Wet Wipes can cause Rashes

Wet Wipes can cause rashes just like toilet paper can

Wet wipes are being used by many in the belief that they are soothing, provide better cleaning and are generally better for their skin’s well being. People with rashes or hemorrhoids in particular reach for these usually soft, cooling alternatives.

While it is true that wet wipes will provide better cleaning, the soothing action should be seriously questioned. As a matter of fact, many wet wipes actually add to or even cause serious irritation to skin.

So much so, in fact, that some people have been unable to walk for months, or been unable to go to work because of the effect of wet wipes on their skin. Often, the problem was originally put down, mistakenly, to skin conditions such as dermatitis or psoriasis.

In spite of an array of treatments, the soreness and itching did not recede, until the use of wet wipes was stopped. So how and why do wet wipes cause rashes?

The main reasons wet wipes cause allergic reactions are the preservatives that have to be added to the wipes to prevent them from drying out or developing mold.

While even the safest among these additives are effectively capable of causing an allergy, the main culprit is a chemical added by most manufacturers, known as MCI, or methylchloroisothiazolinone.

Several studies have shown that a large percentage of people will react in particular to this one chemical. The reactions can range from minor irritations to severe rashes and soreness to the point of serious pain.

The same goes for many of the additives used to provide the fresh smell and the soothing coolness. Although a lot of them are natural extracts, they can still cause problems in individuals prone to sensitive skin reactions or allergies.

Even specially medicated wet wipes meant to be safe have to contain some sort of preservative and thus represent a risk.

To add to problems, wet wipes – as the name suggests – are wet and after cleaning an area with them, it remains damp. This alone can ultimately lead to soreness. Using toilet paper to dry the area is of little help, as toilet paper can also cause irritation.

Finally, wet wipes are often flushed straight down the toilet, where they can not only cause clogging in pipes and septic systems, the chemicals contained within them are also released freely into the environment.

So what should an individual do to prevent rashes from wet wipes and/ or toilet paper and prevent the environment from being affected, too? One has, after all, got to keep clean.

The best, safest, way both for personal health and environmental reasons is to use a bidet for personal hygiene after bowel movements. By cleaning the area thoroughly through use of warm jets of water, perfect cleanliness is assured without any risk of allergic reactions.

Warm air drying the area prevents soreness created by dampness. The skin is left free from all irritation and the environment is protected from unpleasant, costly clogging and the release of potentially dangerous chemicals.