Diaper rash, also known as diaper dermatitis, is babies’ most common skin problem. Diaper rash is any rash generally caused by moisture in the diaper region, causing a wet environment that promotes bacterial or yeast growth.
The skin may be red in mild cases, which might clear up within 3 to 4 days with treatment. However, there may be painful, open sores on the skin in severe cases. Though there are treatments for severe cases, the best thing to do is to prevent them.
Diaper dermatitis can also occur in children, mainly in babies between ages 4 and 15 months. Most diaper rash cases are due to wearing a wet diaper for too long, allowing the urine and stool to irritate the skin.
A crucial part of the baby’s treatment and safety is follow-up care. Be sure to book an appointment with a doctor or paediatrician if your baby has diaper rash or other health problems.
Causes
The following can be the causes of diaper rash
- Reaction to diaper material
- Bacteria/yeast infection
- The urine or stool touching the skin for long periods
- Food allergies (reaction to food)
- Too much moisture
Moisture from a soiled diaper can harm your baby’s skin, and when the skin stays wet for too long, it then starts to break down. The result of this is a diaper rash. Oftentimes, diaper rash occurs when;
- Babies have frequent stools, particularly when the stools stay in diapers overnight
- Nursing mothers are taking antibiotics or babies are taking antibiotics
- Babies are unclean and wet
- Babies have diarrhoea
- Babies begin to eat solid foods
How to prevent it
In most cases, parents cannot always determine the cause of their baby’s diaper rash. Therefore, it is reasonable to prevent its manifestation as described below;
- Air the diaper area for 5 to 10 minutes before putting a new diaper on your baby.
- Disposable diapers might be hard to tell when a diaper is wet. If you cannot tell, put a piece of tissue in the diaper to tell when your baby urinates, as the tissue will be wet.
- Wash cloth diapers with mild detergent. Avoid bleaching.
- Change your baby’s diaper immediately if they are wet or dirty. Gently wash the diaper area with warm water before you put a new diaper on your baby, rinse and pat dry.
- Make sure your hands are washed before and after changing each diaper.
Speak to a doctor immediately at Doctall if your baby has persistent blisters, open sores, or scabs in the diaper area.