Huggies Diapers Cause Severe Rash and Chemical Burns in Infants - Facts

Story:

**ATTENTION*** DIAPER USING PARENTS!!!***Do NOT use HUGGIES SNUG AND DRY DIAPERS!!!

This past Friday night my 21 month old son Parker was treated in the emergency room for 2nd degree Chemical burns on his leg. This was caused by the diaper breaking and the gel on the inside of the diaper being trapped in his pants on his leg while he napped! I am in the process of filing formal complaints with Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau! These departments have informed me Parker is not the only case of this!!!

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Picture of Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers — Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers

Analysis:

These messages widely circulating on Facebook and elsewhere warn parents not to use Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers, claiming that a 21 month old kid Parker suffered serious 2nd degree chemical burns on his leg after his diaper broke and the gel inside leaked in his pants while he was asleep. It is also said that the child’s mother is in the process of filing formal complaints with Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau. While such an incident did occur, and Huggies Company addressed the issue, the said reasons behind the chemical burns are not substantiated.

Huggies’ Response

The message started circulating on Facebook in early November 2013, post which Huggies Company responded to a related query on Facebook saying they have been investigating with the mother directly, and that all components in their diapers used for many years have been thoroughly evaluated for safety.

The cause of concern in present case is the safety of chemicals used in absorbent gel of Huggies diapers. To a related question in their FAQ section, where a consumer mentions crystals and gel in the diapers and asks about the materials, whether they are harmful, the company explains:

The crystals and gel are forms of a superabsorbent material. Superabsorbent diapers offer significant benefits: drawing wetness away from baby’s skin and helping to keep baby’s skin healthy. In HUGGIES® diapers, superabsorbent material is mixed with the diaper padding. This material turns liquid into a gel, helping to prevent leakage. Occasionally, you may see small beads of gel on the diaper or on your baby, but the gel is nontoxic and will not harm them. Superabsorbent polyacrylate materials are a family of polymers that have extraordinary absorbency. The safety of superabsorbent material has been proven in over 450 consumer safety tests studying every which way a person could come in contact with it – through skin contact, or perhaps a baby’s eating it out of normal curiosity. Each study has consistently demonstrated the safety of this material.

Other Brands

The Superabsorbent polymer, i.e. polyacrylate absorbent material is used in many other brands of Diapers as well, and has been in use since decades. If the adverse reaction really happened because of the diaper gel, then the company should be using some other harmful materials in the making. However, there could be many other reasons for children developing rashes, like foods and medications, and are sometimes mis-attributed to diaper use. It should be noted that similar concerns came up in the past that talked about Pampers Dry Max diapers. Back in 2010, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reviewed the consumer incident and found no specific cause linking the use of Pampers dry max diapers to the rash. The CPSC also mentioned that some babies may be sensitive to the materials used in these diapers. In such cases, they advised parents to discontinue use of the diapers in their children and contact their pediatrician. Moreover, the manufacturing companies also warn that any nappy or diapers left on for too long will result in irritation to baby’s delicate skin:

Diaper rash happens — sometimes with even the most attentive diaper-changing schedule. And surprise! Despite its name, diaper rash isn’t really caused by diapers. Irritant Diaper Dermatitis (the medical term for diaper rash) is caused by babies’ skin being in contact with urine and stool. The acidity, frequency and consistency of the stool, as well as the pH of the urine, all play a role in the development of red, often painful areas on the skin.

To conclude, as of this writing, the reason behind the chemical burns in the child is not proved to be the use of Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers. There were similar claims in the past about Pampers diapers as well, which were proved to be untrue. But unfortunately, some babies are in fact sensitive to the chemicals used in these diaper absorbent gels, so in any such case, parents are advised to discontinue their use and seek the help of a pediatrician soon.