Diaper Rash?
Having a diaper rash is a normal part of being a baby.
There are many ways you can limit the amount of rash, but from time to time it will flare up again.
Why Do Babies Get Diaper Rash?
Why Do Babies Get Diaper Rash?
Babies have ultra sensitive skin. Along with moisture of urine and stools, and covered by a diaper that rubs back and forth, diaper rash is not uncommon. This damaged skin is susceptible to the invasion of bacteria and yeast, which can make the rash worse.
Seven Ways To Prevent / Minimize Diaper Rash
If your baby does not have a problem with diaper rash, then you don't need to be too strict with these preventative measures.
If your baby does not have a problem with diaper rash, then you don't need to be too strict with these preventative measures.
However, if you are constantly battling rash, here are some helpful hints to minimize it:
- Change diapers frequently - at least every two hours in newborns. You can space this out as baby starts to urinate less often. Also, newborns often have small, frequent stools, which will slow down as baby grows. Attend to soiled diapers immediately.
- Try different brands - if using disposables, another brand may fit a little better and cause less friction.
- Rinse cloth diapers - add a half-cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. This helps remove alkaline irritants. Your diaper service can also do this.
- Wipe well - be sure to wipe all the stool and urine away.
- Use unscented wipes or just plain water - these are less irritating. You can even rinse out the wipes with water, although this takes more time.
- Diaper rash cream - some lucky babies don't need any. More sensitive bottoms need cream with each new diaper.
There are two basic types of barrier creams:
Petroleum ointment - this is an excellent preventative every-day ointment. It's less sticky and less messy.
White zinc oxide - this is thicker and may be better for babies who are more prone to rash.
Three Ways To Treat Diaper Rash Flare-UPS
No matter how diligent you are with the above measures, your baby will still have a rash from time to time. Here are some tips to treating those rough spots:
Petroleum ointment - this is an excellent preventative every-day ointment. It's less sticky and less messy.
White zinc oxide - this is thicker and may be better for babies who are more prone to rash.
Three Ways To Treat Diaper Rash Flare-UPS
No matter how diligent you are with the above measures, your baby will still have a rash from time to time. Here are some tips to treating those rough spots:
Wash off bottom with water - don't wipe the sore areas. Instead, use a bulb syringe to gently wash baby's diaper area.
Gently dab or pat away any remaining stool. Blot baby's bottom dry
Let it air out - leave the diaper off for a while, with no diaper cream on. Lay baby on a towel (with a waterproof pad underneath to catch accidents) with her bottom up. Do this as often as you can. This will help dry out the rash, which is important for the healing process.
Identifying Specific Diaper Rashes
Here are a few diaper rashes that can be more than just irritation from the stool, urine, and diaper. They usually require more specific therapy:
1. Contact diaper rash - this is simply the regular rash as discussed above. Appearance - flat, red, irritated skin. When severe, skin will peel or blister and slough off.
2. Intertrigo - this is a specific rash that occurs within the skin folds and creases around the diaper area where the skin rubs together. Appearance- Heat and moisture mixed with urine cause a red, burn-like appearance.
3. Yeast rash - when the skin is damaged, yeast from the intestines can invade the skin. This especially occurs with antibiotic use or prolonged rash. Appearance- it is a red, raised, patchy rash with sharp borders, mostly over the genitalia but ith satellite spots sprinkled around the diaper area.
4. Impetigo - this occurs when bacteria invade the damaged skin. Appearance- coin-sized blisters or red raised patches that ooze a honey-colored crust.
5. Seborrhea - an inflammatory condition that can affect different parts of the body, but can be especially severe in the diaper area. Appearance- a big, red, sharply demarcated patch over the groin, genitalia, and lower abdomen. It can be more raised, rough, thick, and greasy than the other rashes.
6. Allergy ring - a variety of foods can irritate baby's bottom, especially acidic foods such as citrus and tomato-based sauces. Appearance- a red ring around baby's anus.
When To Worry
None of the diaper rashes discussed here are so serious that they warrant an urgent call to your doctor in the evening or overnight. They generally can wait to be evaluated and treated by your doctor's office the following day.
Identifying Specific Diaper Rashes
Here are a few diaper rashes that can be more than just irritation from the stool, urine, and diaper. They usually require more specific therapy:
1. Contact diaper rash - this is simply the regular rash as discussed above. Appearance - flat, red, irritated skin. When severe, skin will peel or blister and slough off.
2. Intertrigo - this is a specific rash that occurs within the skin folds and creases around the diaper area where the skin rubs together. Appearance- Heat and moisture mixed with urine cause a red, burn-like appearance.
3. Yeast rash - when the skin is damaged, yeast from the intestines can invade the skin. This especially occurs with antibiotic use or prolonged rash. Appearance- it is a red, raised, patchy rash with sharp borders, mostly over the genitalia but ith satellite spots sprinkled around the diaper area.
4. Impetigo - this occurs when bacteria invade the damaged skin. Appearance- coin-sized blisters or red raised patches that ooze a honey-colored crust.
5. Seborrhea - an inflammatory condition that can affect different parts of the body, but can be especially severe in the diaper area. Appearance- a big, red, sharply demarcated patch over the groin, genitalia, and lower abdomen. It can be more raised, rough, thick, and greasy than the other rashes.
6. Allergy ring - a variety of foods can irritate baby's bottom, especially acidic foods such as citrus and tomato-based sauces. Appearance- a red ring around baby's anus.
When To Worry
None of the diaper rashes discussed here are so serious that they warrant an urgent call to your doctor in the evening or overnight. They generally can wait to be evaluated and treated by your doctor's office the following day.
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