Diaper Rash

Diaper rash, as the name implies, is a rash that appears in the area covered by your baby’s diaper. Since a baby’s skin is very soft and sensitive, almost every baby has at least one diaper rash during the padded bottom years. For some babies, it is a rare occurrence, but others seem to have especially sensitive skin that frequently erupts in that telltale shade of painful looking red. Whether you are dealing with your baby’s first rash or a repeat occurrence, the information given below will help you clear up your little one’s tender bottom.

Causes of Diaper Rash:

The most common reason for a rash in the diaper area is simply that baby’s delicate skin is surrounded twenty-four hours a day by a diaper – one that is often wet or messy. This creates a warm, moist area that is perfect for irritating that soft-as-butter skin.

Leaving a wet diaper on too long, the moisture makes the skin more susceptible to chafing. Over time, the urine in the diaper decomposes, forming chemicals that can further irritate the skin.

Leaving a stool soiled diaper on too long; digestive agents in the stool then attack the skin, making it more susceptible to a rash.

Regardless of how the rash begins, once the surface of the skin is damaged, it becomes even more vulnerable to further irritation by contact with urine and stool.

Another cause of rash in this area is yeast infection. This rash is common on the thighs, genitals, and lower abdomen but almost never appears on the buttock.

While most babies develop diaper rash at some point during infancy, it happens less often in babies who are breast fed. Diaper rash occurs more often at particular ages and under certain conditions:

• Among babies eight to ten months old.
  
• If babies are not kept clean and dry.
  
• When babies have frequent stools.
  
• When a baby starts to eat solid food.
  
• When a baby is taking antibiotics.

Preventing Diaper Rash:

To reduce the likelihood and frequency of diaper rash, here are the most important preventive measures:

• Change your baby’s diaper as soon as it becomes wet or messy,
  
• With each change, wash your baby’s bottom and dry it thoroughly, paying special attention to skin folds and creases.
  
• Do not scrub your baby’s bottom. Using too much pressure when cleaning can lead to skin breakdown. Instead, wipe or pat gently.
  
• Always wipe from front to back so you do not transfer rectal bacteria to the genital area.
  
• Do not secure a diaper too tightly. Allow for some air to flow inside.
  
• Avoid using harsh or perfumed soaps when washing your baby’s skin or laundering cloth diapers.
  
• Rinse cloth diapers thoroughly with very hot water.
  
• If using diaper covers, avoid plastic and use only breathable fabric types.
  
• If your baby sleeps through the night and wakes up in the morning with a soaked diaper, apply diaper ointment before putting on your baby’s sleep time each evening.

Treatment Diaper Rash:

If your baby has a rash now, try the following ideas to clear it up. Follow up by using the prevention strategies to help keep your baby rash free.

• Change your baby frequently.
  
• After cleaning and drying his or her bottom, coat it with petroleum jelly or a diaper ointment.
  
• If your child is in day care, talk to your caregiver about your treatment plan.
  
• When possible, let your baby go bare-bottomed for a while. Exposing baby’s skin to air is a gentle, natural way to help it to heal.
  
• Do not use powder that contains talc. Once wet, powder can increase the friction between your baby’s skin and the diaper. Also, your baby might inhale some powder, which can be dangerous to his or her health.
  
• Experiment with different types of diapers, wipes, and diaper ointments.