Scientists reported on Monday that they'd identified the preservative used in most popular wet wipes causing some children's skin to break out in itchy, cracked, red rashes.
A chemical called methylisothiazolinone (MI) was pinpointed as the culprit, according to researchers at the University of Connecticut's School of Medicine, who conducted a study that revealed the preservative as potentially harmful.
Although no cases of allergic reactions to wipes have been reported in the United States, scientists now think that the chemical could contribute to conditions like eczema, the Daily Mail reported.
"I think it may be more common than people realize," UConn associated professor of dermatology Dr. Mary Wu Chang told NBC News.
Six children were studied for the analysis, all of whom suffered from severely itchy, uncomfortable and chapped rashes.
One of the children who participated in the study was an eight-year-old girl who had intense redness all over her face and buttocks. She'd already received antibiotic and steroid treatment for the rash, but every time she returned home, the redness would return.
At the behest of the Dr. Chang, the girl's mother stopped using baby wipes. According to the Daily Mail, the child's rash then disappeared.
Chang noted the positive aspects of the baby wipes, but suggested that parents avoid the product altogether.
"They're so convenient. I have three kids, so I know how hard it is to do the changes, especially when you're traveling. But maybe when you're at home, it would be better to use a gentle cleanser and water. That way, you minimize exposure."
University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre's Dr. Robin Gehris said children are breaking out in rashes at alarmingly high rates that are steadily increasing. Gehris wagered that might mean wet wipes companies are using MI in higher quantities.
Cosmetic companies like Johnson & Johnson and L'Oreal are reportedly making moves to take the chemical out of their most popular products.
