Diaper rash – What is it, Causes and Treatments!

Diaper rash – What it is, Causes and Treatments we should all know. In addition, diaper rash is a skin irritation due to wet diaper use. Many babies get diaper rash, even those that are well cared for and have normal, healthy skin. Diapers are a way to make babies manageable, but they inevitably cause diaper rash . In places where babies don’t wear diapers, diaper rash is unknown.

Many diaper rashes are classified as simple contact dermatitis although others can be more serious due to fungal infections. Diaper rash is not contagious but is recurrent, appearing whenever there is a problem with wet diapers. As babies grow, the skin becomes less sensitive and diaper rash is no longer a problem.

Main Symptoms of Diaper Rash:  Red, rough papules on the buttocks, genitals or other areas covered by diapers. The diaper rash may be accompanied by an ammonia smell.

Main Causes of Diaper Rash:  A dirty diaper keeps the skin moist and retains urine that can react with bacteria in the baby’s feces and produce skin irritations. Diaper rash also occurs as a reaction to new foods or chemicals like the perfumes in lotions, creams, soaps, and other products. Breastfeeding offers some protection against diaper rash , perhaps because breast milk has fewer irritants in the urine and stool, although babies can also get diaper rash.

What Happens if You Don’t Take Action:  Diaper rash can be irritating and uncomfortable for a child. Without proper care, it probably won’t get better and can lead to serious complications such as infections due to fungi or bacteria.

Home Remedies:  Many diaper rash gets better after a few days with home care. Improvement should be noticed within a day or two with the rash disappearing completely by the third or fourth day. Home measures are simple and effective.·.

Change Diapers More Often Than Normal: This measure will discourage any buildup of moisture. To prevent the rash from getting worse, wash your baby’s bottom instead of wiping with a cloth. After washing, use cotton or tissue paper gently to dry the area. Do not use a hair dryer for this as it is very dangerous and could accidentally burn the child. Also, do not wash the child in running water as the temperature of the water can change suddenly.

Allowing the Affected Area to Ventilate: Although it can be unpleasant, the baby should be allowed to go without a diaper for an hour or more every day. If the diaper is not disposable, leave the baby without plastic pants for as long as possible. These measures will facilitate air circulation in the affected areas.

Apply Ointment: When changing diapers, apply zinc oxide ointment to protect the skin from irritants in urine and feces. Vaseline can also be used, although it allows more moisture to be trapped under the ointment. In any case, avoid any ointment if the skin is seriously inflamed or cracked.

How to Avoid Rashes:  Among several other benefits it offers babies, breastfeeding at the breast brings fewer problems with diaper rash – perhaps because breast milk has fewer irritants. But even a baby who receives breast milk can get roasted. Some ways to prevent diaper rash:

Keeping Buttocks Dry: Diapers should be changed as soon as they get wet or dirty, but newborns urinate about 20 times a day (dropping to an average of 6.5 times at 12 months) and many defecate every time they breastfeed. . Of course, it’s not possible to change diapers all the time, but it’s a good idea to keep your baby as dry and clean as possible.

Gently Wash Area:  Use lukewarm water and dry thoroughly. There is no need to use soap – which can be irritating – when changing diapers, nor any ointment or cream when the skin is healthy.

If Using Disposable Diapers, Go for Super Absorbents: Diapers with super absorbent layers keep the skin drier and urine away from the skin, more so than conventional or cloth diapers. Using super-absorbent diapers may be best for when your baby sleeps; day or night. When washing cloth diapers, rinse them well as soap residue can irritate your baby’s delicate skin.

Loose Diapers: Tight diapers impede air circulation and can contribute to skin irritation.

Powder Keeps Skin Dryer: If you want to use a powder, choose apure cornstarch powder. Do not use talc, which is associated with a small risk of cancer. To prevent the baby from sniffing any powder, put it in your hand before applying to the child.

Care With Removers: Widely used for cleaning babies, they can cause irritation as they contain fragrances, alcohol and preservatives that can irritate. If your skin doesn’t get irritated, it’s a good idea to use them. If diaper rash appearsswitch to plain water.

Introduce Solid Foods Gradually: To avoid diaper rash due to reactions to new foods, avoid giving your baby solids until he is four or six months old. If you find that a food is causing a burn , you should suspend it for a while.

When to Seek Medical Care:  Contact your doctor if the rash doesn’t get better after two or three days, if it appears in other areas, if there is redness in the skin folds, blisters, or if your child has a fever as it could be an infection or allergic reaction.

What the Doctor Should Do:  If there is an infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or anti-fungal medicine. You may also suggest a corticosteroid cream to reduce inflammation if there is an allergic reaction.