Diaper rash: All a mother needs to know

Thirty-year-old mother of six-months-old Divine (not his real name) was fed up. The rash on her baby’s buttocks was spreading rapidly and causing the little boy so much agony. “Night time is war,” the frustrated mother began. “I am unable to get a wink of sleep because my baby cries all night. It has been so difficult managing this diaper rash. I never knew it could cause so much pain,” she lamented.

This mother is not alone as mothers generally; contend with the same situation, some experiences are worse than others, however.

Diaper rash is a very common problem, paeditricians say.  It is caused by irritation in the diaper area and can be very uncomfortable for your baby, experts say. According to experts, diaper rash usually improves with simple treatments, but it sometimes can be difficult to get rid of. The irritated skin can become infected, most often with Candida yeast. If a yeast infection occurs, specific treatment is needed.

What is diaper rash?

Diaper rash is caused by irritation of the skin in the diaper area. According to paediatricians, it is sometimes called “diaper dermatitis.” “The skin becomes red and sore. The rash can get worse if it isn’t taken care of properly, and it can become quite painful for your baby. Infection can occur, including infection with the yeast Candida. In most cases, diaper rash gets better if you keep the area as clean as possible, including frequent diaper changes, and apply an ointment to protect the skin,” experts advice.

What it looks like?

According to experts, the skin in the diaper area looks red and scaly, sometimes with scattered small bumps. You may notice small cracks, rubbed areas, thickening or raw areas of the skin. The rash can be painful, causing fussiness and crying in your infant. If yeast infection occurs, the rash may become very red with well-outlined borders. Scattered bumps or pimples may appear in the skin near the borders. The rash may spread to cover the entire diaper area or beyond.

Causes of diaper rash 

Diaper rash is caused by irritation of the skin. The most important factor is the length of time the skin stays wet and in contact with urine and stool (bowel movements). Other irritants can also contribute to a rash in the diaper area, such as soaps and baby products. The rash may become infected with germs, such as Candida yeast. Warmth and wetness inside the diaper encourage germs to grow. Every baby’s skin is different; some babies just get diaper rash more often than others. Changing diapers frequently can help to prevent diaper rash.

Some possible complications of diaper rash

According to paediatricians, serious complications are rare. However, diaper rash can be painful for your baby, interfering with sleep and play time. Yeast infection may occur. Though this causes a red and well-outlined rash, it is usually easy to treat.   Diaper rash may become severe, with very raw sores that may take a couple weeks to heal.   Some babies have repeated problems with diaper rash. Even with treatment, the rash seems to keep coming back.

A baby’s risk of diaper rash can be increased by going too long between diaper changes and or using soaps or other products that irritate the skin.

Can diaper rash be prevented?

Frequent diaper changes, careful cleaning of the area, routinely using a protective ointment (like Vaseline), and avoiding soaps or other skin irritants may help prevent these rashes. How is diaper rash treated? Change your baby’s diaper as soon as possible every time it’s wet or dirty. Clean the area carefully. A clean cloth or towel with fresh water is best for cleaning; avoid using diaper wipes containing perfumes or alcohol. Be sure to clean all parts of your baby’s genitals. Clean inside the deep folds in the diaper area. Super-absorbent disposable diapers help keep urine and stool away from the skin. Apply a diaper rash ointment such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or products containing zinc oxide.

These products can help keep moisture away from the skin. Put on a light layer right after cleaning and drying the diaper area. If the rash takes a long time to heal or is severe, it may be a good idea to visit your doctor. He or she can check to see if the rash has become infected with yeast (Candida) or other germs or if some other type of skin condition is present.

If yeast infection occurs, a prescription ointment will be recommended. Apply to the rash with each diaper change (four times per day) for about a week. For a more severe rash, a weak hydrocortisone cream may be recommended. Apply a few times per day for a few days. Even with treatment, some babies have repeated problems with diaper rash. The same is true for diaper rash with infection, especially with Candida. However, diaper rash rarely causes serious problems.   If your child is having frequent and/or severe diaper rash, you may have to call the doctor. The doctor may want to perform tests to see if there is some other problem that is causing the skin irritation.

When you should see the doctor

A mother should visit a paediatrician if one or some of the following occurs, experts admonish.

• the rash hasn’t improved after 3-4 days, even when you use the treatment steps suggested above
• blisters, crusts or pimples appear
• your child’s upset and not sleeping
• your child has an unexplained fever
• the rash is spreading
• if male, the end of the baby boy’s penis is red and swollen or has a scab on it.

Some home remedies for diaper rash

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is one of the most widely used home remedies for diaper rash thanks to its antifungal, antimicrobial properties. It can be added to the baby’s bath water or used as a moisturizer to heal and soothe the baby’s skin. It is also great for everyday use.

Breast Milk

Breast milk is a baby’s best defense and can be used to treat diaper rash as well. You can squirt a little breast milk onto the affected area and then let it air dry before putting on the next diaper. It can be used frozen or squirted directly from your breasts.

Baking Soda

Another effective remedy is baking soda baths which can be prepared by putting two tablespoons of baking soda into a bath tub and letting the baby sit in the water for about ten minutes. Alternatively, you can dissolve them in a few cups of water and use it to wash the baby’s bottom before each diaper change the pat the area dry.

Shea Butter

Another excellent remedy is Shea butter which has been used for various skin problems for centuries with excellent results. Its antifungal properties reduce the inflammation caused by the rash and helps with the healing process.

Plain Yoghurt

Using plain yoghurt also helps heal diaper rashes quickly. Natural plain yoghurt is the best kind and should be applied to the baby’s bum during each change until the rash clears up. Make sure that the yoghurt you use contains no sugar.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is also an excellent choice for quick relief. Add a tablespoon of dry oatmeal to a warm bath and let the baby soak for 15 minutes thrice each day until the rash disappears.

 

Additional information from nelsonpatientinstructions.com