Diaper Rash: Causes, Treatments, & Prevention

Suzanne’s perfect baby boy’s little bottom looks like someone ran their fingernails across it. His diaper rash is so bad Suzanne doesn’t know how her baby tolerates wearing a diaper.

If you have ever been in this situation you can appreciate the concern Suzanne feels. Knowing remedies for preventing and treating diaper rash can help you protect your baby from the discomforts from this very common skin condition.

Why Do Diaper Rashes Occur?

Let’s begin by understanding diaper rash and why it occurs. Diaper rash (diaper dermatitis) is an irritation to the area of the body covered by a diaper, causing small bumps and redness. By nature, babies have sensitive skin. Wearing a diaper subjects the skin to urine, feces, and trapped chemicals left behind from wipes. Undoubtedly, this situation will eventually result in irritation and a rash, however, taking certain proactive measures can minimize its appearance.

Preventing Diaper Rash

The best treatment for diaper rashes is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Change your baby’s diaper as soon as you notice that they have gone to the bathroom. Consider using a warm and soft washcloth and gently wiping with water instead of using wipes. Let the area dry completely before applying diaper cream. Applying it when the skin is wet traps the moisture on the skin. Good preventative ointments include Vaseline, Aquaphor, and A & D.

Common Diaper Rash Concerns & Treatments

If the skin is red, apply fragrance-free diaper cream with zinc oxide. There is no need to remove the cream after each diaper change. However, it should be removed at the end of each day.

Fecal matter can wreak havoc on a baby’s skin. If your baby has diarrhea and diaper rash and if they begin developing the signs of an infection, schedule an appointment with their pediatrician.

If your baby is taking antibiotics for an unrelated infection, they have a higher likelihood of developing an overgrowth of candida, resulting in a yeast rash. This rash appears thick with red bumps. If you notice this, schedule an appointment with your baby’s pediatrician. This diaper rash is easily treated with an antifungal cream.

Give your baby time out of the diaper whenever possible. This warm weather provides excellent opportunities for bare bottom backyard playing. Just be mindful of the sun!