Diaper Rash:

Diaper rash can cause discomfort for your baby. It is a common condition that makes your baby’ s skin sore, red, scaly, and tender. In majority cases, the diaper rash can be cleared with simple changes in diapering. Read the following tips to eliminate the rashes at the earliest possible.

More About Diaper Rashes:

Diaper rashes grow in warm and moist places – therefore in the diaper regions. These rashes are characterized by red splotches on your baby’s bottom or red scales in the genital area.
Diaper rashes occur due to:

1) Contact of skin with stool/urine

2) New foods or products

3) Sensitive skin

4) Tight diaper

Tips to Get Rid of Diaper Rash

1. Change Diapers Frequently:

The best thing you can do to prevent and treat a diaper rash is to keep your baby’s diaper dry and clean. Also, ensure to not keep the diaper wrapped too tightly.

At times, it is good to leave your baby bottom without a diaper – good to do this during the day time, Therefore, lay them down on a towel – which helps them to keep the diaper area dry.

While changing your baby’s diaper, clean the area gently by using a soft tissue/cloth or a squirt of water. Be gentle, don’t rub the skin too hard and also avoid wipes containing alcohol.
Try using mild soaps or a soap-free cleanser for their baths. Be sure to pat dry, do not scrub.

2.Rules to Follow While Changing a Diaper

If your baby has a diaper rash, be careful during a diaper change. Also, always ensure to use right-sized diapers. Keep checking the diaper for any leakage.

In case of cloth diapers, rinse well twice or thrice to remove all soap. Infants with sensitive skin are more prone to catching an infection. Also, superabsorbent disposable diapers can help in keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry.

3.Creams and Jellies to Prevent a diaper rash

You can use creams that contain zinc which helps to soothe the baby’s skin and prevent contact with feces and other irritants.

Jellies- best to use vaseline, as it is inexpensive and contains very fewer dyes or perfumes. However, the cons of jellies are they easily get stuck to cloth diapers and can be hard to wash off. They also do not provide a barrier as strong as other creams.

Avoiding a Baby Rash

Avoid using highly fragranced products such as fabric softeners and dryer sheets. Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free are much better to use because they are soothing.

Also, make sure not to put them in tight-fitting clothes. Rubber pants, tight plastic covers over a diaper can be a culprit and makes the area moist and hot.

Applying baby powder also helps. However, most people won’t prefer this idea because your baby can inhale it and it might be a problem if used excessively.

When to See a Doctor?

Yes, the diaper rashes may look painful and irritated but it does not often bother your baby. Incase if the rash looks like an infection, visit a doctor. If your child seems to be in pain due to the diaper rash, again, visit a doctor.

Symptoms of an Infected Diaper Rash:

a) Blisters on the diaper area

b) Fever

c) Redness

d) Swelling of the area

e) Pus or discharge that drains from their bums

Some times, your baby’s rash can also develop into a secondary fungal or yeast infection is known as candidiasis. It looks bright red and raw.

Also, at times it can be found in the creases of the skin with spots of red rash outside of the diaper area on the abdomen or thighs. These are known as satellite lesions.

Check with your doctor or nurse if you notice these symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication depending on the situation.