|
Skin Care › Skin Disorders › Diaper Rash
Diaper Rash - Treatment & Remedies (Pictures)
Alternative names : Napkin dermatitis, Nappy rash
Diaper rash is common in babies. The rash usually isn't serious and can be easily treated. Diaper rash is found on the skin inside your baby's diaper area. The skin looks red and irritated. The rash usually begins between your baby's legs. It may feel warm. It can spread to the stomach area, genitals and skin folds of the upper thighs. If become infected. It may look very bright red with red bumps and blisters. It is most commonly seen in infants between the ages of 9 to 12 months, but may begin within the first 2 months of life.
Causes of Diaper Rash
Common diaper rash is caused by following factors:-
 |
- We all have a natural protective film of oil on our skin. If this oil is removed the skin becomes red, irritated, cracked and inflamed. When a persons skin is exposed to urine or feces for prolonged periods, the natural skin oil is removed causing diaper dermatitis.
- Infection with bacteria and candida yeasts (thrush).
- Plastic pants that fit over diapers raise the temperature and moisture in the diaper area. Heat, moisture and irritated skin make it easier for diaper rash to start and for germs to grow.
|
- Tight fitting diapers or clothing that rubs against the skin can lead to a rash.
- Antibiotics kill bacteria - both bad and good. Without the right balance of good bacteria, however, yeast infections can occur. This can happen when babies take antibiotics or when mothers, who are breast-feeding their infants, are taking antibiotics.
Signs and symptoms of Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is characterized by red, puffy and perhaps slightly warmer skin in the diaper region - buttocks, thighs and genitals. You may notice your baby seems more uncomfortable than usual, especially during diaper changes. A baby with a diaper rash often fusses or cries when the diaper area is washed or touched. ( rashes are shown in the above picture).The symptoms of diaper dermatitis may resemble other skin conditions. always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- INTERTRIGO RASH: Found in the folds of a baby's sensitive skin and caused by repeated exposure to moist heat.
- IRRITATION RASH: Found on the buttocks and generally results from direct contact with stool and urine, soaps, baby wipes, topical treatments, and detergents.
- 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.
Treatment for Diaper Rash
- Keep the diaper area as dry as possible by using absorbent disposable diapers or by frequent changes of conventional diapers. Triple paste is an ointment that can be applied to the diapered area with every diaper change.
- Moisturize dry skin at every nappy change. If the skin feels dry, apply an non-irritating emollient to all affected areas. This can be aqueous cream, a mineral oil or wool fat lotion, zinc and castor oil cream, or another favourite. Dimethicone (Silicone) barrier creams can also help.
- Use disposable nappies if possible. Those containing absorbent hydrocellulose gel are excellent at preventing the urine soaking your baby's skin.
- Lotrimin cream can be used for diaper rash and can be purchased without a prescription. Do not use a medication named Lotrisone, even if given to you by your doctor. This medication can do irreversible harm if applied to the groin area of a child.
Home remedies to cure Diaper Rash
- Place the baby's buttocks near a tap and wash down with running water after every bowel movement to give diaper rash relief.
- Give evening fluids early to reduce wetting at night. Change the baby before you go to bed yourself.
- Calendula reduces inflammation, tightens tissues, and disinfects. It has been recommended for seborrheic dermatitis as well as for general inflammation of the skin. The ointment should be applied at each diaper change.
- Another home remedy is to Dab the area dry rash area with a soft cloth and apply Vaseline ointment or any rash-free creams or gel.
- Chickweed ointment can also be soothing for irritated skin and may be applied once or twice daily, helps to cure diaper rash.
Tips on preventing and treating diaper rash infection
Some simple measures that can be taken to avoid or shorten the duration of diaper rash are:
- Check your baby's diaper often and change it as soon as it's wet or soiled.
- Avoid diapers with elastic bands.
- If your baby gets rashes often, apply a barrier ointment during each diaper change to prevent skin irritation. Petroleum jelly and zinc oxide are the time-proven ingredients included in many prepared diaper ointments. Using these products on clear skin helps keep it in good condition.
- Allow your baby's skin to dry completely before putting on another diaper.
- Limiting the use of soap and other harsh cleaners in the diaper area.
- Don't use a blow dryer to dry your baby's skin. Hot air can cause skin to shrink and crack.
- Boil (sterilize) cloth diapers for 15 minutes after you wash them.
- Allowing the diaper area to air dry at times.
|
|
|
