change washing powder and reduce the use of skin soap in the bath and see if it helps. I think that the problem is the rubbing, rather than the carriers themselves. Will have to monitor things. I didn't know that babies could suddenly become allergic to seemingly acceptable things that hadn't previously caused a problem (thanks for pointing this out to me, Hannah) - could be a food allergy, could be anything!!

Oh well, all in the rich tapestry of being a parent....


cheers!
Haidee

[mamadillo]

I've acquired some wool 'longies' from a friend whose son suddenly started having rashes from them, after months of trouble-free use. So yes it does happen.

[melthammum]

DS has red patches behind his knees and he also gets it at his elbows too- he doesn't get carried. DD does and doesn't get patches!

I think DS started at around 18 months and it seems to be seasonal too. It is suddenly get bad again after it being good since summer.

I hope what you are trying works. Good luck.

Kirsty