DIAPER RASH... Causes, Prevention & Treatment

Diaper rash symptoms

Diaper rash usually comes on quickly, and it affects the areas of baby’s body that are in closest contact with the diaper. While there are some common symptoms of diaper rash, there is wide variation in what diaper rash looks like.
Take a look under your baby’s diaper. If diaper rash is causing the problem, you will see some or all of the following symptoms:

• Pinkness or redness over a small or large area, wherever the diaper touches
• Dry raised bumps
• Fluid-filled raised bumps
• Dryness or peeling/scaling of the skin
• Edema, or swelling
• Affected areas may be warm to the touch.

The primary cause of diaper rash is prolonged and increased exposure to wetness/moisture against the skin. Other contributing factors to diaper rash are the closed environment created by the diaper, Chafing from friction or rubbing and Prolonged contact of the skin with urine, feces or both.

Treating Diaper Rash,

 1. Clean Your Baby’s Skin

• Always keep your baby’s skin as clean and dry as possible. That means changing wet or soiled diapers right away. Since you may not always know when your baby needs a change, check the diaper at least every two hours. In newborns or babies with diaper rash and/or diarrhea, you will need to check even more frequently.
• If you use wipes during diaper changes, make sure you choose ones that are mild, gentle, and designed for your baby’s special needs. Your best choices are wipes that have been clinically tested or proven mild to the skin. I use fragrance free wipes, if I have to.
• You may prefer to use a soft, wet washcloth to gently clean the diaper area. Warm water should do the job; use a gentle baby cleanser only if the stool does not come off easily.
• Whether you use wipes or a washcloth, it’s important to avoid further irritating damaged skin. Use your wipe or washcloth to gently pat skin, being careful not to rub.
• If you have already applied a diaper rash treatment at the previous diaper change, don’t worry about removing any leftover ointment. Clean the soiled, outer layer and leave the ointment on the skin to avoid damaging delicate skin as it heals.

2. Allow diaper area to dry

One key step to healing diaper rash is keeping the area clean and dry. Once you have finished cleaning your baby’s bottom, pat it dry (no rubbing!) before applying a thick barrier of protection. Better yet, allow your baby to go without a diaper for a little while to let her bottom air dry and then apply a thick barrier of protection when you do re-diaper.

3. Ways to prevent diaper rash.

 First, it’s important to keep your baby’s skin as clean and dry as possible.

Always allow diaper area to dry before wearing  another diaper.

Wash your baby's bottom with warm water and your baby's soap if you are at home or use wipes to do the cleaning when outside your home.

Allow your baby go without a diaper for at least 30mins to 1hour daily or even more if you can.