Just when we get think we got rid of all the yucky products and toys in our house that have phthalates and PVC…boom another source is discovered. I was really surprised to read over at Debra Lynn Dadd’s message board that many moms are reporting chemical burns from those nifty tagless clothing items. Oy-vay!
Tagless clothing for everyone is the latest rage. With so many kids having sensory issues these seem like a lifesaver. Athletes and fitness buffs love them too because they despise chafing. But according to that message board these labels may be made with “PVC blended into a Phthalate” or ink with “small levels of formaldehyde”. It was even stated that “residual phthalate from not fully fused ink is what is most likely causing the reaction.” And the reactions are horrible. Read this description of a reaction to Carter’s tagless clothes and look at these pictures.
My 8 month old son has had a red, swollen sore/ rash on the top of his back intermittently for the past three months. It seemed rather strange because it was very specific- had clear outlines and it looked like a postage stamp. About three weeks ago, it began weeping intermittently with brown fluid and wouldn’t close. It was bright red and looked like a burn.
At that point, we surmised that it was possibly an aggressive dairy allergy. We dressed him in some Carter’s tagless pajamas and put him to bed.
When I changed him the next morning, I attempted to remove his pajamas and pretty much freaked because as I took off his pajamas, the skin on his upper back came off with it. It was weeping a brown fluid and as I examined the garment, it was evident that the wound fluid had VERY specific demarcations- it was only on the “tagless” carters’ 9 month transparent label.
Wow! This same mom claims that she spoke with a manager a Gymboree who was all too familiar with this complaint. How scary is that?!
If you or your children have any of these tagless clothes pay special attention to any rashes or sores that may develop in the area where the tag is. I cannot confirm if these labels do in fact PVC or phthalates but I would err on the side of caution myself. If these labels are causing chemical burns then we know whatever it is…is pretty nasty stuff.
Update: ZRecs has reported that Carter’s tagless lables were/are made with phthalates and they think the problems with thier labels was isolated to one season.
