‘She went from 100% healthy to her eyes blistered shut.’: Parents share urgent warning about children’s makeup kits

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Illinois mom and dad Kylie and Tony Cravens are sending an urgent warning to other parents about the ingredients in children’s cosmetics after their beloved 3-year-old, Lydia, suffered a “severe allergic reaction” that they say left her “eyes swollen and blistered shut with a rash all over her body.”

“I’m making this post because I feel like it is very important to remind parents to be very careful about what we allow our children to have. For Tony and I this was definitely an eye opener and we will be more cautious about acknowledging ingredients and educating ourselves on what is good and bad before purchasing from here on out.

Toddler's face with blisters all over it from using children's makeup kit
Kylie and Tony Cravens

About 8 days ago we bought this makeup set from the Family Dollar here in town. Thinking it was a harmless and non-toxic kids makeup set, and having bought Lydia this same type of thing, just a different brand, we never imagined after spending the day applying it to her eyes and lips that our worst nightmare would come true.

Children's makeup kit that made little girl's face blister
Kylie and Tony Cravens

There are 6 different chemicals in this makeup that are commonly known to cause an allergic reaction. Lydia unfortunately was one of those people allergic, and for the past week she has been going through a severe allergic reaction SO SEVERE she had to be admitted to Carle pediatrics in Champaign. In 24 hours, our little girl went from 100% healthy to having her eyes swollen and blistered shut with a rash all over her body, that we would have to apply cold packs to every 30 minutes or so because her skin was burning. She was unable to eat much for days because of the blistering and cracking of her lips.

Little girl whose face was blistered from makeup kit sleeping with towel over her forehead
Kylie and Tony Cravens

Lydia has been through so much these past few days. Good news is we are home from the hospital today and she is doing better!!! PLEASE be aware of what you are letting your babies have… ESPECIALLY kids cosmetics…. so this doesn’t happen to your child.”

Little girl whose face was blistered from makeup kit sleeping
Kylie and Tony Cravens
Little girl whose face blistered from makeup kit lying in bed looking up with towel over forehead
Kylie and Tony Cravens

Two days later, Lydia’s father, Tony, added a new heartbreaking post about his daughter’s health.

“I usually don’t do this. It’s usually my wife that does the posting, but as I sit here and watch my baby girl sleep, I can’t do anything but weep uncontrollably. All the tears that I have watched my baby girl cry, all the screams in pain and all the times she would say, ‘I hate being sick daddy’ — I’m not man enough for this. I don’t wanna hear any more screams or ring out any more cold rags to lay across my baby’s face or across her back. I just want this to be over. I wanna wake up in the morning and see her get out of bed on her own, or the first thing she wants to do is play kitchen. I want to see her smile again.”

Little girl whose face blistered from using makeup kit lying in hospital bed
Kylie and Tony Cravens

Kylie, Lydia’s mom, told Love What Matters that she knows a lot of parents buy these products for their children thinking they are harmless, never imagining that something would happen to their child “like what has happened to our Lydia.” 

“Please!!! Check ingredients thoroughly before purchasing. If you’re going to allow things like this for your children, just know what it is you’re exposing them to,” she said.

Toddler whose face blistered from makeup kit lies in hospital bed with colorful blankets and stuffed animals
Kylie and Tony Cravens
Toddler whose face blistered after using makeup kit smiles while sitting up in hospital bed
Kylie and Tony Cravens

On March 22, the family provided an update that their little girl is slowly but surely feeling better.

“Lydia is doing great, we have had big improvements in the last 24 hrs. Still has some itching but the burning is gone. Hives are still on her face and neck but those to are starting to fade. SHE IS SMILING AGAIN.”

I wasn't going to post anymore but after thinking about all the love and support everyone showed my beautiful lydia it…

Posted by Kylie Jo Cravens on Thursday, March 22, 2018

A spokesperson for Family Dollar told Love What Matters they have “not heard from the family directly” but are “pleased to hear that Lydia is recovering from her allergic reaction.”

“In 2016, we purchased a supplier’s product matching the photo in social media. In accordance with our procedures, our supplier’s product had been independently tested for toxic chemicals,” Randy Guiler wrote in an email. “Upon being made aware of this incident, we re-confirmed that test results showed that no toxic chemicals were found in these make-up kits. We have received no other complaints or claims of allergic reactions related to this product.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Kylie and Tony Cravens of Georgetown, Illinois. Submit your story here, and be sure to subscribe to our best love stories here.

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