Nnewi: Dr Nkechi Nwibo, a paediatrician at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, has issued a caution to parents regarding the use of perfumed baby products. She highlighted that such products could trigger allergic reactions and pose significant health risks to infants.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr Nwibo, who serves as Senior Registrar 1, explained that infants have highly sensitive skin, making them particularly vulnerable to the chemicals found in perfumed creams, powders, and camphor products. She noted that these products could lead to allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, or respiratory irritation. Additionally, camphor, a naphthalene-based mothball product, poses a risk of hemolytic anaemia, especially in babies with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a genetic disorder prevalent in parts of Nigeria that affects red blood cells.
Dr Nwibo recommended safer alternatives such as fragrance-free and hypoallergenic emollients, which align with paediatric guidelines. She stressed the importance of avoiding perfumed products like perfumes, colognes, and scented lotions for infants and young children due to the high risks of skin irritation, allergies, and respiratory issues.
The paediatrician further explained that children’s skin is thinner and more permeable, with higher absorption rates, making them more susceptible to chemicals that can cause eczema, rashes, or asthma. The use of scented creams, powders, and camphor-based products on infants is particularly concerning due to their immature skin barriers and high absorption rates. Dr Nwibo also warned that perfumed products could cause hormonal disruptions, and inhaling scented powders might lead to respiratory distress, underlining the necessity for caution among parents.