Diaper Rash: Guidelines for Parents
Diaper Rash affects most babies. It can result in discomfort for your baby and worry for you. However, there are things you can do to try to make your baby feel better if it does occur.
The following information describes the causes of diaper rash, how you can try to prevent it, and how to treat this problem. By knowing what to look for, you can keep your baby happy and comfortable.
What Is Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash is a term used to describe any skin irritation in the diaper area. The known causes of diaper rash include wetness, not changing diapers often enough, and a combination of urine and feces which irritate your Baby’s skin. Other known causes include: overcleansing with soaps, antibiotic usage, and yeast and germ infections.
In many cases, mild diaper rash will appear with no known cause and will heal without any treatment.
How Can You Try To Prevent Diaper Rash?
Avoid harsh soaps and don’t overcleanse. Harsh scrubbing after each diaper change may damage the outer protective layer of the skin. The problem gets worse as the skin becomes more irritated by wetness and bowel movements. You should avoid wipes with alcohol and perfumes, because these products can irritate your baby’s skin. Using water alone as a cleanser may be all that is necessary.
Change diapers immediately after each bowel movement and when necessary to keep your baby dry. Wet skin is easily irritated by bowel movements. Wetness and harsh cleaning could damage and weaken the skin’s protective layer; this often leads to diaper rash.
Avoid too much drying after a diaper change. Gently pat the diaper area with a soft paper towel. You also should avoid using an electric hair dryer-this may cause "wind burn" on your baby’s sensitive skin.
Apply a thin layer of ointment for protection against wetness, and avoid perfumed lotions or powders that can irritate your baby’s skin.
How Can Diaper Rash Be Treated?
Despite your best efforts, your baby still may get diaper rash. If this happens, there are steps you can take to help eliminate this rash.
- Make sure you change the diapers often and avoid air-tight fastening(especially overnight). You can increase air circulation within the diaper by using larger diapers and by loosely attaching diapers. You can also cut the elastic bands on disposables for a loose fit.
- Apply a cream, such as zinc oxide paste, which stays on longer than other any other ointment. This protects the skin by sealing out moisture and the irritants within bowel movements. With each diaper change, make sure the skin is clean and ensure that the layer of paste stays on your baby’s skin.
- Instead of wiping your baby’s skin clean, try using a running stream of water from a squeeze bottle. This is gentle on your baby’s skin, and it is an easy way to rinse off bowel movements and urine in the diaper area. To make the job even easier, put your baby in a sink or tube for easy rinsing.
Call your pediatrician if the rash continues to worsen either on its own or during treatment. A yeast rash, a serious skin irritation, or an infection may require special medical treatment that your pediatrician can recommend.
Are Cloth Diapers or Disposable Diapers Better For Preventing Diaper Rash?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both cloth and disposable diapers. Because diaper rash often occur when skin is wet and irritated, part of the diaper’s job is to keep the baby dry. Cloth and disposables are both effective as long as they are changed often. Talk with your pediatrician to find out which diaper is best for your baby. Some children may be better suited for one type of diaper. Your pediatrician also can tell which soaps, wipes, lotions, and powders may irritate your baby’s skin.
Additional Information
Many parents apply talcum powder to the diaper area during a change; however routine use of talcum powder is not recommended. If you do use it, be sure to keep the powder away from your infant’s face because inhaling it could cause breathing problems.
You can prevent choking or suffocation by shaking talcum powder onto your hands-away from your baby’s eyes, nose, and mouth-and then apply it to your baby. Also, make sure that the container is far away from where your baby can reach it; this will keep your baby from accidentally inhaling the powder.
Remember not to leave your baby alone on the changing table or any surface above the floor. Even a newborn can make a sudden turn and fall to the floor.
If you change diapers often, your baby can usually avoid the pain and discomfort of diaper rash and you can avoid worry. Talk with your child’s pediatrician if you have questions or concerns about diaper rash.
*The information contained here should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your doctor.. There may be variations in treatment that your doctor may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.