Not only is diaper rash caused by moisture, but if you add in sensitive skin and chafing as your baby is constantly wriggling around, it is no surprise that some irritation may be caused!
However, it is important to identify which type of diaper rash your baby has to ensure that you can correctly treat it. 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. 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. It is beneficial to give your baby some diaper-free time several times a day, every day, to allow the skin to breathe, dry out current rashes, or prevent any future irritation that could occur. If you are concerned about accidents, lay a towel down beforehand or place your baby on a dry-wipe mat.
You can even try removing the diaper whilst your baby is sleeping. The more diaper-free time, the better! They are easy to obtain and do not require a prescription from a doctor.
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. Call a doctor or board-certified dermatologist if your baby develops signs of a skin infection.
Signs of a skin infection may include a fever, blisters, pus that drains from the rash, and a rash that does not go away after treatment or worsens. Another sign of a skin infection is if the baby is in pain or is hard to console. It doesn't take much — a thin covering will do. The product can be applied over medicated creams, such as an antifungal or a steroid, when necessary. You could also apply petroleum jelly on top, which helps keep the diaper from sticking to the cream. Ointments, pastes or creams may be less irritating than lotions.
But ointments and pastes create a barrier over the skin and don't allow it to receive air. Creams dry on the skin and allow air through. Talk with your doctor about what type of product would be better for your child's rash. As a general rule, stick with products designed for babies. Avoid items containing baking soda, boric acid, camphor, phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine, or salicylates.
These ingredients can be toxic for babies. Human breast milk. Results are mixed on whether human breast milk applied to diaper rash is better than other treatments. One study showed that applying breast milk to diaper rash is an effective and safe treatment. Infants with diaper rash were treated with either 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment or breast milk. The study included infants. Treatment with breast milk was as effective as the ointment alone.
Another study compared human breast milk with a cream made from zinc oxide and cod liver oil. Newborns with diaper rash were treated with the cream or the breast milk.
The study included 63 newborns. Treatment with the cream was more effective. Generally, a diaper rash can be treated successfully at home. Make an appointment with your baby's doctor if the rash gets worse despite several days of home treatment, is severe or occurs along with a fever. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions.
Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:. In the time leading up to your appointment, avoid products that seem to trigger your baby's rash. Wash your baby's bottom with water after each diaper change.
Avoid soaps and wipes that contain alcohol or fragrance. Give your baby as much diaper-free time as possible, so that his or her skin can have a chance to stay dry and start healing. When you do use diapers, change them frequently and apply a diaper rash cream, lotion, paste or ointment to act as a barrier between your baby's skin and a dirty diaper.
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