How To Treat Severe Diaper Rash On A Newborn

Yeast Infection Diaper Rash In Babies

How can I treat severe diaper rash?

Another common cause of diaper rash is a yeast infection, resulting from an overgrowth of fungus located in the digestive tract.In some instances, the same fungus that causes oral thrush, candida, may be responsible for your babyâs diaper rash. This type of yeast infection can occur if your baby has a weakened immune system, which can lead to an overgrowth of the candida fungus.A yeast infection can sometimes develop after your babyâs completed a course of antibiotics or if youâve taken antibiotics while breastfeeding. Antibiotics donât differentiate between good and bad bacteria, killing both kinds, and this can lead to a yeast infection or cause diarrhea, which irritates the diaper area.What to look for: Shiny, bright red patches with sharp edges. There may even be pink bumps or pimples, sores, or cracked skin that oozes or bleeds. A fungal diaper rash is often more severe when it appears in the folds of your babyâs groin, and this is another indication that it may not be your standard diaper rash.What to do about it: If you suspect this kind of diaper rash, contact your babyâs healthcare provider, who may prescribe a topical antifungal cream. Be sure to wash your hands before and after any diaper change to prevent the spread of the fungus.

Switch Diaper Brands Or Sizes

Sometimes its the diaper itself that could be making the rash harder to go away. Every diaper is different, so that even if one baby is fine in one, another could find the same diaper irritating.

If the rash doesnt seem to go away or keeps coming back, one option is to switch to a different diaper brand. Buy a few in small packages at first to see if it makes a difference before getting a larger box. Consider cloth diapers, which tend to be more comfortable and gentle on skin.

Another option is to move up a size in diapers. Sometimes we forget how quickly our babies grow and overlook the signs that theyre ready to size up. If your baby has elastic imprints on his skin, or securing the diaper seems tight, it may be time to get the bigger size.

The Dreaded Diaper Rash: A Pediatricians Advice For Preventing And Treating An Angry Bottom

Your child will likely spend two to three years in diapers. Regardless of the type of diaper you choose, you can expect to battle at least a few diaper rashes. They are common and rarely dangerous, but with these prevention and treatment pointers, you should be better equipped to handle and conquer even the angriest of diaper rashes.

Most diaper rashes are caused when a babys sensitive skin comes into contact with urine and stool. Pediatricians call this diaper dermatitis, which literally means skin irritation from the diaper. This can generally be prevented with a simple coat of clear petroleum or non-petroleum jelly, or ointment applied to the skin of the diaper area. The ointment creates a barrier to protect the skin and makes it easier to wipe clean the sticky meconium stools babies pass in the first week after birth.

Although most diaper rashes are not dangerous, as with all skin conditions in little ones, its important to know the signs of something more serious. Always call or see your pediatrician if:

Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP, is the founder of Calabasas Pediatrics Wellness Center, spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, author of Baby and Toddler Basics: Experts Answers to Parents Top 150 Questions, and mom of three.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

  • How often should I change my babys diaper?
  • What ointment would be best for my baby?
  • Are cloth or disposable diapers better?
  • What should I do if the diaper rash spreads or gets worse?
  • My baby is on antibiotics. Is there a way I can prevent him/her from getting diaper rash?
  • Should I leave my babys diaper off while he/she is asleep?

What Are The Symptoms Of Diaper Dermatitis

HOW TO TREAT DIAPER RASH IN A NEWBORN BABY

The symptoms of diaper dermatitis vary depending on the cause. And symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:

  • Contact diaper dermatitis. Skin that is irritated from urine and feces will look red and shiny. The skin on the buttocks, thighs, belly , and waist may be affected. The skin creases or folds are usually not affected.

  • Candida diaper dermatitis. The skin is a deep red color with patches outside of the diaper area. A baby may also have a yeast infection in the mouth . The creases or folds of the thighs and in the diaper area are usually affected.

  • Seborrheic diaper dermatitis. The skin is red with yellow, oily patches. It also affects the skin folds. It also usually affects the face, scalp, or neck at the same time.

The symptoms of diaper dermatitis can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

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When To See A Doctor

You may consult the doctor when any of the things happen:

  • If the rash doesnt get better with treatment or gets worse in 2-3 days.
  • If the baby develops fever or looks sluggish.
  • If such signs and symptoms of yeast infection as white scales and lesions appear with red rash and swelling, occurrence of small red satellite pimples or redness in the folds of baby skin.

Watch a video to learn more about how to apply a diaper rash cream for babys quick healing:

Other Rashes In The Nappy Area

If the rash doesn’t go away or your baby develops a persistent bright red, moist rash with white or red pimples that spreads into the folds of their skin, they may have an infection.

Ask a pharmacist or health visitor for advice. The pharmacist may recommend a cream for you to use.

If the rash is severe, take your baby to the GP who may prescribe cream or medicine. Follow a GP’s instructions on whether and when to apply barrier cream as well as the prescribed cream.

It’s normal for babies to develop skin rashes, but it’s important to know the difference between a minor irritation and a condition that requires attention.

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What Does Diaper Rash Look Like Diaper Rash Symptoms:

  • Mild diaper rash Pink or red spots. These spots may merge into blotches, affecting a small part of the diaper area. Your baby may cry when passing pee and poop.

  • Severe diaper rash You may notice bright red spots and cracked skin affecting a large part of the diaper area. Your baby may be irritable and restless and could have a high temperature.

  • Fungal diaper rash Inflamed skin and red spots around the edges of the rash. The folds of the skin may also be affected.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what diaper rash looks like. We know that the symptoms of diaper rash can look very nasty but soon you’ll be armed with our tips and be able to better protect your baby’s bottom in no time!

How To Treat Shingles Rash

How to Treat Diaper Rash

6. Slather On Antiviral Honey To Soothe Rash. Heres a sweet remedy for your painful shingles rash! Studies indicate that honey has antiviral properties and can act against the varicella zoster virus. Its also known to be soothing to the skin. 13 So go ahead and dab a little honey on the blistered skin to promote healing. 7.

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When To Call The Doctor

Most mild diaper rashes can be treated at home. It might take a few weeks for the rash to completely go away. But it should start to improve after just a few days of following the above tips.

If your childs rash is severe or does not improve after several days or gets worse, call your doctor. A fungal infection might be involved. Your childs doctor might give you a fungal medicine or a mild steroid cream.

You should also call the doctor if your child:

  • Has a fever with the rash
  • Has bruises, bleeding or open sores in the area
  • Is in a lot of pain or discomfort
  • Is losing weight or seems sick

Diaper rash is a normal part of babyhood, but your baby doesnt have to suffer. Watch for rashes so you can treat them early. And if you have any concerns, call your doctor.

Other Causes Of Diaper Rash

There are some other conditions that can look a little like diaper rash. For example, the rash may actually be seborrheic dermatitis, a condition in which the glands of the skin produce too much oil. Or, the rash may be triggered by a genetic condition like acrodermatitis enteropathica, which is a zinc deficiency. If you believe your babyâs diaper rash may be due to one of these conditions, or if youâre not sure whatâs causing the rash, see your little oneâs healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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Regularly Changing Your Babys Diaper:

If you have discovered that your baby has a diaper rash, it is important to change dirty diapers as soon as they are soiled, keeping the area clean and dry.

There is often a debate over whether cloth diapers are better for your baby than disposable diapers. However, for health and comfort, there is no huge difference.

Any diaper still needs to be changed as soon as it is full.

You should clean the affected areas with warm water and a soft cloth and avoid any wipes or products that contain alcohol.

Try to pat the area dry rather than rubbing the affected skin as this could cause further irritation.

Check The Size Of Your Childs Diaper

Baby Diaper Rash

Wearing the wrong size diaper can increase the chances of diaper rash and make it harder for an active rash to heal. A diaper thats too tight can cause extra moisture and faster rash growth. A diaper thats too large can rub and cause friction that makes rashes worse.

Check your childs current diaper size. Switching to a new size might help.

You can use pastes or barrier creams that contain zinc to soothe the skin and prevent contact with feces and other irritants. Examples of these products include:

  • Triple Paste
  • Desitin

Apply a thin layer to prevent stool or urine from touching your babys skin.

Jellies like Vaseline may be ideal, since theyre inexpensive and usually contain fewer dyes or perfumes. However, jellies may stick to cloth diapers and can be hard to wash off. They also dont offer a barrier as strong as other creams.

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Tips To Get Rid Of Diaper Rash Fast

Diaper rash is a common condition seen in babies. It can be caused by not changing the wet and dirty diapers in a timely manner, not drying the diaper area and many other situations. A diaper rash is not a serious skin condition and it just takes a few simple at-home measures to make it disappear in a few days. There is no such single thing that helps cure diaper rash. However, a combination of a few practices helps your baby get rid of the diaper rash fast.

1. Keep the diaper area clean and dry: The most important thing to remember in a baby with diaper rash is to always keep the babys diaper area clean and dry. For this, you need to keep checking your babys diaper and replace the wet or dirty ones with a fresh diaper.

2. Avoiding scrubbing the area: While you change the babys diaper, avoid scrubbing or rubbing the diaper area dry. Instead, gently clean with scent-free, mild baby soap. Scrubbing is harmful to your babys already sensitive skin.

3. Do not use baby wipes: Do not use baby wipes for drying out the diaper area when your baby has a diaper rash. Baby wipes can irritate the rash further.

4. Air out your babys diaper area: To aid the healing of diaper rash, take steps to increase the exposure of air in the diaper area. What you can do is

6. Change the type of diaper: If you use cloth diapers, try disposables. And if you use disposables, try a different brand to see if this helps.

When To See A Doctor For Newborn Baby Diaper Rash

If you’ve done all you can to clear up that case of diaper rash but it doesn’t seem to be going away or has got worse, it may be time to visit the doctor’s office. Here’s when to consider booking that appointment.2

  • If your baby’s skin bleeds, itches, or is oozing.

  • If your baby has a fever.

  • If your baby appears to be experiencing discomfort when peeing or pooping.

  • If the diaper rash gets worse after home treatment.

You know your baby better than anyone, so if you feel that something isn’t right, get them to a professional as soon as you can for guidance. Your doctor may prescribe you a mild steroid cream if home remedies aren’t working or topical or oral antibiotics for more severe infections.

We know that dealing with newborn baby diaper rash is never a fun job and all the above questions are very normal to have. But now you know what diaper rash is, what diaper rash looks like, diaper rash symptoms, diaper rash causes, how long diaper rash lasts, and how to treat and prevent future diaper rash so now you can face that dreaded irritation with ease. If you found our newborn diaper rash tips useful, be sure to take a look at our other baby skin articles on our Parenting Hub below, or find out more about why WaterWipes are the No.1 wipe against the causes of diaper rash:

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Identifying Different Types Of Diaper Rash

Many parents are unaware that there are several types of diaper rash with different root causesand unique symptoms. They include:

Irritant contact dermatitis: Caused by wet skin coming into contact with the diaper itself, this form of diaper rash appears as redness and swelling on the babys buttocks and along the diaper’s borders.1

Diaper candidiasis:3 This overgrowth of yeast is primarily due to the warm, moist diaper environment. Most commonly seen in the creases along the legs and around the testicles and vulva, this type of diaper rash can also result in large bumps, blisters and pimple-like lesions.1

Allergic contact dermatitis: A specific ingredient or chemical in a diaper, wipe, skincare product or detergent can cause this type of diaper rash. The most common culprits are fragrances and preservatives, however other allergens can be to blame.1

Bacterial infections: Bacterial infections like staph and strep may lead to this less common form of diaper rash, and it requires treatment with antibiotic creams or ointments. If you suspect your baby may have this type of diaper rash, its best to see a pediatrician or dermatologist.4

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