Diaper rash happens! The good news is that most diaper rash can be treated at home. Read on to learn about what causes diaper rash, mild and severe diaper rash symptoms, at-home treatments, and when you need to get your little one into the doctor.
Unfortunately for you and your little one, a whole list of things can cause diaper rash. They include:. What does diaper rash look like? This rash is usually red, slightly raised, and has small red dots spreading beyond the main part of the rash. It often starts in the deep creases of skin and can spread to skin on the front and back of the baby.
Antibiotics given to a baby or a breastfeeding mom can cause this, as they kill off the "good" bacteria that keep Candida from growing. To help clear up diaper rash, check your baby's diaper often and change it as soon as it's wet or soiled. Gently clean the diaper area with soap and water and pat dry. Creams and ointments containing zinc oxide or petroleum help to soothe skin and protect it from moisture. They should be smeared on thickly like cake icing at each diaper change.
Some experts suggest letting your baby go without diapers for several hours each day to give irritated skin a chance to dry and "breathe. To prevent diaper rash, keep your baby's skin as dry and clean as possible and change diapers often so that poop and pee don't irritate the skin. Applying diaper cream or ointment with each diaper change can help some babies with sensitive skin, but not all babies need this.
If you use cloth diapers, check the manufacturer's directions on how to best clean them. Your child's healthcare provider may advise lab tests, but they are usually not needed. How is diaper dermatitis treated? Treatment may include: Periods of time without wearing diapers Frequent diaper changes Ointment put on the diaper area to protect the skin Antifungal cream or ointment for a Candida infection Corticosteroid cream for more severe dermatitis Antibiotic medicine for a bacterial infection What can I do to help prevent diaper dermatitis in my child?
Proper skin care is very important to prevent diaper dermatitis. This includes: Keeping the skin under a diaper clean and dry Changing diapers often Letting the skin under a diaper to air dry at times Letting your child to go without a diaper when possible Gently cleaning the diaper area with a soft cloth and warm water Limiting the use of soap or other strong products on the skin Not using scented wipes or wipes with alcohol When should I call my child's healthcare provider?
It is most often because of irritation from urine and feces. Different types of diaper dermatitis have different symptoms. When irritated from urine and feces, the skin is usually red in color. Treatment includes diaper-free periods, cream, and ointment. It is important to keep the diaper area clean and dry, change diapers often, and avoid irritants such as soap or scented wipes.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child.
Also know what the side effects are. This baby has a definite area of redness in the diaper area. Moderate Diaper Rash Definite redness in a larger area Very intense redness in a very small area Single to several areas of papules rasied bumps with raised, fluid containing bumps pustules May have slight peeling May have swelling edema.
Severe Diaper Rash Very intense redness over a larger area Severe peeling Severe swelling edema Some loss of the outer layer of skin and bleeding May have large, connected areas of raised bumps papules Numerous raised, fluid containing bumps pustules. Yeast infection A yeast infection commonly appears in the skin folds where it is warm and moist. The yeast infection may appear alone or it may be in combination with the diaper rash, making the rash worse. Be sure to call your pediatrician if your baby is showing any of these symptoms, the rash does not heal within 7 days, or heals and then reappears.
Your doctor will be able to prescribe the best treatment plan for the yeast infection. Prevention is the best way to care for a yeast infection. Keeping the diaper area clean, dry and protected helps prevent both diaper rash and yeast infections.
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