Diaper rash is one of those things that every baby will experience, unfortunately. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t taking proper care of your baby’s sensitive areas, but it is a natural, sometimes unavoidable side effect of several factors that come with wearing a diaper for prolonged periods.
Friction, dampness and excessive play are all contributors to the uncomfortable skin condition. The rash can be identified by its red, splotchy appearance. It can be seen on the genitals, bum and even inner thighs and legs. Diaper rash is caused by a diaper that may be too tight or that has been exposed to wetness from pee and poo for an extended period.
How do you prevent it?
It isn’t 100% preventable, but you can take steps to minimise the number of occurrences.
Keep the area dry and clean!
The most important way to prevent a rash is to keep your baby’s diaper dry. And make sure that the diaper isn’t too tightly wrapped, says Healthline Parenthood.
The skin in the diaper area will also do well by being aired now and then. Let your baby spend some time without the diaper to air-dry the area. There are loads of medicated, over-the-counter pastes and creams that contain zinc to soothe the skin. These creams act as a barrier between the excrement and the skin.
No soap!
You can also clean the area gently with a soft cloth or a squirt of water from a bottle whenever you change your baby’s diaper. Wipes are fine, but avoid wipes containing alcohol. Don’t rub the skin too hard.
Use mild soap or a soap-free cleanser when you give your baby a bath. Be sure to pat the area dry gently. Rubbing will irritate the already broken skin.
Fragranced product smell lovely, but they usually aren’t gentle on the skin and can cause an allergic reaction.
Do not leave diaper rash untreated.
Many parents believe that diaper rash is something that will go away on its own. Sometimes that is true, but many babies can get a secondary infection if their diaper rash isn’t treated. In fact, your little one could get a yeast infection called candidiasis. It will make the rash look slightly wet and open. It resembles popped blisters.
Diaper rash can also appear on other parts of the body. Some babies get these ‘satellite lesions’ on the abdomen or thighs.
Get medical attention
If diaper rash persists for more than a week, or if you notice the rash weeping or changing colour, it is best to make an appointment to see a healthcare professional. You may need more than over-the-counter intervention, such as a prescription antifungal cream or an additional antibiotic/ointment.
If your child becomes difficult to console or seems to be in pain related to diaper rash, these are also signs to call the paediatrician.
Natural remedies for diaper rash
Besides the common creams and medications, there are a few natural, old-wives’ interventions that some moms swear by.
Breast Milk
Nature’s best medicine, filled with nutrients designed specifically for your baby’s body, breastmilk has been known to ease the pain of thrush and diaper rash. Just apply the milk topically onto the affected area and let it air-dry before replacing the nappy.
Pantry essentials
Baking soda, coconut oil and yoghurt, vinegar and oatmeal are all known to assist in different ways. Vinegar and baking soda diluted separately in water can be effective as a baby wash. It kills germs and will also dry out the rash.
Yoghurt is anti-inflammatory and a naturally occurring probiotic that is found to be effective against a variety of yeast and microbial infections. These properties make it a great home remedy to treat diaper rashes, explains Style Craze. The same goes for Aloe Vera gel.
Coconut oil is one of the best natural remedies. The saturated fats in coconut oil help in keeping your baby’s skin soft and moisturised, its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties help treat the rashes.
The Medical Society
Getting the proper shots, care and procedures for your child can be a daunting task, but it is very important to have them constantly evaluated by medical professionals. As unpleasant as watching children suffer through injections and blood tests can be, know that you are doing what is best for them – and that is what parenting is all about. As a member of the Medical Society, you need not worry about access to safe and hygienic vaccinations.
The Medical Society offers assistance in many facets of a child’s health and development such as child nutrition and growth monitoring, which is the constant checking of the weight and height of your child by age range. This includes comparisons with developmental milestones against age.
We are on hand for advice on child nutrition, including breastfeeding; services that are available at all Medical Society facilities.
