Diaper rash is common in babies and toddlers. It’s not something to worry about too much. But it can be extremely difficult to see your little one suffering from a diaper rash, especially if you try everything under the sun to cure it but it just won’t go. In this article, I’m going to tell you what causes a diaper rash, how to prevent a diaper rash and how to treat it if it occurs.
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What’s a diaper rash?
Diaper rash is an inflammation of the skin around the area of a baby’s bum. It can be mild and appear as red skin or it can be severe and it can cause bleeding.
What’s the main cause of diaper rash
Diaper rashes can appear for several different reasons.
- Urine and stool mix
When urine and stool mix together and the baby sits for a long period of time on his dirty nappy. this can cause an inflammation of the skin around that area. Usually, the inflammation is mild and can disappear quickly after a day or two. You’ll need to change the nappy more frequently to prevent further inflammation of the skin.
- Food allergies
One way to identify a food allergy in babies is by seeing a reaction in their bums. Once the baby urinates or poops, the allergens will react with the skin leaving it inflamed and in some cases bleeding. You need to keep a record of what your baby has eaten during that day and the day before. That way, you can identify the food that has caused the allergic reaction.
- Acidic fruits
Fruits such as strawberries and oranges can cause a mild diaper rash due to their high acidic components. If a reaction occurs then apply some diaper cream and cut down the fruit that has caused the diaper rash.
- Diapers
A diaper can make your baby’s bum dry due to its absorbance factors. It can strip natural skin oils and leave the skin vulnerable to skin inflammation. One way to prevent this from happening is by moisturizing the area every so often with some diaper cream.
- Teething
Although teething is not considered a direct cause of diaper rash, it can be a factor because of how the body reacts to teething. Some babies react differently to teething than others. They can get a high temperature that can cause diarrhoea. When that happens, a diaper rash may occur.
- Products allergy
Many products can cause allergies in your baby. These include scented baby wipes, body washes, diapers and scented lotions. Avoid anything that’s scented when buying baby products and opt-in for very sensitive natural ones.
How to prevent a diaper rash
Frequently change your baby’s diaper and keep an eye on food allergies that can cause the diaper rash.
What can be mistaken for diaper rash
Although diaper rash can easily be detected, other types of skin conditions may be similar to it. Such as a yeast infection.
What do diaper rashes look like?
Mild diaper rash makes the skin look inflamed and red and in severe cases, the diaper rash will look raw and bumpy and it can cause bleeding if it’s not treated properly.
Is a bath good for diaper rash?
Giving your baby a bath frequently can ease the symptoms and the severity of the diaper rash and it can also speed up the healing process. Don’t use hot water as this can be quite painful for your baby. Lukewarm bathwater is great.
Is Vaseline good for diaper rash?
Vaseline is a great solution to help with diaper rash. It forms a layer of oil above the skin and that can help lock the moisture and keep the skin hydrated.
How do you get rid of diaper rash quickly in 24 hours?
In mild cases, a diaper rash may clear within a day with the help of baths, diaper-free time and diaper cream. But in severe cases, this can be a bit of a challenge. You can speed up the healing process by implementing some good hygiene strategies and by detecting the cause of the diaper rash. Keep your baby out of diapers for longer and give him longer baths. Use diaper cream every time you change him and make sure you change the diaper as soon as he pees or poops.
Is diaper rash painful for babies?
Mild diaper rashes aren’t painful. However, diaper rashes that are raw and severe can cause so much pain and discomfort. Your baby may cry a lot and have sleeping difficulty. What you need to do is to keep the area moisturised with diaper cream to prevent itching.
Symptoms of diaper rash
Diaper rash is quite obvious to detect. The bum will turn red in mild cases and it will become raw or even bleed in severe cases.
How can I treat my baby’s diaper rash naturally?
There are several different ways you can treat diaper rash naturally. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Breast milk
Yes, the magic liquid. Breast milk can help soothe and treat diaper rash naturally. Just apply a few drops onto your baby’s cleaned bum and massage the milk until the skin completely absorbs it.
- Nappy free time
This is the greatest way to treat a diaper rash naturally and speed up the healing process. You can wrap your baby in a towel to minimize the mess or if your baby is older and can move around then he needs to wear underwear or pants/trousers to help contain the mess.
- Oatmeal baths
Oatmeal has great components that can soothe and heal the skin faster. Just make sure your baby doesn’t sit on it for long periods of time, since it can dry out quickly and stick to your baby’s bum, which can be harsh to wipe away or wash.
- Regular baths
Give your baby baths more frequently as this will help keep the area clean which’s going to minimize the bacteria that causes the diaper rash and help the skin heal faster.
- Aloe Vera gel
Aloe Vera gel is another natural remedy for soothing wounds and moisturizing the skin. Apply a thin layer and gently massage the affected area.
How long do diaper rashes last
If treated properly, a diaper rash can last for a day or two in mild cases and can last for up to a week in severe cases.
When should I be concerned about diaper rash?
Diaper rashes are quite common in babies and they’re not usually something to worry about. However, if it doesn’t clear out in a week or if it only seems to get worse although you do all the necessary treatments, then you should definitely seek professional medical help from your doctor or pharmacist. Because there may be some underlying issues that are causing the diaper rash.
Is baby powder good for diaper rash?
Baby powder can dry out the wounds but in general, baby powder is not something I would recommend using at all. Your baby can inhale the powder which can be poisonous. In fact, paediatrics advises against using baby powder.
Which cream is best for diaper rash
There are several brands that claim to treat diaper rash. the one that I used and I highly recommend is Sudocrem, it’s effective and it stays on top of the skin which can act as a barrier between the diaper and the skin.
Please note: happily a mama and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
