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Baby skin care - Diaper rash causes, treatment, and home remediesDiaper rash is a skin conditions almost all babies experience. Sometimes, it is persistent even if the diapers are changed frequently.According to American Academy of Pediatrics, more than half of babies between 4 months and 15 months of age develop diaper rash at least once in a two-month period There are different causes that you might take into consideration:
Some babies have very sensitive skin, and might react to any new product. New shampoo, new baby lotion, clothes, detergent… all of these might cause skin irritation.
This is one of the most common cause of diaper rash. The moisture irritates the skin, and combined with warmth inside of diaper, creates a perfect condition for the rash to appear.The acid contained in the urine or stool also causes the irritation.
Invest in good quality diapers. The rubbing irritates the skin, and if the diaper is left on too long, the rash is almost certain to appear.
There are a few different diaper rash treatments available. The best diaper rash remedy I know of is this one: Give your baby a bath. Use water only; do not use any baby bath products. Pat dry and let the baby stay undressed for a while. 10-15 minutes of exposure to fresh air does wonders. You could also use a blow dryer to speed the process up. After you are sure the baby’s bottom is dry, apply 100% lanolin ointment. Many diaper rash creams are based on lanolin, as it creates a coating over the skin, preventing the moisture to penetrate. Rub the ointment over the rash area and dress the baby up. One more diaper rash home remedy includes preparing a bath for the baby and adding a bit of oatmeal (handful or so). Splash the affected area with water and then pat dry the baby. Our reader Meghan shares another diaper rash remedy: Take an egg white and whip it till it's nice and foamy. Then gently scoop the foam in your fingers and pat it gently onto baby's bum. You can blow on it to dry it and apply another layer if you like. The egg white forms a thin skin over the rash but allows the skin to breathe and regenerate underneath. Repeat this after each diaper change and the tush will be as good as new! Cloth diapers are recommended when baby has a rash because they are changed as soon as the baby wets, keeping the skin drier and preventing the assault of urine and plastic fumes from disposables. Come to think of it, babies in cloth rarely get rash at all! Thanks Meghan! All of these baby rash treatments will be ineffective if you don’t follow some of the basic steps: Change the baby’s diaper frequently After every diaper change, wash the baby using water only, some soaps might increase the irritation Pat dry and apply the remedy of your choice This condition may become quite serious, and American Association of Pediatrics warns about these signs: - Blisters or pus-filled sores
Additional baby skin conditions and remedies pages American Association of Pediatrics
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