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Diaper rash is a form of bright red inflamed skin that appears on your baby’s bottom. It makes a baby’s skin sour, red, scaly, and tender. This situation can alarm parents and annoy babies, as these rashes can be itchy. Most situations can be handled by simply changing your baby’s diaper. If your little one wears diapers consistently, you should sort out a way to treat and prevent diaper rash. It is common in babies, and it is not a sign of parents’ negligence. However, parental carelessness can cause serious harm to your baby’s skin.
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What is a rash?
Contact dermatitis is the standard type of rash that causes itching, redness, and sometimes small bumps. Diaper rash is also dermatitis that appears on the skin of your baby. You get the rash when you touch a chemical, allergen, or other irritant. Some rashes develop right away, but others form over several days. Similarly, some rashes clear up, but others needed long-term treatment. No need to worry; diaper rash is a common problem that almost every baby faces in their early days.
Symptoms of rash:
Diaper rash is painful and irritating, causing your baby to be uncomfortable. It comes on quickly and affects that area of your baby’s skin that has direct contact with the diaper.
If you think your baby has a diaper rash, then take a look under their diaper. If a diaper rash is causing the problem, you will see some or all of the following symptoms:
– Redness
– Flaking, dryness, and scaling of the skin
– Swelling
– Small bumps
– Areas that are warm to the touch
Causes of diaper rash:
Diaper rash can be caused by several things, including:
Irritation from stool and urine:
Prolonged exposure to urine or stool can cause a rash. If your baby is experiencing diarrhea, then they may be more prone to diaper rash.
Rubbing:
Tight-fitting clothes and diapers rubbing on baby’s skin can cause rashes.
Infection and antibiotics:
The area under a diaper is warm and moist, making it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Fungal and bacterial infections can cause rashes. Similarly, antibiotics can kill off good bacteria in your baby’s system, leaving them more prone to yeast infections.
New foods:
As infants begin to eat new foods, their stools changes, which improves the probability of diaper rash. If your child is breastfed, diaper rash could be caused by something the mother has eaten.
Sensitive skin:
Babies who have sensitive skin may be more likely to develop diaper rash.
Diaper brands:
Your baby could be getting a rash from the brand of diaper they are wearing. Always choose brands that are suitable for your baby’s skin.
When to see the doctor?
If the diaper rash doesn’t go away after a few days of home remedies, it might be time to call your pediatrician. You should also call your doctor if:
– Your baby is crying with pain due to skin rashes.
– Your baby has a mild temperature.
– The diaper rash blisters.
– The rash spreads to different parts of the body.
– Your baby has pus on the affected area.
Prevention:
Here are some preventive measures that you can apply in your daily life to keep your baby from getting skin rashes.
Clean diaper area:
The most essential way to prevent skin rashes is by keeping the diaper area clean and dry. Changing diapers every three to four hours will keep your baby dry and comfortable.
Soft diapers:
An infant’s skin is delicate and sensitive to various factors, such as temperature, moisture, and clothing type. Both tight-fitting clothes or diapers can cause rashes on the baby’s skin. Soft fabric diapers that are not too tight can help prevent diaper rash.
Frequent baths:
Keep baby’s skin healthy and soft by gently washing it with mild soap. Rinse your baby’s body until all the soap is gone, and be sure to dry the skin thoroughly.
Avoid scrubbing:
The skin is one of the body’s main protective barriers that keep infection out and healthy cells in. When you scrub too hard, you can irritate your baby’s skin, leading to irritation, dry patches, and other problems. It is best to gently pat your baby’s skin dry with a soft towel or washcloth.
Time without diapers:
Give your baby more time without diapers! Exposure to air is the natural way for your baby’s skin to dry – and it also helps avoid diaper rash and other skin irritations. Letting your baby go without a diaper will also help their bowel movements.
Use of ointment:
Consider using ointment regularly to keep baby’s skin healthy with a good moisturizer. Be sure to apply the ointment after every diaper change, as that is when your baby’s skin is most vulnerable to rashes.
Wash your hands:
After every diaper change, wash your hands properly with soap to prevent the spread of bacteria and yeast to other parts of your baby’s body.
Mild detergent:
If you are using cloth diapers, then wash them with mild detergent. Harsh detergents can irritate your baby’s skin.
Treatment:
No matter how careful you are, your baby will probably get diaper rashes. Don’t worry, because science has made creams, oils, and ointments to take care of this problem and make your baby feel more comfortable. Various diaper rash medications are available without any prescription. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific recommendations.
Topical zinc oxide is the active ingredient in many diaper rash products. Applied over a medicated cream, like an anti-fungal or antibiotic, it can soothe and protect your baby’s skin.
Ointments, pastes, and creams are all different types of treatments for your child’s rash. Pastes and ointments create a barrier over the skin, which means that it can’t breathe. Creams let air through since they dry on the skin.
Use baby powder. Avoid using talcum powder; it can cause breathing problems. Place the powder onto your hand and then apply on the diaper area.
If your baby has a fungal infection, then use anti-fungal cream on the infected area.
If your baby has a bacterial infection, then use antibiotics on the infected area.
Use cream and jellies:
If your baby is getting skin rashes, don’t worry; you can use cream and jellies to treat this. Examples of these products include Triple Paste, A and D, Balmex, and Desitin.
Best Diaper Rash Creams
Destin is one of the number diaper rash creams for babies. This company is number one recommended by pediatricians. This cream is fragrance-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free. This diaper rash cream is helpful in treating and preventing diaper rash.
Earth Mama is an organic 100% USDA certified diaper rash cream. This cream is dermatologist recommended and clinically tested for irritation. This is a top choice for parents that may have concerns regarding skin sensitivity.
Natural treatments:
If you prefer to try natural remedies for your baby’s diaper rash, there are lots of options.
Witch hazel
Witch hazel, a winter-blooming flowering plant, is an effective treatment for diaper rashes. An ointment with witch hazel is a good option for a natural remedy.
Breast Milk
Although it is not clear yet, some studies point to breast milk as a treatment for diaper rash when applied to the effected area.
Coconut oil:
Wash your child’s bottom with warm water and dry with a soft towel. Then, take a tablespoon of coconut oil and apply it to the affected area.
Oatmeal:
You can take a tablespoon of dried oatmeal and blend it in bathwater. Sit your baby in the mixture for 5-10 minutes before rinsing and drying. If the diaper rash is severe, you can do this twice a day.
Aloe Vera:
Assuming your child’s diaper rashes go with extreme irritation, you should utilize aloe vera gel. You can either use new aloe vera gel or packaged form – both are regular and would give alleviation to your child.
Conclusions:
Diaper rash might appear due to rubbing, infections, dirty diapers, new foods, or skin sensitivity. They might cause redness, itching, or tiny bumps. For newborns, rashes are very common and appear on almost every infant’s skin. Precautionary measures that you can take include frequent diaper changes, regular baths, properly-fitted diapers, and time without a diaper. The most common treatments are zinc oxide creams.
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