Diaper rash

Description

Diaper rash is a form of dermatitis that looks like the patches of inflammation of the skin in the buttocks, thighs and genitals. It can be caused by wet or soiled diapers that don't change very often. Or it may be due to the sensitivity of the skin and chafing. The condition is common in infants, despite the fact that anyone who wears a diaper regularly can develop.

Diaper rash usually resolves with simple at-home care, such as air drying, more frequent diaper changes, and the use of a barrier cream or ointment.

Symptoms

The symptoms of diaper rash include:

  • Inflammation of the skin in the diaper area of buttocks, thighs and genitals.
  • Itchy, sensitive skin in the diaper area.
  • Sores in the diaper area.
  • Malaise, irritability, or crying, especially during diaper changes.

When to see a doctor

If the diaper rash has not improved after a few days of home treatment, talk with your doctor or other health care professional. You may need prescription drugs for the treatment of diaper dermatitis. Or the eruption may have another cause, such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or nutritional deficiency.

Take your child to a doctor or other health professional to:

  • A rash with a fever.
  • A severe rash, or unusual.
  • A rash that persists or gets worse despite the care in the home.
  • An eruption of the skin that bleeds, itches or drainage.
  • An eruption of the skin causing a burning sensation or pain when the baby passes urine or fecal matter.

Causes

Diaper rash can be caused by:

  • Leaving a wet or soiled diapers for too long. The skin may develop a rash if wet or dirty diapers are too long. Babies may be more prone to diaper rash if they are having many of the stool or diarrhea.
  • Friction or rubbing. Well-fitting diapers or clothing that rubs against the skin can cause a rash.
  • The use of a new product. Your baby's skin can react to a new brand of baby wipes, diapers or a detergent, bleach or fabric softener used to wash cloth diapers. The ingredients in lotions, powders and oils can add to the problem.
  • The development of a bacterial infection or yeast infection. What begins as a simple infection can spread to the surrounding skin. The area covered by the diaper is at risk, because it is hot and humid, making it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. These eruptions can be found within the folds of the skin.
  • The introduction of new foods. As babies begin to eat solid foods, the content of the feces of the changes. This increases the likelihood of diaper rash. Changes in your baby's diet can also increase the frequency of the stool, which can lead to diaper rash. Breast-fed babies may develop diaper rash in response to something that the mother has eaten.
  • Having sensitive skin. Infants with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis or other skin conditions may be more likely to develop diaper rash. The irritation of the skin of atopic dermatitis also tends to be in areas not covered by the diaper.
  • The use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can contribute to an eruption by killing the bacteria that keep yeast growth in check. The use of antibiotics also increases the risk of diarrhea. Breastfed babies of mothers who take antibiotics also are at increased risk of diaper rash.

Risk factors

The risk factors for diaper rash include the use of diapers that do not change quite often and have sensitive skin.

Complications

  • Changes in the color of the skin. In babies with brown or Black skin, diaper rash can cause the affected area to illuminate. This is called post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. Slight lightening of the skin often goes away in a couple of weeks. Skin more severely affected could take months or years to return to its usual color.
  • Infection. Diaper rash may become a severe infection that does not respond to treatment.

Prevention

The best way to prevent diaper rash is to keep the diaper area clean and dry. A few simple skin care tips may help:

  • Change diapers often. Remove the diaper is wet or soiled, as soon as you can. If your child is in child care, ask the staff members to do the same. The disposable diapers contain absorbent gelling material can help you, because they draw moisture away from the skin.
  • Rinse your baby's bottom with warm water, as part of each diaper change. You can use a sink, a bathtub or a bottle of water for this purpose. Wet wipes, cotton balls, or baby wipes, you can help in the cleansing of the skin. Be soft. Some baby wipes can be irritating, so that the use of wipes that do not contain alcohol or fragrance. Or the use of potable water or water with a mild soap or cleanser.
  • Gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel or let it air dry. Do not rub your baby. Do not use talcum powder.
  • Apply the cream, paste or ointment. If your baby gets rashes often, apply a protective cream, paste or ointment with each diaper change. The petroleum jelly and zinc oxide are the time-tested ingredient in many diaper rash products. If the product is applied at the previous change of diaper, leave it in place and add another layer on top of the same.
  • After you change diapers, wash your hands well. Washing your hands can prevent the spread of bacteria or yeast to other parts of the body of his baby, to you and to other children.
  • Allow the flow of air under the diaper. Secure the diaper, but not too tight. The flow of air inside the diaper helps the skin. Diapers that are too tight can rub against the skin. Take a break from plastic or well-fitting diaper cover.
  • Give your baby more time without a diaper. When possible, let your baby go without a diaper. Exposing the skin to the air is natural and gentle way to dry. To avoid messy accidents, try placing your bare-bottomed baby in a large towel and participate in some games.

Diaper rash

Treatment

The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep your baby's skin as clean and dry as possible. If the rash does not go away with treatment, your doctor or other health professional could suggest:

  • A slight (0.5% to 1%) hydrocortisone (steroid) cream twice a day for 3 to 5 days.
  • An antifungal cream, if your baby has a fungal infection.
  • Antibiotics taken by mouth, if your baby has a bacterial infection.

Diaper rash may take several days to improve, depending on how serious it is. A rash may come back again and again. If a rash persists even with the prescription of the product, your doctor or another health professional may recommend that your baby, consult a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist).

Self-care

In general, a diaper rash can be treated successfully at home with these best practices:

  • Keep the diaper area clean and dry. The best way to keep the diaper area clean and dry is changing the diaper is wet or soiled, as soon as you can. Until the rash is best, this can mean that getting up during the night to change the diaper. Try using disposable diapers that contain a gel absorbent. Draw the moisture away from the skin.
  • Rinse your baby's bottom with warm water, as part of each diaper change. You can use a sink, a bathtub or a bottle of water for this purpose. Wet wipes, cotton balls, or baby wipes, you can help in the cleansing of the skin. Be soft. Some baby wipes can be irritating, so that the use of wipes that do not contain alcohol or fragrance. Or use plain warm water, or water with a mild soap or cleanser.
  • Gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel or let it air dry. Do not rub your baby. Do not use talcum powder.
  • Apply the cream, paste or ointment.After you have gently clean and dry the skin, apply a protective cream, paste or ointment. If the product is applied at the previous change of diaper, leave it in place and add another layer on top of the same. If you want to remove it, try using mineral oil on a cotton ball. Products with a high percentage of zinc oxide or petroleum jelly works well to protect the skin from moisture. Various diaper rash medications are available without a prescription. Some popular products include + D, Balmex, Desitin, and Triple the Pasta. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to suggest a product. After the application of diaper rash product, you can also apply petroleum jelly on the top. This helps to keep the diaper from sticking to the pasta in the form of ointment or cream. If you have been using a product with each diaper change, and it doesn't work, you may want to try an antifungal cream or ointment. An example is Lotrimin. Products fungicides should be applied two times a day. If the rash is not better within 5 to 7 days, take your child to the doctor. As a general rule, stick with products designed for babies. Avoid foods that contain sodium bicarbonate, boric acid, camphor, phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine or salicylates. These ingredients can be toxic to babies.
  • Increase the flow of air. To help the healing of diaper rash, do what you can to increase the exposure to air of the diaper of the region. These tips may help: Let your baby go without a diaper and paste, ointment or cream for short periods of time, such as during naps.Take a break from diaper plastic covers or well-adjusted.The use of diapers that are a little larger than your baby needs until the rash disappears.
  • Let your baby go without a diaper and paste, ointment or cream for short periods of time, such as during naps.
  • Take a break from diaper plastic covers or well-adjusted.
  • The use of diapers that are a little larger than your baby needs until the rash disappears.
  • Bathe your baby daily. Until the rash disappears, giving your baby a bath every day. The use of warm water with a mild, fragrance-free soap or a mild nonsoap cleanser.
  • Stop using products that seem to trigger your baby's rash. Try a different brand of wipes for baby, disposable diapers, soap or any other product that you think could be causing the problem.

Apply the cream, paste or ointment. After you have gently clean and dry the skin, apply a protective cream, paste or ointment. If the product is applied at the previous change of diaper, leave it in place and add another layer on top of the same. If you want to remove it, try using mineral oil on a cotton ball.

Products with a high percentage of zinc oxide or petroleum jelly works well to protect the skin from moisture. Various diaper rash medications are available without a prescription. Some popular products include + D, Balmex, Desitin, and Triple the Pasta. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to suggest a product.

After the application of diaper rash product, you can also apply petroleum jelly on the top. This helps to keep the diaper from sticking to the pasta in the form of ointment or cream. If you have been using a product with each diaper change, and it doesn't work, you may want to try an antifungal cream or ointment. An example is Lotrimin. Products fungicides should be applied two times a day. If the rash is not better within 5 to 7 days, take your child to the doctor.

As a general rule, stick with products designed for babies. Avoid foods that contain sodium bicarbonate, boric acid, camphor, phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine or salicylates. These ingredients can be toxic to babies.

  • Let your baby go without a diaper and paste, ointment or cream for short periods of time, such as during naps.
  • Take a break from diaper plastic covers or well-adjusted.
  • The use of diapers that are a little larger than your baby needs until the rash disappears.

Alternative medicine

The following alternative treatments have worked for some people:

  • The human breast milk.The results are mixed about whether human breast milk applied to the diaper rash is better than other treatments. A study showed that the application of breast milk for diaper rash is a safe and effective treatment. Babies with diaper rash were treated with 1% hydrocortisone ointment or breast milk. The treatment with the breast milk was as effective as the ointment only. The study included 141 of the babies. Another study compared human breast milk with a cream zinc oxide and cod liver oil. Infants with diaper rash were treated with the cream or milk. Treatment with the cream was more effective.
  • Other substances. Other natural remedies that have been tested, such as aloe vera, calendula, bee pollen, beeswax, and cod liver oil. Further studies are needed to demonstrate its efficacy for the treatment of diaper dermatitis. Some of these substances can promote the growth of bacteria.

The human breast milk. The results are mixed about whether human breast milk applied to the diaper rash is better than other treatments. A study showed that the application of breast milk for diaper rash is a safe and effective treatment. Babies with diaper rash were treated with 1% hydrocortisone ointment or breast milk. The treatment with the breast milk was as effective as the ointment only. The study included 141 of the babies.

Another study compared human breast milk with a cream zinc oxide and cod liver oil. Infants with diaper rash were treated with the cream or milk. Treatment with the cream was more effective.

Preparing for your appointment

In general, a diaper rash can be treated successfully at home. Make an appointment with your baby's doctor or other healthcare provider if the rash gets worse despite several days of treatment in the home, is severe, or occurs along with a fever.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • The list of symptoms that the baby and when it started.
  • List of key information about your baby's medical conditions and the intake of food. For example, does your baby has been treated for any disease or any of the medicines you recently? Has the baby's diet changed? If your baby is breastfed also note any of the drugs that can reach the baby through breast milk. Also take into account the changes in the mother's diet, such as an increase in acidic foods.
  • List of all the products that come in contact with the skin of your baby. Your baby's doctor will want to know what brand of wet wipes, diapers, detergent, soaps, lotions, powders, and oils that you use for your baby. If you think that one or more of the products which may be causing your baby's diaper rash, you may wish to bring to the appointment so your doctor can read the labels.
  • List of questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.

Below are some basic questions to ask your health care provider about the diaper rash.

  • What is the most likely cause of my baby's rash?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What can I do to help my baby skin to heal?
  • What diaper rash ointments, pastes, creams, or lotions do you suggest?
  • When should I use a cream or paste, instead of a cream or lotion?
  • Do you suggest other treatments?
  • What products or ingredients that should be avoided?
  • Should I avoid to expose my baby to certain foods?
  • I'm breastfeeding. Should I avoid certain foods that could affect my baby?
  • How soon do you expect my baby's symptoms to improve?
  • What can I do to prevent this condition from recurring?
  • Is the eruption of a sign of some other internal problem?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions. Be ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk in-depth. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you first notice the symptoms that the baby?
  • What type of diaper of your baby wear?
  • How often do you or your baby from the child care provider to change your baby's diaper?
  • What are the different types of soap and wipes what to use to clean your baby?
  • You can apply any skin care products for your baby?
  • Is your breastfed baby? If so, is the mother of taking antibiotics? Is there any change in the diet of the mother?
  • He has introduced his baby to solid foods?
  • What treatments have been tried up to now for your baby's rash? Nothing has helped?
  • Has your baby recently had some other medical condition, including any disease that caused the diarrhea?
  • Does your baby have taken any new medication lately?
Symptoms and treatment of Diaper dermatitis