Diaper Rash

By Super Admin

You must have planned and imagined a lot for your baby's protection or comfort. You can bestow anything that comes in your availability for your baby's happiness. There is no wonder that you adorned your baby with the most branded diapers to protect her/him from sleepless nights due to the wet feeling. However your peace mind gets spoiled when your baby gets red rashes, scaling, pimples, blisters and other sores all over the diaper area and never allows you to take the diaper around them.

Diaper rash or nappy rash is a generic term applied to skin rashes in the diaper area. The diaper rashes may be caused due to many reasons. The most common cause for diaper rash is the exposition of the diaper area to wetness for a prolonged time. The increased skin pH caused by urine and feces will result in the breakdown of the outermost layer of the skin. Your baby's diaper rash may also be the result of irritaion caused by the soap used to wash cloth diapers, or by some brands of disposable diapers or baby wipes. Plastic pants that fit over diapers may raise the temperature and moisture in the diaper area. Heat, moisture, and irritated skin will stimulate the diaper rash and the growth of germs.

There are some cautious steps that will prevent the diaper rashes on your baby. The most essential step is to change your baby's diaper within three hours. You must keep your baby's diaper area clean, cool and dry. The increased skin pH of your baby is directly connected with her/his diet. It has been medically proved that breast fed babies have lower incidence of diaper rashes. Always check for the instance of irritation when you put your baby's diaper. You must allow your baby's skin to dry completely before putting on another diaper. You can also use products that contain zinc oxide ointment (such as Desitin Ointment) or petrolatum (such as Vaseline) to protect your baby's skin from moisture.

Once you detect instances of diaper rashes on your baby, immediately consult with a pediatrician. You must change the type of wipes, diapers or soap you're using. The most effective treatment, is to discontinue use of diapers, allowing the affected skin to air out. You can use oil-based protectants as petroleum jelly, shark liver oil, cod liver oil, zinc oxide based ointments, anti-fungal cremes and low concentration hydrocortisone creams as diaper creams to treat the diaper rashes. If the rash persists despite prescription treatment, your doctor may recommend that your baby see a dermatologist. While your baby has a diaper rash, avoid washing the affected area with soaps and disposable, scented wipes.

Your baby's future and health is in your hands. Ensure them a healthy life with these simple steps.