How to deal with diaper rash and how to avoid it

One of the least enticing aspects of new parenthood is diaper duty, and its dreaded companion, diaper rash.
Diaper rash is a skin inflammation characterized by bright red patches that appear on your baby’s bottom. In severe cases, fever and a widespread rash may develop.
Luckily for you, mom, diaper rash is highly treatable and usually resolves within days or weeks. And don’t be too hard on yourself when it shows up on your baby: almost every baby will get diaper rash at least once during the first 3 years of life.

When does diaper rash occur?
You’re most likely to notice diaper rash when your baby is 9-12 months old. That’s the age range in which your little one is sitting most of the time, and also eating solid foods likely to alter the acidity of his/her bowel movements.
There are, however, certain factors that can make your baby more prone to diaper rash. Chafing, skin sensitivity, and wet or infrequently changed diapers are often the culprits.
Diarrhoea or frequent bowel movements can also make your baby more likely to get diaper rash.
Also according to Johns Hopkins’ Health Library, babies taking antibiotics or who are breastfed by mothers taking antibiotics are more susceptible.

How can you treat diaper rash at home?
Sometime, despite your best efforts, a diaper rash is inevitable. Luckily you don’t necessarily have to bring your baby to the doctor to treat his or her rash. Follow these simple steps for a few days at home if the symptoms if your baby’s diaper rash appear mild to moderate.

• Avoid products that seem to trigger your baby’s rash, and be cautious about introducing new ones.
• Avoid soaps and wipes that contain alcohol or fragrance.
• Wash your baby’s bottom with water after each diaper change. Then, make sure your baby’s skin is dry before putting on a new diaper.
• Give your baby as much diaper free time as possible to air out the skin.
• Change your baby’s diapers frequently and apply a diaper cream, lotion, paste, or ointment as a barrier between your baby’s skin and a dirty diaper.

What if the rash persists?
If, after a few days of home treatment, your baby’s diaper rash hasn’t improved, call your paediatrician. You’ll want to have the rash examined if it:

• Is severe or atypical.
• Gets worse in spite of home remedies.
• Is accompanied by diarrhea continuing for more than 48 hours.
• Is marked by red or scaly areas on the labia and vagina in girls.
• Bleeds, itches, or oozes.
• Appears to cause burning or pain during urination or bowel movement.
• Is characterized by pimples, blisters, ulcers, large bumps, or sores filled with pus.
• Is accompanied by a fever.
• Gets bigger or has smaller patches that grow and blend in with other patches.

To make the most of your pediatrician visit, provides some helpful suggestions. First, list your baby’s signs and symptoms, and for how long your baby has had them.
You will also want to list key information about the baby’s medical conditions and food intake. If you’re breastfeeding, include any medications or new foods your baby may have been exposed to through breast milk.
Then list all products that come into contact with your baby’s skin, including all laundry detergent, diapers, soaps, lotions, etc. You may even want to take a snapshot of the ingredient lists on the products with your cell phone so your doctor knows exactly what’s in them.
Finally, list any questions you have so you don’t miss a beat.

How might your paediatrician treat your baby’s diaper rash?
A severe or persistent diaper rash may require treatment beyond what you can do at home without a prescription. If your child appears to have a candida (yeast) infection, your doctor may recommend antifungal creams or medications.
If your child has impetigo (a bacterial infection), your paediatrician may prescribe antibiotics. In many cases, your doctor may recommend a brief course of mild topical steroid cream or ointment if the rash doesn’t appear linked to an infection.

How can you prevent diaper rash moving forward?
Following certain habits on a regular basis will likely to decrease the likelihood that your baby will get diaper rash. You may want to consider making these practices a part of your normal diaper routine.

• Wash your hands before and after changing your baby’s diaper to prevent a range of infections.
• Although today’s disposable diapers are highly absorbent, and wet diapers may not bother your baby, you’ll want to limit your baby’s skin’s exposure to urine and faeces by changing diapers frequently.
• Make sure your baby’s skin is clean and dry before putting on a new diaper.
• Don’t let the diaper’s tape adhere to your baby’s skin, as it can cause further irritation.

A final word on diaper rashes.
Diaper rash is a nearly inevitable consequence of diaper use, so don’t beat yourself up if it happens to your baby.
The key is to identify diaper rash before it gets severe; then take steps at home to treat the rash to hopefully avoid a trip to the paediatrician. If you do have to go to the paediatrician, the rash should be an easy fix and is likely not cause for major alarm.
Have you avoided diaper rash with your baby? If so, what worked for you? If your baby got diaper rash, what solutions were the most effective? Please share your experience in the comments section so other moms can learn your tricks.