Hi Jennifer. Sorry to hear about you and the baby. It is probably PI but the way it happened is most likely opposite of your scenario. You must have had it on your arms first. The oil was then transfered to baby's bottom when you picked him up for a bath or during diapering, etc. He broke out first for 2 reasons: His skin is more fragile & tender, and the buttocks skin is thinner than forearm & upper arm skin. Your rash didn't spread to other areas, you are just beginning now to see what parts of your body were exposed to and absorbed PI oil. This is how people get it on their privates. They have no idea they have it on their skin and hands, then touch the privates when going to the bathroom. It breaks out just like the areas that were actually exposed because their hands had invisible oil on them. It only takes a minute amount to cause a rash.
You were correct as once you & your baby broke out in a PI rash, you or no one else can get it by touching the areas or carrying him naked. The ONLY time PI is transferable from perosn to person is when you have the oil on your skin, before you have washed, or you wear someone's clothes that had the oil on it, it could transfer to you. I feel sorry for him in a hot diaper because heat makes it itch worse. I have found though, that since babies nervous systems are not fully matured yet, they don't feel pain in the intensity that an adult would. Unless they are severe, diaper rashes on their bottoms bother us more than it bothers them. I think that is a blessing from God since they tend to get hurt alot learning to walk, teething, playing, etc when infants. Try to let the rash get air when possible. I hope you both recover soon. [email protected] |
