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Diaper Rash Prevention and Treatment
Prevention and Treatment of Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is a common albeit unpleasant side effect of wearing diapers 24 hours per day. Most newborn babies will have diaper rash at least once during their diaper wearing years.
The good news is that diaper rash is often preventable and easily treated when caught early.
Diaper Rash:
Signs and Symptoms
How do you know if your newborn has diaper rash? The most common sign is irritation, inflammation and redness in the genital region, particularly in the folds of the legs and on the buttocks, though it may spread to the stomach.
The affected area sometimes will look bumpy or appear to have a rash of pimples. It is important that diaper rash is treated right away because it can grow into a hard to beat yeast or bacterial infection if left too long.
Causes of Diaper Rash
The primary cause of a diaper rash is constant exposure to wetness. Newborns are particularly susceptible because they urinate several times per day and often have loose and wet bowel movements, which are even more likely to irritate the surrounding skin.
There are many highly absorbent diapers available now that make it difficult to determine whether or not a baby has urinated, thus many baby's are wet before their parents even realize it.
Wet diapers are not the only cause of diaper rash however. It is important that you know that some babies simply have very sensitive skin, thus are more susceptible to all kinds of skin rashes including diaper rash. Diarrhea is often another common cause of diaper rash, because it irritates the skin much more than normal bowels.
Prevention of Diaper Rash
- Change your baby's diaper before and after feeds if possible. Most newborns will need a diaper change at least 8-10 times per day.
- Consider allowing your baby to go without a diaper for an hour a day. Simply let them lay on a towel for a short spell. This is particularly useful for treating an already existing rash.
- Consider allowing your baby to go without a diaper for an hour a day. Simply let them lay on a towel for a short spell. This is particularly useful for treating an already existing rash.
- Allow your baby's bottom to thoroughly dry after cleaning and before you put on a new diaper.
- Coat your baby's genitals with a layer of diaper rash ointment if your baby has a rash or has particularly sensitive skin.
Treatment of Diaper Rash
Balmex Diaper Rash Ointment with Aloe & Vitamin E
Balmex Ointment will soothe your baby's
irritated bottom and help prevent future rashes. Simply smooth the ointment
on liberally with every diaper change. At cleaning time, you'll find that
Balmex wipes off easily. With their diaper rash under control, babies can go
back to more important things ... like learning their first word. Ready,
mama and dada?
Desitin Diaper Rash Ointment, Creamy, Fresh Scent
was specially formulated to provide the effective diaper rash care you expect
from DESITIN in a smooth, creamy ointment formula. It spreads on easily, cleans
off quickly, and has a fresh scent. And it's hypoallergenic and
pediatrician-tested, so it is gentle on our baby's tender skin. For diaper rash
treatment and protection, nothing works better and nothing is easier to use than
DESITIN Creamy.
Johnson's Baby Diaper Rash Cream with Zinc Oxide
has a
unique 3-in-1 formula that promotes effective healing,
soothes red, irritated skin and forms a protective barrier. It contains zinc
oxide and skin conditioners such as lanolin, petrolatum and Vitamins E and B5.
The hypoallergenic, fragrance free formula spreads smoothly and wipes off
easily, and you can trust it to help treat the rash effectively yet gently, as
it makes your baby feel better.
Balmex Diaper Rash Ointment (Zinc Oxide) with Aloe and Vitamin E
helps treat and prevent diaper rash. Apply ointment liberally as often as
necessary, with each diaper change, especially at bedtime or any time when
exposure to wet diapers may be prolonged. Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 11.3%.
If you notice that your baby has a particularly inflamed case of diaper rash that doesn't clear up after
a few days of treatment, be sure to contact your healthcare provider to ensure
that a yeast or bacterial infection hasn't developed.
Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter anti-yeast
cream such as Clotrimazole (brand name
Lotrimin AF Antifungal Cream ) or may write a prescription
for Nystatin ointment (Mycostatin).Both creams are very effective for
treating yeast infections.
Diaper rashes caused by bacteria appear as blister-like
sores and the skin is red and warm to touch. If the area is infected due to
bacteria, Mupirocin (Bactroban
 ) antibiotic cream may be sometimes prescribed.
Many doctors will recommend a corticosteroid cream such as
hydrocortisone along with an anti-yeast cream, to reduce inflammation. Many
prescription creams, such as Mycolog II contain both a corticosteroid and an
anti-yeast medicine which are very effective.
Remember a diaper rash, while common in newborns, is easily
treated and often only a minor problem when addressed early on. If the
diaper rash is associated with a fever or a rash that lasts longer than three
days, be sure to contact your health care provider..
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