Baby Has Severe Diaper Rash and Screams Because of the Burn

Everything you lot need to know to treat—and prevent—that dreaded diaper rash

By Katie Sweeney

Special thanks to Michael Cosimini, Md, for contributing to this article.

If your child is in diapers, at some signal you will probably deal with a diaper rash. At least half of all babies develop diaper rash.

But while diaper rash is a common problem, there is plenty you tin can do to help your infant. With a few uncomplicated steps, you can soothe that skin, speed healing—and help forbid another rash in the future.

What causes diaper rash?

The 2 biggest causes are wetness and friction. Basically, urine and stool from the diaper can irritate your infant's pare over time. Diapers tin also chafe or rub against your baby's bottom, creating friction.

Changes in the pH of the pare from pee, poop or some skin products tin cause rash.

In addition, soaps can break down skin over time, just as they suspension downwardly germs and dirt. And, rarely, babies can be allergic to a specific ingredient in a diaper, wipe or soap.

While diaper rash tin can occur at any historic period, it is most common in babies 9 to 12 months erstwhile. It is also more likely to happen when your baby:

• Starts eating solid foods
• Begins sleeping through the night (with fewer diaper changes)
• Has a cold or diarrhea
• Is taking antibiotics

Tips for treating diaper rash

A diaper rash can range from mild to astringent. With a balmy rash, you might see pocket-sized pinkish or cherry spots or patches. In more severe cases, the spots will be brighter red, or the skin may exist cracked, broken or blistered. The rash may spread downwardly to the legs or up the belly, and your baby may be crying or in distress.

The sooner you first treating the rash, the better. Below are some time-tested tips to aid that diaper rash disappear. These aforementioned tips can likewise help prevent futurity rashes, or at least make them less frequent and less severe.

• Ditch the diaper. Giving your baby some "naked time" out of diapers tin can help speed the healing process. Basically, this allows babies to stay dry and avoid friction, so their pare can breathe.

  One thought is to buy disposable waterproof pads (sometimes called "chux") and let the baby play on that pad without a diaper. Or, remove the diaper when your baby is sleeping. The more time with the diaper off, the improve, especially in severe cases.

• Change diapers more ofttimes. Don't allow your babe sit down long in a wet or soiled diaper. Changing diapers oft is a good way to prevent diaper rash or decrease its severity. Yeast loves to grow in warm moisture areas and then keeping the area dry out tin prevent rash from these infections.

• Use a barrier foam—and use a lot of information technology. A barrier cream protects your baby's skin from urine and stool. A zinc oxide foam or a petroleum jelly ointment are good options. Yous can also use these creams to endeavor to prevent a rash in the beginning place.

  The key? When the baby has a rash, apply a very thick layer of information technology—similar icing on a cake. Many parents nether-apply these creams.

• Be gentle when you clean. You want to reduce the friction on your baby'south bottom, so don't scrub or rub your infant clean. Gently pat the skin with a soft washcloth in warm h2o, or dip the baby briefly in a bath. Pat dry with a towel—don't rub.

  Warm water is often enough to make clean pee and poop. Soaps can be difficult on babies' skin; if warm water is not plenty, use a non-soap cleanser (most "baby washes" fall into this category). If yous utilise infant wipes, choose ones that are free of dyes, scents and alcohol.

• Switch to disposable diapers. If your baby is currently in cloth diapers, it'southward a good idea to switch to super-absorbent disposable diapers until the rash is healed. This will help keep your baby'southward skin every bit dry equally possible.

• Check the size. Make sure the diaper fits. A diaper that is too big tin rub dorsum and forth on your baby'southward bottom. If information technology's also small, information technology traps in moisture and brings the pee and poop likewise close to the peel.

When to phone call the medico

Almost mild diaper rashes can exist treated at domicile. It might take a few weeks for the rash to completely go away. But it should start to ameliorate later just a few days of following the above tips.

If your child's rash is severe or does non meliorate after several days or gets worse, phone call your doctor. A fungal infection might exist involved. Your child'southward doc might requite you a fungal medicine or a mild steroid cream.

You should also call the medico if your child:

• Has a fever (over 100.4) with the rash
• Has bruises, bleeding or open up sores in the area
• Is in a lot of pain or discomfort
• Is losing weight or seems sick

Diaper rash is a normal role of childhood, only your babe doesn't have to suffer. Watch for rashes and so you lot tin can treat them early. And if yous accept whatsoever concerns, telephone call your doctor.

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Bank check out more than Wellness and Rubber Tips

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Source: https://www.chla.org/blog/health-and-safety-tips/how-heal-your-baby-s-diaper-rash

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