Diaper Rash
by jmmillerWhen a baby is born, their skin is usually perfect and flawless in every way. It is softer and smoother that it will ever be again!
Some parents are dismayed to wake up and they find their baby’s bottoms red and irritated with a rash. They wonder what happened or what they did wrong. The answer is… probably nothing! Most babies experience diaper rash at some point in their young lives.
There are a few misconceptions parents have about their babies’ bottoms:
· It should always be smooth, perfect and rash free
· Diaper rash is not normal
· Diaper rash is a sign of allergies
· Diaper rash means the baby has had a yeast infection or bad diarrhea
Babies have ultra sensitive skin. If you add the chemicals and moisture of urine and stool, cover the area with a diaper that rubs back and forth, this is where a diaper rash begins. The damaged skin can be invaded by yeast and bacteria, which can make the rash worse.
If you are constantly battling diaper rash with your baby, use these seven hints to help minimize the problem:
1. Change diapers frequently, at least every one or two hours in newborns
2. Change soiled diapers right away
3. Try different diaper brands
4. If you use cloth diapers, put ½ cup vinegar in your rinse cycle
5. Wipe well, making sure that all traces of urine and feces are wiped away
6. Use unscented wipes or plain water; these are less irritating
7. Diaper rash cream - some babies need cream every time they are changed
There are basically two types of barrier creams:
· Petroleum Ointment- This is an excellent everyday ointment. It is less sticky and less messy.
· White zinc oxide- This is thicker and better for babies that are more prone to rashes
No matter how persistent you are with the above measures, your baby may still get rashes from time to time. The following are some tips for treating those rough spots:
1. Wash bottom with water
2. Gently dab or pat away remaining feces, blot bottom dry
3. Let it air dry
4. Diaper cream, use a generous amount
Here are some suggestions of diaper creams:
· Zinc oxide
· Acid mantle
· Clotrimazole anti fungal cream
· Hydrocortisone 1 % cream
· Soothe and heal by Lansinoh
Mix your own, if you can’t get a prescription. Try mixing together zinc oxide, white petroleum ointment, acid mantle and aluminum acetate (burrows solution).
The following are a few rashes that can be more than just an irritation caused by stool, urine or diaper. These usually require more specific therapy:
Contact diaper rash – This is simply the rash as discussed above.
Appearance: Red, flat, irritated skin. When it is severe, the skin will peel and form blisters.
Treatment: As described above
Intertrigo – This rash occurs in the skin folds and creases around the diaper area
Appearance: Heat and moisture mixed with urine causes a red bumpy like appetence
Treatment: Regular while petroleum ointment
Yeast Rash – Yeast from the intestines invade damaged skin. This normally happens with prolonged antibiotic use or a prolonged rash.
Appearance: Red, raised patchy rash with raised borders mostly over the genitals
Treatment: Anti fungal cream like cortimazole and nystatin
Impetigo – This happens when bacteria invades the damaged skin.
Appearance: Coin sized blisters oozing a honey colored crust
Treatment: Prescription antibiotic ointment
Call your doctor if rashes persist for several days.
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