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| Diaper Rash |
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Why do children develop a diaper rash? Diaper rash may be more common after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics. Other factors that can lead to diaper rash include continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers.
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies, but most cases disappear after a few days with simple home treatments.
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Symptoms |
Red, itchy, scaly rash patches in the diaper area and legs
Redness around the anus
Bright red and tender rash and/or spots in the folds between the thighs and abdomen
Deep red rash with yellowish scales
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Causes |
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Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation. This can be caused by diapers that rub against the skin, fit too tightly or are left on for too long. Contact between urine (pee) and stool (bowel movements) can cause a chemical "burn" to the skin.
This can be worse with diarrhea. Your baby's skin can also be sore from the soap used to wash cloth diapers, or by some brands of diapers or baby wipes. Plastic pants that fit over diapers hold heat and wetness in the diaper area.
Heat, moisture and raw skin make it easy for diaper rash to start and for germs to grow. When a rash gets infected, it's often a yeast infection, also called Monilia or Candida. Bacteria can also infect the skin. Infection can make diaper rash much worse.
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Home Remedies |
Try olive oil or shea butter on your baby’s bum. These are thicker emollients. Olive oil is readily available in any store; buy the higher grade virgin oil to get the most benefit. Shea butter can be found in the health food section with other body butters like cocoa and mango.
If you have suggestions or know of a proven home remedy add it here in the comment area.
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| Herbal Remedies |
Most basic rashes can be easily treated with a simple oil of chickweed (Stellaria media) or with a basic healing salve.
If you have suggestions or know of a proven herbal remedy add it here in the comment area.
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| Wellness Program |
The following tips can be used to help prevent or reduce the chances of a diaper rash:
- Breast-feed. It has been shown that breast-fed babies tend to experience fewer diaper rashes than bottle-fed babies.
- Use diapers that draw moisture away from the skin.
- Avoid using products that expose your child's skin to irritating chemicals (e.g., diaper wipes with alcohol, fragrances, fabric softeners, detergents).
- Change the diaper often, even overnight.
- Avoid using powders such as talcum powder and cornstarch. Talcum powder may cause respiratory problems in your child, and cornstarch may promote a yeast infection.
- Rinse your baby's bottom with warm water and a mild soap after each diaper change and air- or pat-dry the area thoroughly. (Allow the area to air-dry as for as long as possible.)You can also carefully use a blow dryer on the lowest setting for a short period of time to speed the drying process. Be sure to keep your hand in the air stream to monitor the temperature.
- Avoid using tight-fitting diapers and rubber or plastic pants, since they retain more moisture.
- Wash reusable diapers carefully to remove all the germs. Be sure to completely rinse out any soap or detergent.
- Use a barrier cream or ointment such as petroleum jelly or zinc oxide to prevent skin irritation. Be sure to thoroughly dry your baby's bottom before you apply these products.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after each diaper change.
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