Red, angry around legs...

Help! Our little 4 month-old keeps getting a terrible red rash around leg using meos/air flo covers. Keep making sure they aren't too tight. This is our 2nd little one using these dipes(no problems of any kind for #1). Have stripped, used tea-tree oil, currently using very little Ecos free with vinegar in the washing. Using tea tree/baby oil/water wipes. Washing this all together. When it gets really bad it appears on his lower abdomen. His bum/back looks perfectly fine. Btw, his skin appears to be very reactive in general. Thinking detergent change? Any suggestions?

Hmmm, well I don't have any sure-fire solutions but a couple thoughts did pop into my mind... First, is it possible that he's reacting to the tea tree oil, vinegar or baby oil? I'd try using plain water wipes as much as possible and see if that helps. Also, maybe also make sure that the diapers/covers aren't too loose (as well as not too tight of course). It's possible that if they're too loose that they're moving & rubbing more, hence causing some skin irritations.
 
Also have you shown this rash to a doctor? I'm wondering if eczema or yeast aren't possibilities... Or maybe even food allergies/sensitivities...
 
Other than that it's just the usual change frequently and make sure the diapers are well rinsed (to help elliminate the possibility of a reaction to the detergent). Lots of naked or cover-free time if you can, this may allow the skin to heal properly once and for all (sometimes it starts with one little thing and then the skin just never has a chance to totally heal because other small irritants come into play, stuff that otherwise wouldn't be an issue).
 
If you do suspect it's the detergent and want to switch I would try to elliminate only one thing at a time, so that you're not let's say adding another additive at the same time as you switch detergents and then you're not sure if he's reacting to the detergent or the additive kwim? So either add or elliminate one thing at a time.
 
Karen.

I have found there can be a big difference in skin senstivity between children within the same family.   You indicate you use very little Ecos free.   We do not have experience with this laundry detergent nor do we with most detergents available.  We do know that 100% of all laundry related problems we encouter are with the use of eco friendly detergents.  In general it is our experience that many/most eco friendly detergents do not have the cleaning strength required to properly, deeply clean bacteria laden cloth diapers.  Cloth diapers left sitting in an enclosed pail for a couple days at a time are, at best, a challenge for any detergent.
 
I would recommend that you switch your detergent to Ivory Snow.  It is formulated to be gentle on babies' skin and has been used to wash diapers for generations.  It works well.  Change your baby's diaper often.  To the point that every time he wets, you change him.  This will be a little cumbersome for some time but it should help to heal the skin to the point it is no longer as sensitive if a diaper is left a little longer between changes.  Wash all your wipes and covers this way as well.  Once his skin has completely cleared, if you choose, you can switch back to your eco detergent.  Only use much more rather than a little.  Your diapers should smell clean and fresh following a wash.  If not increase the amount of detergent-especially Eco detergents.  Use hot water.  It helps dissolve fatty deposits in bowl movements.  
 
Follow Karen's instructions as well.  They are good.
 
ERika Froese
 

So, it exzema related dermatitis. Any wet/damp areas were the problem(behind knees, groin, at elbow creases, and under chin/neck roles. Visit to Ped got Rx for steroid oinment, which cleared it all up in about 3 days. Really itching(bad word choice) to get back on cloth. Any suggestions for managing this without constantly reverting back to posies/steroid oinment? I fear even with frequent dipe changes a reoccurence. Little man wets very frequently at times...

My guy has that too - only not in the diaper area, just on his legs, arms and back, all in creases. Once I get the red welts down with the steroids, I put lotion on him in the morning and night, and that keeps the excema welts/rash away. I would say, try using the steriods until the rash goes away, then keep moisturizing the creases in his diaper area with a good, diaper safe lotion (sorry, I can't name one - we use Prevex on legs arms and back, but I"m not sure if it's diaper safe.). I find that is I keep him moisturized, it keeps the skin healthier, which keeps the rashes away. I have used the Penaten every day cream (the German variety if you can find it - the American one isn't as smooth) but I always use a liner (we use baby wash cloths) and that helps when he does get a bit red in his leg creases.
 
Hope that's helpful. We have found the trick for our guys excema was moisutrize. Best of luck.