Diaper rash is common in babies and can be caused by exposure to urine or feces, allergies, or sensitivity to certain products. Prevention methods include using diaper cream, changing diapers frequently, and using soft cloths instead of wipes. If the rash persists, seek medical attention to rule out a yeast infection.
Diaper rash is a normal, albeit uncomfortable, part of being a baby. It can appear from a slight flush to a raised redness on the skin, and babies who have the condition may look irritated, especially during diaper changes. There are ways to help prevent this rash, and also signs you should look for to be sure the rash doesn’t turn into a yeast infection, which requires medical attention. Also, if a rash is very red and raised and seems to be causing a lot of discomfort, and the usual methods of clearing up the rash don’t work, you should see your child’s doctor.
Diaper rash is a skin irritation, often from exposure to urine or feces over long periods of time. Babies can also have a semi-allergic response to foods eaten by nursing mothers, or they can show sensitivity to different types of diapers, baby wipes or detergents. If a particular brand or type of wipes or diapers seems to be causing the problem, switching to a different type of wipes or wipes may fix the problem. When you use cloth diapers, you should wash them with the simplest possible soaps, as the rash can be associated with the use of fragranced detergents.
In hot weather, the plastic coating on disposable diapers can cause sweating and rashes. Cloth diapers may be the better choice, since they’re more “breathable,” but if you can’t change your baby immediately, disposable diapers may be the way to go. In general, if your baby continues to suffer from diaper rash, the condition can be resolved by switching from cloth to disposable or disposable to cloth diapers. If you must use disposables, at least consider switching brands to see if that helps.
When a baby has diaper rash, rash cream usually helps resolve the condition. Ointments and creams help provide a barrier from the skin and usually contain zinc oxide. Many, like Desitin®, also have fish oil. If a baby is prone to diaper rash, you may want to use diaper cream several times a day to prevent the incidence of the condition.
Baby wipes, normally a helpful tool for parents, can be a problem for babies with rashes. Soaps or chemicals in washcloths can further irritate a cracked and sore butt. When you can, you should consider using soft cloths and clean your baby’s bottom with water and a soft cloth only. Use another cloth to pat the baby’s bottom or let the baby be exposed for a few minutes to dry the area.
If you notice that the diaper rash isn’t improving after a few days of home treatment, consider seeing your child’s doctor. Sometimes, diaper rash turns into yeast infections, mostly because warm urine can easily provide a culture for yeast. Yeast infections tend to need antifungal creams to clear up properly, but these should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.
In most cases, the following steps can be used to help prevent or treat diaper rash:
1. Keep babies in diapers that seem to hurt their skin the least
2. Change babies frequently
3. Use diaper cream if rashes occur often
4. Change brands or types of diapers when rashes occur
5. Use soft cloths with warm water only instead of baby wipes
6. Give your child’s bottom a couple of airing sessions each day
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