Diaper Rash - Ouch! Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
One minute your baby happy and the skin in the diaper area looks great; the next he's sad and red...
Diaper rash can come really quickly! And if your baby is crying and you know he's not sleepy or hungry, checking the diapers both for their content and your baby's skin might show you the answer to his fussiness.
Are you wondering what diaper rash really is it and what is the best way to treat it, then read on. Obviously it is something that makes baby very uncomfortable and you want to get it cleared up as soon as possible.
You must remember that your baby has very sensitive skin, and that it really doesn’t take much for the skin to become red and irritated. I am telling you this because there are many causes for diaper rash. Anything from the baby’s own urine to a new food that has been introduced can cause the diaper rash.
The combination of the bacteria from a bowel movement and urine can lead to production of ammonia. This is incredible rough on the delicate skin of a baby. Diaper rash can also be the result of the diaper rubbing on the skin. This is commonly known as chafing. There is also chemical sensitivity, if you are using a scented lotion, body wash, cleansing clothes or the diaper themselves can also cause redness and irritation. Food is also a causative agent. New foods, particular solids, change the composition of the baby’s stool. This can also cause more bowel movements. Yeast infections are also common causes of diaper rash.
The best advice I can give you about how to spot diaper rash is if the diaper area begins to look red and irritated you will want to take steps to get rid of diaper rash. Know that not all diaper rashes appears the same, the skin can actually be slightly puffy and warm, or tender to the touch.
The diaper rash can also vary in intensity. It can be mild, where it looks like small little spots in a small area. The diaper rash can also be so extreme that the entire area is red, swollen and tender. It can also be anywhere in between.
Depending on the severity of the diaper rash will dictate which therapy is best. But here is a breakdown of treatments. Allowing your baby to sleep with a bare bottom when he has a rash is a good idea. Just use a plastic sheet in the crib to protect the mattress. If weather permits, meaning that the air is warm let your little on be bare bottom. Obviously if you can floors that can be easily cleaned that is ideal. The goal is to get the fresh air to the baby’s bottom.
Changing baby’s diaper often is also a good idea. Even if it means that you are changing baby in the middle of the night. Make sure that you clean the diaper area well also. Making sure that you dry the area is also important.
There are also barrier ointments that can be applied to baby’s bottom to help heal the diaper rash and prevent it from getting worse. For example, ointments with white zinc oxide are usually very effective.
Sometimes changing to another diaper brand can prevent and heal diaper rash.
Calling the doctor is usually not necessary unless the area looks infected. If there are blisters or any oozing areas you need to call the doctor and get baby in as soon as possible.
Also, if the rash doesn't go away, but rather gets worse, despite doing all you can to get rid of it, talking to a doctor is a good idea. If a yeast infection, including baby thrush, is the cause, the rash won't go away without medical treatment.
In a few cases, milk intolerance or other food allergy may also be a reason for diaper rash, but before experimenting with your own or your baby's diet, you should consult a doctor.
