Diaper Rash 101
By Elizabeth Pantley
Diaper rash, as the name implies,
is a rash that appears in the area covered by your baby’s
diaper. Since a baby’s skin is very soft and sensitive,
almost every baby has at least one diaper rash during the padded-bottom
years. For some babies, it's a rare occurrence, but others seem
to have especially sensitive skin that frequently erupts in that
telltale shade of painful-looking red.
 |
Looking
for Diapers & Accessories?
Diapers,
covers, wet bags, PUL tote bags, inserts, novelty items,
wipes & more!
At the Balter
Catalogue Company. |
|
The causes of diaper rash
The most common reason for a rash in the diaper area is simply
that a baby’s delicate skin is surrounded 24 hours a day
by a diaper — one that is often wet or messy. This creates
a warm, moist area that's perfect for irritating that soft-as-butter
skin.
Diaper rashes occur regardless
of diaper type. All kinds of diapers — whether disposable
or cloth — trap moisture. Other factors can contribute to
a rashy bottom, such as friction, heat and bacteria.
Preventing diaper rash
To reduce the likelihood and frequency of diaper rash, here are
the most important preventive measures.
• Change your baby’s
diaper as soon as it becomes wet or messy.
• With each change, wash your baby’s bottom and
dry it thoroughly, paying special attention to skin folds and
creases.
• Don’t scrub your baby’s bottom. Using too
much pressure when cleaning can lead to skin breakdown. Instead,
wipe or pat gently.
• Always wipe from front to back, so you don't transfer
rectal bacteria to the genital area.
• Don’t secure a diaper too tightly. Allow for some
air to flow inside.
• Avoid using harsh or perfumed soaps when washing your
baby’s skin or laundering cloth diapers.
• Rinse cloth diapers thoroughly with very hot water.
• If using diaper covers, avoid plastic and use only breathable
fabric types.
• If your baby sleeps through the night and wakes up in
the morning with a soaked diaper, apply diaper ointment before
putting on your baby’s sleep-time diaper each evening.
Treating diaper rash
If your baby has a rash now, try the following ideas to clear
it up. Follow up by using the prevention strategies in the previous
section to help keep your baby rash-free.
• Change your baby frequently.
• After cleaning and drying his bottom, coat it with petroleum
jelly or a diaper ointment.
• If your child is in daycare, talk to your caregiver
about your treatment plan.
• When possible, let your baby go bare-bottomed for a
while. Exposing your baby’s skin to air is a gentle, natural
way to help it to heal.
• Don’t use powder that contains talc. Once wet,
powder can increase the friction between your baby’s skin
and the diaper. Also, your baby might inhale some powder, which
can be dangerous to his health.
• Experiment with different types of diapers, wipes and
diaper ointments.
When to call the doctor
A mild diaper rash isn’t cause for alarm. There are times,
however, when you should call your doctor.
• When the rash persists
without improvement for longer than three or four days.
• If the rash spreads beyond the diaper area.
• If the rash is bright red or if there are sores or blisters.
• If there is a discharge from your baby boy’s penis.
• If your baby is taking antibiotics.
• If your baby has a fever or is acting sick.
More than just diaper rash
Various other rashes sometimes are misdiagnosed as “diaper
rash.” Become familiar with the other types of baby rashes
so that you’ll know if the one on your baby's bottom requires
more extensive remedies.
© Elizabeth Pantley.
Excerpted from Gentle Baby Care.
Parenting educator
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of numerous parenting books, including
the widely cited The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to
Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night. Buy her books at
Powells.com.
She is a regular radio show
guest and is quoted frequently on the web and in national family
and women’s publications. Elizabeth lives in Washington
state with her husband, their four children and her mother. Visit
her at www.pantley.com/elizabeth.
