All About Diaper Rashes
You know the old adage, “smooth as a babies bottom”. Unfortunately this belief has probably led a lot of new mother’s into thinking that baby bottoms are supposed to be perfectly clear and rash free. Wrong! The good news is that it’s completely normal for babies to have rashes. So relax.
Why Babies Get Diaper Rash
Start with ultra sensitive skin, add the chemicals and moisture of urine and stools, cover the area with a diaper that rubs back and forth, and voila, you’ve got diaper rash. This damaged skin is susceptible to the invasion of bacteria and yeast, which can make the rash worse.
Not surprisingly, babies who are breastfed are less likely to get diaper rash due to the less acid quality of their urine. In addition, babies wearing super absorbent disposable diapers with a central gelling material, NOT made of cloth and NOT made with dyes (ie cute colored patterns!) also are less likely to develop a diaper rash.
Let’s learn about a few time-tested tricks that will get you through this more easily. These tips can be followed more or less strictly, depending on how much of a problem your baby has with diaper rash – if it is an ongoing fight, here’s how you can fight back:
Prevention
-Change soiled diapers right away – a lot of work, especially newborns who have more frequent stools but don’t worry, this slows down the bigger they grow!
_Change diapers in general every two hours. At first they will urinate often but this too slows down as they grow.
-If you are using cloth diapers, be sure to add vinegar to your rinse cycle, about a half cup for a small load. (*You can also request this of your diaper service)
-Wipe carefully and completely with unscented wipes, or just plain water – less irritants
-Try a new diaper brand – fits are different and may lead to less friction
-Sensitive bottoms need diaper rash cream with each clean diaper. Use either a petroleum ointment like Vaseline or white zinc oxide (which is thicker but better for those who are more likely to get a rash)
* since steroids are absorbed easily into your baby’s skin and can increase chance of side effects, avoid using steroid creams or ointments under your baby’s diaper.
So you’ve done all the preventative measures and your baby still is getting a rash? Don’t worry. Even the most pampered babes still get diaper rash. Here’s how to deal with those rash patches...
Treatment
-Wash bottom with water and don’t rub rash areas
-Use a squirt bottle to clean area to avoid rubbing
-Pat dry and let baby’s bottom air dry before putting another diaper on
-Let baby go around without a diaper on as long as possible
-Be generous with the diaper cream
-Ultimately, get you child potty trained, which is the only 100% way of preventing diaper rash that we know of!
-Acid mantle – can be used in conjunction with zinc oxide and is great for moderate diaper rashes.
-Butt paste or Triple paste- have your pharmacist mix up a cream for you in case of a severe rash. Triple paste is non-prescription but can be difficult to find.
*If your child has raw and irritated areas of skin with his diaper rash, you might ask your Pediatrician if you can use a mild, over-the-counter strength brand of hydrocortizone. Some parents like to use Maalox topically in this situation.
* If the rash is raised, has clear borders to the rash area, or is directly around the anus, you should contact your physician for further advice.
Other Types of Diaper Rash
If you suspect any of the following, please consult your pediatrician. They involve more rigorous therapies than the ones mentioned above.
Yeast Diaper Rash
If your babies diaper rash is not clearing up after 3-4 days, the most common prognosis is a yeast infection. This type of diaper rash is caused by Candida albicans, which also causes thrush. Yeast diaper rashes appear as a bright red rash with small red bumps around it. Possible causes are a recent past use of antibiotics. For this type of ailment, use a topical antifungal cream.
-Clotrimazole – this is an over-the-counter antifungal cream that is applied 2 - 3 times a days beneath the other creams.
-Nystatin – this is a prescription drug and extended use is discouraged.
-Acidophilus - this is a natural bacterial powder that fights off yeast.
Allergy Ring
A variety of foods can irritate baby's bottom causing a red ring to form around the baby’s anus, especially acidic foods such as citrus and tomato-based sauces. Eliminate fruit juices and suspected foods from not only baby’s diet but from your diet if you are breastfeeding.
Intertrigo
This kind of rash develops within the skin folds and creases around the diaper area where the skin rubs together. Heat and moisture mixed with urine cause a red, burn-like appearance. Usually a regular white petroleum diaper ointment will clear it up.
Less Common Types of Diaper Rash
These are less common conditions that can cause a diaper rash in children include and usually include other symptoms:
Seborrheic Dermatitis - with greasy, yellow or salmon-colored scales that also occur on a baby's face, behind their ears, and on their scalp and armpits
Psoriasis - which may also involve a child's scalp and nails
Zinc Deficiency - includes a poor diet, diarrhea, hair loss, and a rash around a child's mouth
Acrodermatitis Enteropathica - a genetic cause of zinc deficiency
Histiocytosis X
Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome - with bleeding, serious infections, and eczema
Congenital Syphilis
This might all seem a bit daunting, but don’t worry! Most rashes aren’t serious enough for urgent nighttime calls! Generally, they can easily be evaluated and treated the next day.
