Diaper Rash

CAUSES AND TIPS ON HOW TO PREVENT IT

For many parents, baby's diapers are a blessing and a curse. On one hand, they control their child's waste in a relatively convenient manner. On the other hand, they are responsible for one of the most common skin disorders of infancy: Diaper Rash.

One of the primary causes of diaper rash is prolonged skin contact with moisture. Under these circumstances, natural oils are stripped away, the outer layer of skin is damaged, and there is increased susceptibility to infection. Occasionally, more severe cases of diaper rash can originate from allergies, viruses or underlying skin disorders.

Diaper rash is a term that covers a broad variety of skin conditions that occur on the same area of the body. The most common forms are:

FRICTION RASH: This usually affects all babies at one time or another, and is commonly found on areas where friction exists, such as under the elastic of diapers and around the inner thighs.

IRRITATION RASH: Found on the buttocks and generally results from direct contact with stool and urine, soaps, baby wipes, topical treatments, and detergents.

ALLERGIC RASH: This is normally found around the buttocks, and looks similar to a Poison Oak rash. It's usually the result of allergies to food, dust, pollen, and even insect bites.

SEBORRHEA RASH: The diaper area equivalent of cradle cap. It is scaly and greasy in appearance and may be worse in the folds of the skin.

INTERTRIGO RASH: Found in the folds of a baby's sensitive skin and caused by repeated exposure to moist heat.

Tips to prevent diaper rash:

Check your baby's diaper every hour and change it when wet or soiled.

Clean your baby's bottom at each diaper change. Trying using plain water instead of diaper wipes.

Allow your baby's skin to dry before putting on a clean diaper.

Use soap only when necessary, even mild soaps remove natural oils that protect your baby's skin.

Don't scrub your baby's bottom. Scrubbing can lead to skin breakdown.

Don't use a blow dryer to dry your baby's skin. Hot air can cause skin to shrink and crack.

Use a lotion or ointment to protect your baby's skin from excessive moisture. "Skin Protectant for Water" by Elon and "Zeasorb Powder" by Stiefel Laboratories are two excellent products carried by Dermstore.com.

Let your baby go bare-bottomed whenever possible. Exposing their skin to air is a natural and gentle way to let it dry.

Avoid diapers with elastic bands.

Boil (sterilize) cloth diapers for 15 minutes after you wash them.

At the first sign of redness apply a diaper rash cream. Continue to apply at each diaper change until the rash is cleared.

When to Call Your Doctor:

If you follow the above guidelines and a rash persists or worsens, call your doctor or qualified health care professional. While diaper rash is rarely serious, it can develop into a secondary infection due to bacterium such as staphylococcus or streptococcus or by yeast, such as candida albicans (or other dermatophyte or superficial fungi). As always, your healthcare provider is the best source for the continuing health of your baby.

Article posted 11/22/2003.

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2008-07-26