Few things are more perfect than a baby's soft, smooth
skin. But because it is so tender and delicate, that sweet
skin can be susceptible to diaper rash, a mild irritation of
the skin that causes redness around the diaper area.
Most cases of diaper rash are caused by excessive moisture
and friction. "Too much moisture breaks down the barrier of
the skin and makes it raw and red, especially if there is a lot
of friction from a diaper," says Jennifer Shu, MD, co-author
of "Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to
Reality" and a pediatrician at Children's Medical Group in
Atlanta.
While diaper rashes are usually not serious, they do cause
discomfort for your child. There are a number of diaper rash
remedies available for use at home. Learn which ones work
for your baby.
Diaper Rash: Spotting the Signs
Diaper rash "tends to [occur] in older kids, about 9 months
and up," says Dr. Shu, explaining that older babies urinate
more, which soaks the diapers and keeps the skin moist. In
addition, older babies have started to eat solid foods , and
the different acids they produce in their urine can lead to
diaper rash.
Typically in the form of a mild red rash with some scaling,
diaper rash most often occurs where the diaper touches
your baby's skin, but it can also spread outside of the area.
In some cases, when the diaper rash gets infected, it can
become bright red and swollen and spread beyond the
original rash in the form of small red patches.
"If [the diaper rash] is bright red, especially if there are
bumps, it could be a yeast infection," says Shu. "The
appearance of pus could mean there is a bacterial
infection." She recommends calling your baby's doctor if
the rash is associated with any of the following symptoms:
Extreme soreness around the irritated skin
Bright redness
Bumpiness
Pus
Persistent irritation that doesn't resolve with
diaper rash remedies
Diaper Rash: Prevention and Remedies
The best ways to avoid diaper rash is to change your child
immediately after a bowel movement and to rinse the area
with warm water. You should also check the diaper
frequently, to avoid prolonged exposure to moisture from a
urine-soaked diaper. If a rash occurs, try the following at-
home remedies.
Keep the diaper as dry as possible. To keep the diaper area
dry, Shu advises "using absorbent diapers and changing
diapers frequently, especially if you use cloth diapers." She
also recommends using over-the-counter diaper rash
cream or ointment. These treatments can keep the diaper
from rubbing against the skin.
Try switching diaper brands. "Some babies are sensitive to
certain materials, like the chemicals or perfumes that are in
some diapers," says Shu. "So if your baby gets a rash with
certain diapers, you may need to change brands."
Let your baby go diaper-free. Take the diaper off your baby
for a little while so the air can thoroughly dry the area. This
will allow for a bit of comfort and also work toward
preventing future diaper rashes.
Lastly, monitor your child's rash. "If you try to treat [the
diaper rash] at home for a few days and it doesn't get
better," says Shu, "call your child's doctor."