Diaper rash (also known as nappy rash in the UK) often occurs when you combine a baby's very sensitive skin with the moisture, chemicals, and friction that occurs on a diaper-wearing baby's bottom. There are a number of treatments that vary, from over-the-counter medications, to home remedies that can provide a cure for your baby. Different methods and chemicals have been used successfully to treat different diaper rashes. Try to see what methods and chemicals work for your baby's diaper rash.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Treating the Rash
Step 1. Keep everything as clean and dry as possible
Wash your baby's bottom with warm water. Resist the temptation to wipe the area, if possible. A bulb syringe can be used to spray water on a sensitive area. Gently wipe off any remaining dirt with a piece of baby wipes or a damp cloth.
- If you do use baby wipes, don't use wipes that contain alcohol or fragrance.
- Diaper rash is a common type of contact dermatitis, in which a baby's skin becomes inflamed due to prolonged contact with urine or feces. If not detected early, the rash can be infected by bacteria or fungi.
- Avoiding irritants and changing diapers frequently are, without a doubt, the best preventive measures.
Step 2. Let the baby's bottom dry
If you must wipe with a towel, wipe gently. Don't rub! Because rubbing will only irritate the skin further. Consider the following points:
- Put on a new diaper for your baby, but fit it loosely (use a diaper that is too big).
- Leave your baby naked, even if only for a few minutes. The longer it airs, the better.
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Also consider letting your baby sleep without a diaper. You can place protective mats or blankets on the crib for disaster relief in the early hours of the morning.
For the record, drying the rash in the open air is effective to help clear up the diaper rash
Step 3. Apply diaper cream
Various diaper creams are available without a prescription. Zinc oxide is an ingredient in many diaper creams, and is effective at treating moderate rashes. However, petroleum or Vaseline ointments, non-Vaseline, and products containing lanolin are also effective.
- Zinc oxide, commonly known as Desitin, provides an effective barrier against skin irritants, reducing friction against irritated skin. (In other words, zinc oxide protects the baby from urine and feces.)
- If you have to use it, opt for cornstarch powder, but this powder isn't really good either-it can cause mold to grow and cause other rashes.
Part 2 of 2: Smart Parenting
Step 1. Find out in advance why your child has diaper rash
While general humidity may be the culprit, there are a number of reasons your baby may develop diaper rash in the first place:
- Sensitivity to chemicals. Try changing diapers (if you use cloth diapers, try changing the detergent used for washing), lotion or powder. It's possible that your baby's skin can't stand certain products.
- New food. If you've recently started introducing solid foods-or even just a different type of food-a change in diet can result in a change in stool, giving rise to a rash. And if you're breastfeeding, it could be something that "you" eats.
- Infection. If the rash doesn't go away, it may be due to a bacterial or fungal infection. We'll cover that later.
- Antibiotics. If your baby is on medication (or if you are on medication and are breastfeeding), antibiotics may reduce the number of good bacteria in your or your child's system, cause bad bacteria to fester, and produce a rash.
Step 2. Find out if you need to see a doctor
While diaper rash is generally nothing to worry about, if the rash doesn't go away within 3-4 days, your baby may have a yeast infection. Common diaper creams won't solve the problem, so you'll need to go to your local pharmacy, buy an over-the-counter mild corticosteroid cream, or go to your pediatrician for a prescription.
The guidelines for treating fungal diaper rash are basically the same as for common diaper rash (if you don't notice any symptoms other than a rash). Keep your baby as dry as possible, use an antifungal cream and apply for a few days
Step 3. Prevent the rash from reappearing
If you follow the steps above, diaper rash shouldn't be a problem. Wipe your baby's bottom thoroughly, gently pat it dry, and if your baby is prone to rashes, apply the ointment with every diaper change. Don't use powder and wear the diaper loosely.
- Introduce new foods one at a time. Since new foods can cause these problems to arise, knowing what foods to avoid is best.
- Breastfeed your child as long as you can; Natural antibodies in breast milk can help babies defend themselves against infection.
- Make sure all surrogate caregivers follow proper guidelines.
Step 4. If all else fails, try home remedies
Mom and dad are starters of home remedies, so make sure you follow the same steps. If for some reason you can't follow these standard steps, consider one of the ideas below:
- Try applying a thin layer of virgin coconut oil or zinc oxide. Just apply it like you would a diaper rash cream.
- Try bathing your baby with a sitz bath, which is bathing the baby only from the hips to the buttocks (hip bath) by adding a spoonful of baking soda in the water. Some mothers also add some oatmeal as an anti-inflammatory agent.
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Mix nystatin paste, desitin and hydrocortisone for maximum effectiveness.
Always be careful with home remedies, especially when it comes to your baby's health. Talk to your doctor before you try anything
Tips
- The instructions here are designed to treat a “diaper contact rash” which is a common diaper rash. Other types of diaper rash, such as intertrigo, yeast rash, impetigo, seborrhea, and ring allergy require specific treatments that are not discussed here.
- Avoid wearing diapers as often as possible. Free flowing air reduces diaper rash.
Warning
- If you notice your condition is getting worse, call your doctor.
- Only use steroid creams if prescribed by a doctor, as they can cause other health problems.
