About Diaper Rash
If you've ever gone to change your baby's diaper and found a beet-red bottom, you've likely encountered a diaper rash. The skin on your baby's bottom is very delicate, so when a baby isn't changed frequently enough, a diaper rash can occur. While diaper rashes are fairly common in babies, rashes that are caused by skin irritation can be drastically reduced with proper preventative measures. If you're battling a diaper rash now, don't worry. With proper treatment, most go away in a few days.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
While the most common type of diaper rash is a contact rash caused by skin irritation, there are several other types of diaper rashes that commonly occur in babies. These include intertrigo, which is rash that is found in the folds of a baby's skin; a yeast rash, which is caused by a yeast infection; impetigo, which is caused by an invasion of bacteria; seborrhea, which is an inflammation of the skin in the diaper area; and an allergy diaper rash.
Identification
-
Diaper rashes present themselves in different ways. By looking at your baby's bottom closely, you may be able to determine what type of rash your baby has. A contact rash is marked by general redness, while intertrigo looks like a bright red burn in the folds of the skin. A yeast rash will manifest itself as small bumps with raised borders while impetigo is marked by nickel-sized blisters that may ooze. A seborrhea rash can be identified by a patch of raised skin that is big and rough, and an allergy rash may appear as a ring around your baby's anal opening (see Resources).
-
Prevention/Solution
-
You can help to reduce your baby's risk of developing a diaper rash by changing your baby often, washing his bottom each night with warm water, letting him go diaper free to air dry after a change or bath and by using preventative diaper creams and lotions. Petroleum jelly, Aquaphor and Zinc Oxide diaper ointments can be used as a protective barrier for your baby's bottom. If your baby develops a rash, Zinc Oxide, 1% hydrocortisone cream and anti-fungal creams can be used to treat it. Lanolin ointments like Lansinoh can also help soothe a painful diaper area.
Theories/Speculation
-
Diaper rashes often result from your baby's delicate skin rubbing against a diaper, urine or feces. Once the skin becomes irritated from the friction and becomes chafed or damaged, bacteria and excrement byproducts can more easily enter into your baby's skin and can cause a diaper rash or skin infection. Since the diaper area is wet and moist, it is the perfect environment for yeast to grow. Changing your baby often can minimize the risk of developing a diaper rash.
Considerations
-
Some babies have extremely sensitive skin and the chemicals and fragrances in diapers, wet wipes, soaps and detergents can irritate your baby. Choose eco-friendly diapers and wipes that are chemical and fragrance free, and wash all of your baby's clothing in dye- and fragrance-free detergents. Avoid using harsh soaps on your baby's skin; instead opt for a gentle, fragrance-free baby wash.
-
