Healthy Living

 

 

 

 

 

Diaper Rash

 

Diaper rash (diaper dermatitis) is a skin problem that happens when the skin stays wet, rubs against wet, dirty diapers, and makes contact with urine and stool. The skin may look red, raw, scalded, or burned especially around the thighs, genitals, buttocks, or belly.
 
Diaper rash is the most common skin problem in babies 9 - 12 months old because they often sleep through the night with wet diapers. While diaper rash is uncomfortable, it is usually not a serious problem. Home treatment is usually all that is needed for most mild cases of diaper rash.

Causes of Diaper Rash

  • Not changing wet or dirty diapers often enough.
  • Babies starting to eat solid foods. This may change their stools and make diaper rash worse.
  • A skin reaction to perfumes in disposable diapers and chemicals in skin-cleaning "diaper wipes," or to detergents or fabric softeners used to clean cloth diapers.

Home Treatment for Diaper Rash

  • Keep the skin dry and leave diapers off as much as possible.
  • Make sure the skin is not in contact with urine and stool.
  • Use super-absorbent disposable diapers and change them right after they become wet or soiled.
  • Check diapers every 3 hours, even during the night, to clear up rashes.
  • Gently wash the diaper area with warm water and a soft cloth. Rinse well and let air-dry completely before putting another diaper on.
  • Protect healthy skin near the rash with a cream such as Desitin, A & D Ointment, or zinc oxide.
  • Give more fluids (water) to make the urine less concentrated. Cranberry juice may be used for children over 12 months of age. Don’t give children other juices because they can make the urine more irritating to the skin.

Aviod

  • Using soap unless the area is very soiled. Use only a mild soap if needed.
  • Using "baby wipes" that have alcohol or propylene glycol to clean the skin. These may burn the skin and spread bacteria on the skin.
  • Using plastic pants until the rash is gone.
  • Putting diapers on too tightly and don’t use bulky or many-layered diapers.
  • Applying creams to irritated or broken skin. This can slow the healing process.

For more information on diaper rash, and/or information on what to do if it doesn’t get better in a few days, visit the website below:

BC Health Guide
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/symptom/diras/overview.htm

 

 

Source:
BC Health Guide
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/symptom/diras/overview.htm