Living With Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is very common in babies, especially those between 4 and 15 months old. Do the best you can to prevent it. But sometimes it cant be avoided. Home treatment often clears up diaper rash in a few days. If that does not work, call your family doctor.
If you use cloth diapers, you should also keep these tips in mind.
- Wash diapers in hot water with bleach to kill germs. You can also boil them for 15 minutes on the stove after washing.
- Rinse diapers 2-3 times to remove all soap and chemicals.
- If you use detergent, be sure to choose detergent for sensitive skin. There are some brands specific to babies and cloth diapers.
- Avoid fabric softener and dryer sheets, which can irritate skin.
- Try to avoid plastic pants that fit over diapers. They increase heat and moisture in the diaper area. This makes it easier for diaper rash to start and for germs to grow.
Manifestations Of Diaper Rash
Diaper rash generally presents as a bright red irritation on the scrotum and penis in boys and on the labia and vagina in girls.1It includes a wide range of dermatoses, such as scaling, blistering,ulcers, large bumps, pimples, or purulent sores. Children who are ableto do so may scratch the area during diaper changes. If the areaexhibits a beefy-red appearance, if there are small red bumps at theouter edges of the affected area, or if the child cries violently whenurine touches the skin, candidal colonization is likely and a physicianreferral is mandatory.2,3
Help My Baby Is Bleeding From A Diaper Rash
Oh no, your babys tush is cracked and bleeding. As parents, theres nothing worse than having a suffering baby, so a baby with a diaper rash is no laughing matter.
Diaper rash, if left untreated, can turn into a serious infection. The good news, its very easy to treat and most are cleared up in just a few days.
Here is a list of things you can do to treat and prevent diaper rashes.
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What Are The Treatments For Diaper Rash
No matter how careful you are, your little one will probably get diaper rash at some point. Most babies do.
Luckily, there are creams and ointments to take care of the problem and diapering know-how that can help prevent it before it strikes.
So, plan ahead. Learn how to treat diaper rash and prevent flare-ups. Your baby’s little bottom will thank you!
Diaper rash happens when:
- You leave a wet or dirty diaper on too long
- Your babys skin rubs or chafes against the diaper itself
- Your baby gets a yeast infection
- Your baby gets a bacterial infection
- Your baby has an allergic reaction to their diaper
Babies get a diaper rash more often when they:
- Get older — especially between 9 and 12 months old
- Sleep in poopy diapers
- Are taking antibiotics, or if you take antibiotics and are nursing
Diaper Rash Treatments And Remedies:
There are various treatments for diaper rash, including at-home remedies or prescribed medication that can help to ease the symptoms and heal the skin.
You should try to avoid heavily fragranced products and always consult your doctor if you are unsure how to treat your baby.
Lets go through some of the treatments below!
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Consider Alternative Soothing Remedies
Some people claim that alternative or natural remedies provide better relief for their childs diaper rash.
However, most of these methods havent been researched and arent backed by scientific studies. Use caution with any of them and stop if you notice that the rash is getting worse or doesnt seem to be healing.
Popular alternative remedies include:
Medical Treatments For Severe Diaper Rash
In case the rash does not go away with home treatment, your doctor may prescribe the following:
- Cream containing hydrocortisone for topical application
- Anti-fungal cream, if the rash is caused due to fungal infection
- If the infection is caused due to bacteria, topical or oral antibiotics may be given
- Medications with steroids should be used only if prescribed by doctor, as long use of steroids can cause other problems.
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Give That Derriere Some Breathing Room
Disposable diapers are designed to hold moisture. Because of this wonderful design it also traps moisture against the babys skin. So a good way to combat diaper rashes is to give their booty a little air time.
If youre uncomfortable letting your baby go commando, cloth diapers are a great alternative. Cloth diapers are made from cotton inserts and a PLU lining. That allows airflow while saving your floors.
Does The Type Of Diaper You Use Cause Diaper Rashes
You would think that the invent of super fluid-absorbing disposable diapers decreased the rate of diaper rash. Interestingly, the studies actually do not support that.
Many studies have tried to show that babies who use disposable diapers have less diaper dermatitis than cloth and the results actually arent there.
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Whats Behind A Diaper Rash
In order to prevent and treat diaper rashes, its first helpful to know what causes them:
Irritation Diapers can hold a babys urine and feces for an extended period of time. If a diaper is left on too long, it can cause skin to become irritated and inflamed.
Sensitivities For some babies, diaper rashes can be from allergies or sensitivity to things such as soaps or diaper wipes. They can also be due to increased stools caused by allergies to food products.
Infection The moist environment of your babys diaper area is prime breeding ground for bacteria and fungi to grow.
Occupy A Baby During Diaper Changes
The other common suggestion for changing a squirmy baby diaper is to occupy a baby during diaper changes. with pretty much anything that will work.
You can try a favorite toy, your car keys, your phone, their pants you just took off, the wipes container, a baby food feeder or snack, or any object that is usually off limits. My friend said that she let her son play with a baster, spatula, and other random objects around her house .
Sometimes it worth keeping snacks or toys that are only used for diaper changes.
This can work pretty well, especially if your child likes it and they will keep the object near their face, and use both hands to play with the object. The problem with this method is if the baby doesnt like the object for more than 5 seconds and continues to be a wiggly baby during the diaper change.
I also fear that these objects will end up in their crotch where all the action and poop wiping is going on. Not good. Distractions dont always work.
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What Our Editors Say
“For everything and anything, we used Aquaphor. Rash? Aquaphor. Baby acne? Aquaphor. At one point, we put it all over our baby’s body and healed some sort of irritation. We use it for every diaper, and she’s never had a bad diaper rash. Keep this in your diaper caddy!” Lauren Levinson, Editorial Director, Verywell Family
Can Diaper Rash Be Prevented Or Avoided
In many cases, diaper rash can be avoided or prevented. Make these steps part of your daily routine.
- Check your babys diaper often and change it as soon as its wet or soiled.
- Allow your babys skin to dry completely before putting on another diaper.
- Secure diapers loosely to allow for airflow.
- Dont allow adhesive tabs to stick to your babys skin.
- Wash your hands before and after changing diapers to prevent spreading germs that could cause infections.
- Some babies get rashes often. You can apply a barrier ointment at every diaper change to prevent irritation. Products that contain zinc oxide or petroleum are good choices.
- Dont use powders, such as cornstarch or baby powder, on your babys bottom. Inhaled powder can irritate their lungs.
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Best For Every Day Use: Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Cream
Courtesy of Amazon
The best way to prevent diaper rash is by applying a diaper rash cream to your babys bottom every time you do a diaper change, regardless of whether they have a rash or not. For this, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant is perfect. Formulated to be used all over the body for relief from chapped cheeks, minor scrapes, dry skin, and diaper rash, this petroleum-based cream is clear, light, and breathablemaking this versatile product a must in any parent’s medicine cabinet.
What Is Newborn Baby Diaper Rash
Let’s begin by addressing the first and foremost question – what is newborn baby diaper rash? Diaper rash affects many babies and is commonly caused by irritation of the skin.
Diaper rash can be characterized by red patches on your baby’s bottom, or the whole area may be red. Their skin may look sore and feel hot to touch, and there may be spots, pimples, or blisters.2
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Keeping The Diaper Area Dry And Clean
The best way to keep the area around your babys diaper clean and dry is to change the diaper as soon as it gets wet or dirty. Until the rash gets better, you might have to get up in the middle of the night to change the babys diaper.
Apply a cream, paste, or ointment after gently cleaning and drying the skin. Some things, like zinc oxide and petroleum jelly, work well to keep water away from the skin. At the next diaper change, dont try to scrub off this protective layer completely, because that could hurt the skin more. If you do want to get rid of it, use a cotton ball soaked in mineral oil.
What Is The Safest Way To Diaper A Baby
Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, Pediatrician: Whether you choose cloth or disposable, the simplest, safest way to diaper any baby is to have all your supplies within easy reach:Diapers diaper covers if needed moist clothes or wipes ointments or creams and hand sanitizers for yourself. Five month old Gabriella is our model for disposables.
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Other Essentials Baby Items You Could Pack In Your Diaper Caddy
While weve shared with you some of the most essential baby items you should pack in your diaper caddy, here are other helpful ideas you should also include:
- Plastic bag for used diapers or cloth diapers
- Baby soap and shampoo
- Teething Relief Medicine
- Teether
One of the effective tips for using the diaper caddy is to ensure its always well-stocked. So, when youve used an item do not forget to replace it.
Take your time and go through this list of essentials weve shared with you and see if your diaper caddy is stocked with each item.
Im sure youll be glad to have done this the next time you need to change your babys diapers, youll be amazed by how smooth and easy it will be for you. All thanks to you for being informed and organized!
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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Types Of Diaper Rash:
How To Treat Diaper Rash
How to treat diaper rash
Help your baby by following dermatologists tips to prevent and treat diaper rash at home.
Everyone wants a happy, healthy baby however, babies often experience discomfort from diaper rash a condition that causes skin underneath the diaper to become red and tender. Help your baby by following dermatologists tips to prevent and treat diaper rash at home:
Change dirty diapers as soon as possible. The most important tip for treating and preventing diaper rash is to change all dirty diapers even if they are just wet as soon as possible. This reduces moisture on the skin that can inflame a rash.
Be gentle when cleaning the diaper area. Use water and a soft washcloth or baby wipes that are alcohol and fragrance-free. If the rash is severe, use a squirt bottle of water to clean the area, as doing so is gentler to the skin. Next, allow the area to air dry. Let your child go diaper-free as long as possible to let the skin dry and heal.
Apply a zinc oxide diaper cream. This is especially important if the skin stays red between diaper changes. If your baby has severe diaper rash, layer it on like you are frosting a cake. There is no need to remove the cream with each diaper change. It can be fully removed at the end of the day.
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How Can You Prevent Diaper Rash Moving Forward
Following certain habits on a regular basis are likely to decrease the possibility that your baby will get diaper rash. You may want to consider making these practices a part of your normal diaper routine, according to WebMD.
- Wash your hands before and after changing your babys diaper to prevent a range of infections. The CDC has specific recommendations on this.
- Although todays disposable diapers are highly absorbent, and wet diapers may not bother your baby, youll want to limit your babys skins exposure to urine and feces by changing diapers frequently.
- Make sure your babys skin is clean and dry before putting on a new diaper.
- Dont let the diapers tape adhere to your babys skin, as it can cause further irritation.