If you’re a parent, you’re probably always looking for ways to keep your baby safe and healthy. And when it comes to diaper rash, one of the most common issues babies face, you may be wondering if cinnamon can cause diaper rash.
In this post, we’ll take a look at whether or not cinnamon can cause diaper rash and offer some tips on how to prevent this skin issue.
Is cinnamon good for babies?
Yes, but only in moderation. Just a tiny amount can be enough to give you a bit of flavor! It also contains small amount of fiber, manganese, iron, calcium as well as Vitamin K. It could even possess antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties on the body.
It is best to choose Ceylon cinnamon powder whenever you can and ensure that you use the varieties of cassia cinnamon to provide only a small amount rather than a large spoonful.
Cassia cinnamon tree (also known as Chinese cinnamon Indonesian cinnamon Korintje cinnamon Padang cinnamon Saigon cinnamon along with Vietnamese cinnamon) has more coumarin, an endocrine-dangerous plant chemical that could cause health problems if consumed in large quantities.
One teaspoon of cassia cinnamon is more than the daily tolerable intake of coumarin in adults, as per the European Food Safety Authority. This means that just a teaspoon is sufficient for an average-sized infant.
However, it is not likely that your baby will be eating cinnamon in large quantities as it is mostly used for flavoring foods preparation across all cultures.
There is some evidence that cinnamon improves the body’s ability to control blood sugar, which may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Ceylon cinnamon is higher priced than cassia. If you’re a fan of cinnamon you should buy both varieties and save Ceylon as a substitute for dishes that require plenty of this tasty spice! To sprinkle a little on baby food the cassia varieties of cinnamon are good enough.
When to introduce cinnamon as baby food?
According to certain research, newborns can react to particular smells and spices as early as the womb’s amniotic fluid. This serves as a “blueprint” for what the infant will likely appreciate as they grow older.
Taste buds form as early as 7-8 weeks after conception. Before introducing any spices to your infant, doctors advise waiting until he or she is at least 6 months old. The aromatic ones, such as cinnamon, are the first to come up with ideas. Eating cinnamon in small amounts stimulates their taste buds.
Cinnamon and other aromatic spices are often given to youngsters in several cultures. Perform a skin patch test on your baby before administering cinnamon for the first time as your baby’s food.
Don’t use too much cinnamon in your baby’s meal, just like you wouldn’t use too much of any other herb or spice.
Can a baby’s skin be allergic to cinnamon?
Contact dermatitis is by far the most frequent type of allergic reaction that a baby can get from cinnamon.
This allergic reaction is considered to be a skin reaction and manifests on the skin within a few hours after your baby’s skin comes in direct touch with the substance. Baby’s don’t usually eat huge amounts of cinnamon which makes it an extremely unlikely food allergy.
If you feed your baby any food item that has cinnamon that can trigger the common allergy symptoms, contact your doctor right away for an assessment. Prolonged exposure to cinnamon may cause irritation to the sensitive skin or trigger the development of an allergy.
How to know if your baby is allergic to cinnamon?
After eating cinnamon, your baby may become fussy, inconsolable, and agitated.
Cinnamon allergies are uncommon, but they can happen if you have a compromised immune system or a family history of allergies:
Skin reactions
- Tingling or itchy skin on the body or in the baby’s mouth
- Hives (small patch)
- Skin symptoms like eczema, rashes, and blisters
- Irritation and general redness and skin reactions
Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Stomach upset and stomach cramping
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Respiratory
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath itchy throat or wheezing
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Itchy, red, and sore eyes and mouth
Anaphylaxis is a rare occurrence. It is best to notify emergency professionals as soon as possible if one or more of these occur:
- Swollen lips, tongue, and throat can restrict airways
- Nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath due to constricted airways
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Stomach cramping and vomiting
- Hives
- Blood pressure loss
- Consciousness loss
- A heart rate that is quite fast
It’s crucial to talk to your doctor about any cinnamon allergy you’re worried about, especially if you have a baby who can’t articulate her problems.
If your child is allergic to cinnamon, you must read all food labels with extreme caution. It’s also in shampoo, toothpaste, chewing gum, and a variety of other products you might not expect to find it in.
If your infant appears lethargic and flushed, dial 911 for emergency medical attention.
What causes cinnamon food allergy?
Certain foods, such as cinnamon, can trigger an allergic reaction. Cinnamon food allergy is a known occurrence, despite being a rare allergen. Certain situations may put your babies at risk of having a cinnamon food allergy.
Genetics
If you or one of your parents has a history of food allergies, there’s a risk your babies will inherit your food allergy to cinnamon.
Illness
Because allergies influence your immune system, a serious sickness in the near future could make your babies very vulnerable to external chemicals. This suggests that the body may perceive cinnamon as a potential infection agent, prompting the immune system to attack them.
Cross-sensitivity
If your child has a history of allergic responses, he or she may develop an allergy to cinnamon. Babies who have allergies to other foods, such as nuts and wheat, are more prone to develop a cinnamon food allergy. Cross-reactivity is the term for this. When the immune system senses that one protein is closely connected to another, cross-reactivity occurs.
The immune system creates antibodies as well as a chemical known as histamine. Histamine causes irritation and inflammation all over the body.
What to do if your baby has a cinnamon food allergy?
The severity of the allergic reaction will determine the course of treatment. The doctor will try to reduce the number of symptoms and their severity so that the baby’s life is not jeopardized.
Cinnamon food allergy in babies can be treated in two ways:
Medication
If your is allergic to cinnamon and the symptoms are minor, the doctor will probably prescribe an antihistamine. You can take it orally at home. In the event of anaphylaxis, the doctor will administer epinephrine, commonly known as adrenaline. He would recommend that you buy auto-inject epinephrine shots to keep on hand in case the baby goes into anaphylactic shock again
If your baby’s doctor fears he is allergic to cinnamon, she may recommend a skin patch test. During this test, the pediatrician applies a tiny patch containing cinnamon to your baby’s skin for 20 to 30 minutes.
If the skin is normal once the patch is removed, your baby is most likely not allergic to the material. If your baby is allergic to cinnamon, your doctor would advise you to avoid it and eliminate it from the diet.
Dietary Changes
The doctor will advise you to remove cinnamon from your baby’s diet and avoid all foods containing cinnamon. You should avoid cinnamon foods if you are breastfeeding him. This will keep allergy problems from recurring.
After a course of treatment, the baby may no longer exhibit the symptoms. However, because there is no cure for cinnamon allergy, avoiding cinnamon is the only way to keep your baby safe.
Additional Information
- The immune system creates antibodies to fight the cinnamon, which causes histamine release, which causes irritation and inflammation throughout the body.
- Anaphylaxis is life-threatening medical emergency. Call 911 immediately for emergency medical attention.
- Most kids outgrow their food allergies by age three.
Does cinnamon cause diaper rash?
Yes, heavy exposure to cinnamon might cause skin irritation. Cinnamon allergies are quite rare. Giving your baby a lot of this new food, on the other hand, might cause skin irritation, upset stomach, and, in rare cases, an allergic reaction. However, giving your baby too much of anything is rarely a healthy idea.
Clinical study shows that cinnamon can occasionally induce contact dermatitis, a non-life-threatening allergic rash. The rash typically appears as a sunburn, with redness, peeling, and itching. Avoiding it and cinnamon-containing goods is the best strategy to treat this rash.
How to take care of your baby’s diaper rash caused by an allergy to cinnamon?
Diaper rash is a typical, but uncomfortable skin rash that is common in infants. It can be caused by a lot of factors like food allergies to cinnamon. It is crucial for caregivers and most parents to be aware of the best ways the treatment of diaper rash and stop the symptoms from getting worse.
However, these remedies at home can ease your child’s discomfort.
Cornstarch Bath
Medically, it’s been established that cornstarch could be an effective treatment of diaper rash contingent on the application. This is due to the fact that in comparison with other treatments the cornstarch solution is safe, fast, and efficient.
Applying cornstarch onto the diaper rash of your baby stops the redness of the skin and also irritation caused by sweating from your baby’s diaper. Typically, any kind of baby powder for talcum is the first port to check, but it could cause severe respiratory problems. However, this isn’t the case for cornstarch, as it is a secure solution.
Another reason why having a bath with cornstarch on your baby is the most preferred option is the fact that applying the cornstarch to your baby’s skin will provide quick relief of the discomfort caused by diaper rash. It also lessens its severity and prevents its spread into other areas in the body.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Just a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, diluted by half a cup of water can soothe diaper irritations for babies. Simply apply a tiny amount of vinegar onto a washcloth, then rub it onto the clean baby’s bottom.
Dry the area and use the same diaper. After several weeks, your area will appear less red and soft than it was before. When the eruption is extremely severe it could sting the baby slightly so please take care not to sting the baby.
Aloe Vera
Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities, researchers determined that the use of aloe vera as a home treatment for diaper rash was convincingly justified. Aloe vera looks to be safe for use on most babies over the age of three months, but consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Egg Whites
Egg whites are an efficient treatment for nappy rash thanks to the protein content they have. Proteins contain properties that help to moisturize and soothe your baby’s bottom and aid in the elimination of harmful viruses or bacteria in their body that may be responsible for their itchy rash.
Utilizing a raw egg offers numerous health advantages. Simply apply it to the baby’s rash by using some cotton wool or a wipe of cotton.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an excellent technique to treat your baby’s diaper rash gently. However, it is so light that it may not be strong enough to treat a severe rash.
Bottom Line
Cinnamon is not a common allergen but can happen in babies and toddlers. Allergies to cinnamon are often associated with diaper rash which is a type of allergic reaction.
If you notice that your baby or toddler is allergic and has an itchy bottom after eating food containing cinnamon, see if they show any other reaction and signs of allergies like coughing or sneezing. You may want to consider removing the delicious spice from their diet for a while until things clear up because allergen exposure could be making them feel worse than they would otherwise.
There’s no need to panic about this one too much though! The good news about these types of allergies is that once exposed long enough without ingestion, most kids outgrow them by age three so don’t worry too much
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be aware of the different factors that can cause diaper rash, and what you can do at home to ease your baby’s discomfort. If you want a more comprehensive treatment for your child’s rash, contact our team of experts and we can help create a customized strategy for treating their skin irritation.
Remember, if the symptoms persist or worsen over time, don’t hesitate to consult with your pediatrician as well!
