Diaper rash is redness and rash on a baby’s bottom or genital area. Diaper rash can be caused by wet diapers that are not changed regularly.
Diaper rash is commonly treated easily and at home.
How do you identify diaper rash?
▪️Diaper rash usually causes mild redness and scaling where the diaper touches your baby"s skin.
▪️In extreme cases, the rash can cause pimples, blisters and other sores on your baby’s buttocks, thighs or genital area.
▪️If there is an infection, it may become bright red and the skin may get swollen.
▪️Small red patches or spots may spread beyond the main part of the rash, even outside the diaper area.
When to call your doctor
Call your doctor if:
▪️the diaper rash occurs in the first six weeks of life.
▪️Pimples and small ulcerations form.
▪️Your baby has a fever.
▪️Your baby loses weight or is not eating well as usual.
▪️Large bumps or nodules appear.
▪️The rash spreads to other areas, such as the arms, face or scalp.
▪️The rash doesn't get better after trying the tips on treating diaper rash for at least one week.
What causes diaper rash?
Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation. Irritation can be caused by diapers that rub against the skin or fit too tightly.
If your baby is left in a wet or dirty diaper for a long period of time, this can cause irritation too.
Your baby's skin can also be irritated by the soap used to wash cloth diapers, or by some brands of disposable diapers or baby wipes.
Heat and moisture creates an atmosphere for diaper rash to start and for germs to grow.
Diaper rash can also develop while the baby is on antibiotics (or if the mother is on antibiotics while breastfeeding).
How can I prevent and treat diaper rashes?
▪️The major key to preventing and treating diaper rash is to keep your baby's diaper area clean, cool and dry.
▪️Change your baby's diaper often, and let him or her go without a diaper when possible to let air dry his or her skin.
▪️Check diaper regularly when your baby is asleep and change if wet, babies urinate a lot when they are sleeping.
▪️Creams that contain boric acid, camphor, phenol, methyl salicylate or compound of benzoin tincture can be harmful for your baby.
Tips on preventing and treating diaper rash
▪️Check your baby's diaper often and change it as soon as it is wet or soiled.
▪️Carefully clean your baby's bottom before putting on another diaper.
▪️Use plain warm water with or without a very mild soap.
▪️Make sure your baby's skin dries completely before putting on another diaper.
▪️Avoid scented baby wipes and soaps. The alcohol or fragrance can worsen skin irritation.
▪️Use products that contain zinc oxide ointment, also use vaseline to protect your baby's skin from moisture.
▪️After bathing, pat your baby's bottom dry with a towel rather than scrubbing it. Scrubbing can irritate your baby's sensitive skin.
▪️If diaper rash persists, change the type of wipes, diapers or soap you're using.
What if I use powder?
Please note that doctors don’t recommend using talcum powder or cornstarch. Talcum powder can get in your baby's lungs. Cornstarch may make a diaper rash caused by a yeast infection worse.
Common complication
What if my baby has an infection?
If your baby also has an infection with the rash, your doctor might give you a prescription for a special antifungal cream to use on your baby's rash.
Clothes or Disposable diabers, which is better?
The choice is up to you. Some research suggests that because disposable diapers are more absorbent they keep babies drier.
If you use cloth diapers and wash them at home, boil them for fifteen minutes after washing them to kill germs and remove soap that could irritate your baby's skin.
But remember that the most important thing about diapers is to change them often.
Thank you.
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