Diaper Rash: Tips
on Prevention and Treatment
What does diaper rash look
like?
Diaper rash usually causes mild
redness and scaling where the diaper touches your baby's skin.
In bad cases, the rash can cause pimples, blisters and other
sores. If your baby's rash gets infected, the rash may be
bright red and the skin may be swollen. Small red patches or
spots may spread beyond the main part of the rash, even
outside the diaper area.
What causes diaper rash?
Most diaper rashes are caused by
skin irritation. Irritation can be caused by diapers that rub
against the skin, fit too tightly or are left on for too long.
Your baby's skin can also be irritated by the soap used to
wash cloth diapers, or by some brands of disposable diapers or
baby wipes.
Plastic pants that fit over
diapers raise the temperature and moisture in the diaper area.
Heat, moisture and irritated skin make it easier for diaper
rash to start and for germs to grow.
How is diaper rash prevented and
treated?
The key to preventing and
treating diaper rash is to keep your baby's diaper area clean,
cool and dry.
Change your baby's diaper often,
and let him or her go without a diaper when possible to let
the air dry his or her skin.
Try placing your baby on an open
cloth diaper during nap time. Check the diaper shortly after
your baby falls asleep and replace it if it's wet. Babies
often urinate right after falling asleep.
See the box below for tips on
preventing and treating diaper rash. If these things don't
work, talk to your doctor.
Don't use creams that contain
boric acid, camphor, phenol, methyl salicylate or compound of
benzoin tincture. These things can be harmful.
What if my baby has an
infection?
If your baby also has an
infection with the rash, the rash may not get better by
following these tips alone. Your doctor might give you a
prescription for a special cream to use on your baby's rash.
What about powder?
Talcum powder and cornstarch
aren't recommended. Talcum powder can get in your baby's
lungs. Cornstarch may make a yeast infection worse.
Should I use cloth or disposable
diapers?
The choice is up to you. Some
research suggests that because disposable diapers are more
absorbent they keep babies drier.
If you use cloth diapers and wash
them at home, boil them for 15 minutes on the stove after
washing them to kill germs and remove soap that could irritate
your baby's skin.
But remember that the most
important thing about diapers is to change them
often.
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- The diaper rash occurs
in the first 6 weeks of life
- Pimples and small
ulcers form
- Your baby has a fever
- Your baby loses weight
or isn't eating as well as usual
- Large bumps or nodules
appear
- The rash spreads to
other areas, such as the arms, face or scalp
- The rash doesn't get
better after trying the tips on treating diaper rash
for 1 week
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