All babies get diaper rash, according to the Ask Dr. Sears website. When you combine a baby’s sensitive skin with the chemicals and moisture that are in urine and stools and then cover that up with a diaper that rubs back and forth, your baby can’t help but get diaper rash. Diaper rash looks red and scaly. Home treatments usually do the trick when treating diaper rash.
Prevent and Treat
The best way to prevent and treat diaper rash is to keep the diaper area clean, cool and dry. Change your baby’s diaper often and as soon as you notice it is wet or soiled. Clean your baby’s skin before putting on a new diaper. Try keeping your baby out of a diaper for a while to let the air dry her skin.
Be Careful
Be careful what you put on your baby’s skin because you could irritate it even more if he has diaper rash. Do not use baby powder or cornstarch when your baby has a rash because the powder can hold in moisture. Scented soap and baby wipes are more irritating to the skin than unscented ones are. It’s better not to wipe sore areas. Use a bulb syringe instead to wash areas where there is a rash. When you dry the skin, blot it dry instead of rubbing it.
Products to Use
You can use products that contain zinc oxide or petroleum. These protects protect the skin from moisture. For severe rashes, you can use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1 percent cream twice a day. Only use hydrocortisone cream for a few days. If you use it long-term, you can damage the skin, according to the Ask Dr. Sears website.
If No Improvement
If you do not see any improvement after you have been treating diaper rash for several days, soak your baby in a warm bath for 10 minutes, three times a day. Add 2 tbsp. baking soda to the tub. You should never leave your baby alone in the bathtub.
Types of Rash
Some diaper rashes are more serious and need different treatment and a doctor’s attention. If the rash is in the skin folds and looks like a burn, this is intertrigo. You treat it with petroleum diaper ointment.
A yeast rash, a raised and patchy rash, can occur with antibiotic use or from having a prolonged rash. Treat as for a regular rash and use an antifungal cream that you can get over-the-counter or with a doctor’s prescription.
Impetigo occurs when bacteria get into the damaged skin. The rash has coin-sized blisters and raised patches that ooze. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment.
Allergies could cause a rash that looks like a ring around your baby’s anus. You would discontinue suspected foods. If you breastfeed, you may need to eliminate the suspected food from your diet.
Photo Credit
- Baby playing in Diaper image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
