Diaper Rash - Diaper Rash Treatment

Diaper Rash - Cause of Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a red and painful rash on the diaper area. It will be easier for you to recognize diaper rash after you've seen it for the first time. Diaper rash can be caused by:

• skin reaction to the bacteria and moisture in your baby’s urine and stools.
• allergic reaction to soaps, oils, or perfumes that touches the baby’s skin.
• reaction to the soap used to wash cloth diapers.
• reaction to baby care product such as baby wipes or disposable diapers.

Preventing Diaper Rash – Diaper Rash Treatment

Diaper rash can be uncomfortable and painful to your baby, if you’re constantly battling diaper rash, there are things you can do to help prevent it.

• Wash your hands before and after changing diapers.
• Keep your baby skin dry. Check your baby diaper often (at least once every two hours). Change diapers as soon as possible after they have been wet or soiled.
• Three or four times a day or as often as possible remove your baby diaper and expose the diaper area to air for 5 to 10 minutes before applying a clean diaper.
• If you are using cloth diapers, wash cloth diapers with mild detergent and give the diapers an extra rinse. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners on cloth diapers.
• Avoid using airtight plastic pants over the diaper because plastic pants trap moisture against your baby skin.
• If you are using disposable diapers and the rash is getting worse, try switching to cloth diapers or a different brand of disposable diapers.

Diaper Rash Treatment – Diaper Rash Remedy

Sometimes you’ve done all that you could and your baby still gets diaper rash here are some tips to treat those rough spots.

• Change wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible.
• Once diaper rash appear stop using plastic pants because plastic pants trap moisture against your baby’s skin.
• Try a different brand of disposable diapers because some babies tolerate one kind of disposable diaper better than another.
• When changing diapers use a face cloth and water to rinse the diaper area. Allow the diaper area to air-dry. If possible, expose the diaper area to air for 5 to 15 minutes before applying a clean diaper.
• Protect healthy skin with zinc oxide cream or A & D Ointment.

When to Call a Health Professional

Diaper rash in usually not dangerous but sometimes you do need professional help to treat the rash. Call a health professional if:

• the diaper rash lasts longer than 3 days
• the diaper rash becomes very red or sore-looking
• the rash has puss, blister, crusty patches or pealing areas
• the rash occurs mainly in the skin creases. This may be a sign of a yeast infection.