Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is very common in babies and is not a sign of parental neglect. Most babies get nappy rash at some time in the first 18 months. Diaper rash is a type of irritant dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) that is localized to the diaper area in infants and often spares the skin of the folds beneath the diaper. Diaper rash may become infected by bacteria or yeast normally present on the skin. Effective treatment can eliminate diaper rash.

What causes diaper rash?

• Common diaper rash is caused by at least two factors:
• Contact irritation; and/or
• Local skin infection due to overgrowth of various bacteria or fungal organisms.

Other causes include:

1.A sensitive skin
2. Rubbing or chaffing
3. Strong soap, detergent or bubble bath
4. Baby wipes containing alcohol
5. Diarrhoea or illnesses
6. Changes in diet such as weaning or changing from breast milk to formula.

In its early stages the rash may appear as red patches on your baby's bottom or there may be general redness. The skin may look sore and be hot to touch and there may be spots, pimples or blisters.

What treatments are recommended for diaper rash?

• Avoidance of the precipitating agents: The best treatment for diaper rash is avoidance of the precipitating agents, which led to the contact irritation and to regions becoming secondarily infected by skin bacteria or yeast.
  
  
• Open-air exposure of the irritated skin: is also extremely effective in helping clear up diaper rash.
  
  
• Application of petroleum jelly: should a rash develop, simple cleansing with water and soft cloths tends to be less irritating to the injured skin than disposable wipes. Frequent application of one of the many diaper area ointments containing petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) provides an effective barrier against skin irritants.
  
  
• Several topical antibiotic ointments: in case there is a bacterial or yeast infection associated with the rash then a pediatrician should be consulted. Topical antibiotic ointments are available for therapy in these situations.
  
  

Protecting your baby from nappy rash

• Change the nappy as soon as you can when it becomes wet or soiled. You may find your young baby needs changing 10 to 12 times a day, and older children at least 6 to 8 times.
  
  
• Clean the whole nappy area thoroughly, wiping from front to back. Use a mild baby soap with plain water, or specially formulated baby lotion or gentle baby wipes. If using soap and water, rinse off the soap and pat dry thoroughly and gently.
  
  
• Lie your baby on a towel and leave the nappy off for as long and as often as you can to let fresh air get to the skin.
  
  
• How about not using disposable diapers?
  
  

Parents often wonder if switching from disposable to cloth diapers will lessen the likelihood of contact type diaper rash. In fact, the opposite seems to be true. The absorbent gel material found in most of today's disposable diapers draws moisture away from the skin area, thus helping to promote a healthy diaper area.

How should an allergic rash be treated?

For an allergic reaction to the fragrances or other components found in disposable diapers or wipes, eliminating the offending agents by using either simple water cleansing of the skin and a switch to another brand of disposable diapers or using cloth diapers instead is usually therapeutic.

Should steroid ointments be used?

The rash in many cases appears very red and serious, but attention to above-mentioned tips (like keeping the baby dry, exposing skin to air) can bring about a rapid relief. However, in some cases a minimally concentrated hydrocortisone cream may be recommended. However, the excessive usage of steroid ointments/creams can cause lot of other sideffects. They should only be used under the guidance of a pediatrician or another physician who is fully familiar with their application to infants.