What is the best way to treat diaper rash?
What is the best way to treat diaper rash? If you are a first-time mother who has never seen your baby’s skin that appears inflamed around your baby’s diaper area, most likely your baby is having a diaper rash. Diaper rash is not uncommon for baby to experience it but it may be quite daunting for first-time mothers to deal with it.
In this article, you will learn about the diaper rash and we will share with you, 7 effective ways to treat and prevent diaper rash.
Diaper rash
Diaper rash is also known as Irritant Diaper Dermatitis (IDD), a skin problem happen to be located around the diaper area, on the skin surface or sometimes in the skin fold that are caused by bacteria and yeast infection. The skin may appear as a few red spots in small area, can extend to red bumps if they are left untreated, the severe one can even spread to a child’s tummy and thighs.
Before you learn how to treat and prevent diaper rash, first and foremost, we must learn how diaper rash is developed. This way, once you understand the causes of diaper rash, then we can take precautionary actions to help prevent it. However, diaper rash is very common and it is essential part of the parenting that we as parents must learn how to deal with it and minimize the chances of getting it.
Causes of diaper rash
There are 3 common causes of diaper rash.
Prolonged skin contact with moisture
Babies are wearing diapers 24 hours a day. How frequent we change our baby’s diaper? 5 times? 10 times a day? Diaper rash is developed when baby’s skin is exposed to prolonged wetness from the diaper. When urine and stools mixed together, it will cause some reactions and form ammonia, a skin irritant, which is very harsh on baby’s delicate skin. That’s is why babies who are having frequent diarrhea are prone to diaper rash.
There is no difference in rates of diaper rash in babies with disposable diapers or cloth diapers. Frequent changing is the key. Some babies skin are sensitive to certain materials in a brand of diaper too. Therefore, we must find diapers that are suitable and gentle to our baby’s skin too.
Diet
Babies who are solely fed with breastmilk have lower chances of getting diaper rash. It is common for baby to develop diaper rash when they are in the transition of breastmilk to formula milk or when they start eating solid foods. The change of baby’s diet will change the compositions of your baby’s stools.
Sometimes giving your baby some fruits such as oranges or strawberries, when they start eating solid foods, will also increase their bowel movement frequency which also will make them prone to diaper rashes.
Some babies who are under antibiotics treatment, or a nursing mother who is under antibiotics treatment will make them prone to yeast infection. Antibiotic medicine will kill all the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria that helps keep yeast in check as well. Usually antibiotics will cause diarrhea, which can contribute to diaper rash.
Sensitive to chemicals
Your baby’s skin is usually delicate and sensitive to chemicals. Sometimes, diaper rash will develop if there are constantly rubbing of diaper against their skin. A rash also can develop if the baby is in contact with disposable diapers materials which contain certain chemicals like fragrances or laundry detergents that used to wash their cloth diapers.
What is the best way to treat diaper rash?
Of course, by knowing the causes of diaper rash, prevention is better than treatment. If we can’t avoid it, no worries, there are 7 ways to help you treat diaper rash.
1.Frequent diaper change
Change the baby’s diaper once it is wet and soiled. Check your baby’s diaper every hour during the day, and at least twice at night. Babies who are left too long in a soiled diaper will likely to develop diaper rash.
2.Allow some “diaperless” time
During the day, let your baby go diaperless for as much as possible. This can be done if you and your baby are at home. Place a towel under your baby when the little one rest or play without diaper. Some “air time” will allow the rash to heal faster too.
3.Keep baby’s bottom clean and dry
Always keep your baby’s diaper area dry before you put on a new diaper. If your baby has already have rashes on his skin, try not to use a wet wipe or soap to clean the affected area as this will cause the existing rash to burn and sting. Just use wet cotton ball or soft cloth to clean and allow it to air dry.
4.Apply skin barrier ointment
Use a good skin barrier ointment for diaper rash, apply it to your baby’s diaper area before you put on a new diaper. What this skin barrier ointment does is to create a protective barrier that stop urine and stools from getting onto the skin and cause irritation. It will help heal rashes too.
Usually the barrier ointment contain substances such as zinc oxide or vaseline (petroleum jelly) are the best. Of course, if you change your baby’s diaper frequently, barrier ointment is not necessary.
5.Do not rub your baby’s skin
Your baby’s skin is delicate and sensitive. If he has developed skin rash, gently clean your baby’s diaper area with a moist soft clothes and pat dry. Do not rub as it could make your baby’s skin rash worse.
6.Use high quality absorbent diapers
Choose diapers that are suitable to your baby’s skin. If you can afford, get organic ones. Less chemicals which will harm your baby’s skin.
Also, a high absorbency disposable diaper can be another option. It will help to pull away the moisture and keep your baby’s skin dry and not irritated. If you choose cloth diapers, use a stay-dry liner to help pull the moisture away from the skin.
7. No harsh chemicals
Use baby’s friendly laundry detergents that are free from fragrances and other harmful substances which will harm your baby’s skin, especially that you use to wash their cloth diapers. If you want to use wet wipes to clean your little one’s bottom, check the ingredients of the wet wipes, make sure no fragrances and harmful chemicals.
Especially, if your baby has rashes on his skin, do not use wet wipes, he may get irritated. Just use a wet clean soft clothes to clean the diaper area and pat dry.
Conclusion
Do not leave your baby’s skin untreated if he has diaper rashes as it can lead to more severe skin condition which will cause severe inflamed skin such as red bumps that spread to his tummy and thigh area.
Babies will be wearing diapers, can be as long as 3 years or more, until they are potty trained. Gaining the knowledge on how to prevent and treat diaper rash is a must-learn lesson, also an essential part of parenting for all the parents.
Read more ” What’s Swaddling?“, “online shopping for baby diapers”, “Eco-friendly diaper brands“
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