Mild rash, just starting solids

[vancouverbabies]

Anyone else have experience with this? One of my twin girls seems to get a mild reddened left cheek with meals. We just started solids eight days ago. I started them with Heinz Rice Cereal for a day, then switched to the Heinz Organized Whole Grain Rice Cereal. Then I gave them sweet potatoes starting Saturday. I noticed the rash over the weekend. It seems to arise during the meal (breakfast and dinner) and then subside afterwards. It clearly seems related to the food, could it be the type of cereal I am using? I don't think sweet potatoes are likely to cause an allergic reaction? Should I be concerned and switch the cereal or just carry on, the light rash is her only symptom.
Thanks for any help!
TwinMama

[~ Vik ~]

Hi TwinMama!

I would check the ingredients in your cereal - my guess is they probably have skim milk powder in them. I gave ds a rice cereal that I mixed with breast milk and had no problems, then switched to a "just add water" cereal for convenience. He instantly broke out into hives around his mouth and his eczema flared all over his body Rice is recommended as the first cereal grain because it is the least allergenic, and sweet potatoes are not really allergenic either, so I would bet that it's something like milk in the cereal.
I would definitely stop that cereal/brand. I switched ds to an organic milk and soy free cereal brand (Healthy Times) and have not had a problem since. Try it, and see if the rash stops. I hope it does!!
Good luck
Vikki

[Spectra]

Is your little one currently intolerant or allergic to any dairy/soy?  If not, it could be something else.  I looked on Heinz website and the ingredients for both of those products.  Both contain barley malt, and both say contain minimal amounts of gluten, due to the barley.  So if your little one is fine on dairy/soy I would ditch the cereal and find a different brand that does not contain "malt".  If you are in Canada you can try President's Choice Organic baby rice cereal which is free from ALL allergens, from the Superstore or Loblaws I believe.  If you are in a different country I would look at different Organic cereals.  

Here is the link from Heinz website:  http://www.heinzbaby.com/english/ingredient/

If you can try one without gluten and your little one does not get a rash then at least you could pinpoint the cause.  Either way I would bring it up with your doctor, but definitely try a different cereal.