10 Easy Ways To Treat Diaper Rashes In Babies
4 min readWritten by Pradeep
Babies are far more delicate than they actually appear. They are sensitive and their skin is still developing. You love the smoothness and silky texture of their skin and you wish nothing ever ruins this. However to your dismay, this sensorial skin may easily develop rashes and become a source of discomfort for your baby. Rashes can develop anywhere on the body where there is friction, but the most common site remains the diaper area.
What Causes Diaper Rashes In Baby?
So what leads to diaper rashes in babies? Wet and unchanged diapers may not always be the reason, read below to know about other causes:
- Too tight diaper: Extremely tight diaper blocks air circulation and traps moisture leading to rashes
- Antibiotics: Some medicines may cause hives
- Inadequate hygiene: Improper cleaning of diaper area can easily irritate the sensitive skin of the baby
- Wet Skin: If the skin is constantly in contact with acidic contents of urine, it may cause bacterial infections and abrasions
- Sensitivity to new foods: It is mostly observed in the babies to whom solid foods have been introduced or mother had dramatic dietary changes. This may cause diarrhea in babies or hives as a direct result. The watery stools can also contribute to rash
What Does A Diaper Rash Look Like?
It is not difficult to identify a diaper rash, an inflamed skin in the upper thighs, buttock por genital area is generally the first sign that your baby is getting irritated with the diaper. Some of the common signs include:
- A splotchy red skin
- Raised red dots or pimple-like abruptions
- Signs that skin is peeling at places
- Irritated and inflamed skin around genitals and thighs
- Swollen skin
10 Easy Ways To Treat Diaper Rashes In Baby
You must be able to resolve diaper rash of your baby in three-four days. Below are a few tips to get the rash sorted:
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- Change and clean: Wearing soiled diapers for too long is perhaps one of the leading causes of diaper rashes. So it’s pretty logical to change the diapers as soon as they are soiled. Changing the diapers is not enough. You need to make sure that the area is dry before you cover it back with a nappy. The presence of moisture easily attracts bacteria and may further exacerbate the rash
- Pat dry: Do not scrub your baby’s skin. Just a squirt of water and wipe using soft cloth is sufficient. After every wash, gently pat dry, allow the rest to air dry and wrap him up in a soft and loose nappy. A happy baby!
- Invest in super-absorbent diapers: Some say that this may rob away the moisture off skin, but will work well to keep the area dry. You can always apply petroleum jelly or other suitable alcohol and fragrant-free lotions that will calm the rash and even make up for the moisture. The upside is that it will create a barrier between skin and acidic or bacterial content of stools and urine. You can also switch between disposable and cloth diapers. Sometimes you simply need to find out what suits your baby best! If you have been using the disposable diapers, try other brands, a bigger size and see if it makes difference. Alternatively revert to the cloth nappies and see if rash gets better. Similarly those using cloth nappies may want to try the disposables. It’s simply a matter of what eases the rash
- Aerate the area: You might have heard a couple of times that it’s best to leave the wound open for faster healing. Same is the case with diaper rash. Allow your baby to have some nappy-free time and you will be charmed by his giggles!
- Steer clear of baby wipes: The advertisers won’t tell you but some wipes contain alcohol and fragrance which may further irritate the delicate skin of your baby
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil not only soothes the irritated skin but also fights bacteria. It’s a tried and tested remedy used since ages to treat rashes. Simply dab some coconut oil on dry and clean diaper area several times a day till visible improvement
- Baking soda: Prepare a warm bath for your baby to soak in. Add 2 tablespoon of baking soda to the baby’s tub and allow him to soak the diaper area for about 10 minutes. You can alternatively rinse the diaper area with the baking soda + water mixture. (Add two tablespoons of baking soda to four cups of water)
- Petroleum Jelly: A thin layer of this wonderful coating can protect the baby’s diaper area from getting irritated from urine and stools. Apply this every time you change the baby’s diaper, after cleaning the diaper area and patting it dry
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal contains high levels of proteins that help in making the skin supple and soft. Saponin, present in oatmeal also helps to clean the skin pores off dirt and other oils. Simply add a tablespoon of oatmeal in your baby’s bath water and soak your baby for around 10 minutes
- Get an extra rinse of nappies: Sometimes the harsh detergents are the culprits behind rash or breakouts. Consider giving an extra water rinse in washing machine or add half cup of vinegar to half bucket of water to get rid of any remnant detergent or soap on the nappy
If there is no improvement in rash, or if you feel that the skin has become way too infected, characterized by pus oozing pimples or peeling, tender skin then seek medical advice. Also do not skip breastfeeding, it adds to the immunity of the child. Usually diaper rash is nothing to worry about and can be easily managed at home.
Read more about diaper rashes causes and prevention here.
Pradeep,
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