Diaper Rash
By Melissa Lahti
Dec. 14 2007
Common mostly during a baby’s first fifteen months of life, especially during eight to ten months. If your baby is experiencing red, puffy, warm to the touch, irritated skin in the diaper region it is most likely a diaper rash.
Some causes include:
- Infrequent diaper changes, which leads to irritation from urine and stool.
- Introduction to new foods, which changes the content of the stool. Keep in mind breast-feeding can also change the content of the stool in response to something you have eaten.
- The use of a new product such as wipes, diapers, lotions, powders and oils. If you are using cloth diapers be careful what you use to wash them, as it may irritate the babies skin.
- Certain skin conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis. If the diaper or clothing is too small and is preventing proper airflow to the skin or is rubbing on the skin.
- Antibiotics kill bad and good bacteria and can cause a rash. Your body must have the proper balance of good bacteria. This can also happen to breast fed babies when the mother is taking an antibiotic.
- Teething changes the stool as there is an acid that releases into the saliva to break down the gums. When swallowed it can irritate the bottom.
To prevent diaper rash you should change diapers often. Rinse the baby’s bottom with water as much as possible. Pat your baby dry with a clean towel, never rub the skin. Make sure you are not using diapers or clothes that are too small. You want to have plenty of airflow into the diaper. The number one enemy to diaper rash is air. Let your baby run naked as much as possible. If your baby is often rashy use a thin layer of ointment or powder with every diaper change to seal out the wetness. Finally, make sure you wash your hands before and after every diaper change.
When you’re changing your baby’s diaper and you notice their bottom has become red try not to use wipes on the rash as this can further irritate it. After washing the baby’s bottom with water, no soap, let the bottom air-dry as long as possible. Then, use an over the counter medication to cover the rash. This will keep the urine and stool from further irritating the rash.
There are many different products to choose from. My personal favorite is Johnson’s baby powder with Aloe and Vitamin E medicated. It creates a barrier on the skin to seal out wetness and prevent further irritation. While using zinc oxide to clear up the rash. As a word of caution, most doctors do not recommend using baby powder. The talc in the powder can be inhaled by the baby and can lead to breathing problems. When using baby powder you must keep it away from the baby’s face. Especially with younger babies. The best way to apply it is to put the powder on your hand and then spread it onto the baby’s bottom. If you decide to use a cream be sure and only use the products made strictly for babies. Don’t forget you only need a thin layer on the skin.
If you have followed all the steps and the rash just won’t go away or appears to be getting worse after about a week. Call your doctor. If your baby has a fever or blisters that are weeping pus like discharge or the rash extends beyond the diaper region. Your baby may have an infection that will require prescription treatment to cure.
All in all, be patient and remember no wipes, plenty of air and frequent diaper changes. The two of you will be just fine and before you know it your baby will be back to normal.
