Sleepless nights are painful for a new mom, but do you know what tears her the most? Seeing her baby uncomfortable and crying in pain. Diaper rash is a common problem that leads to red rashes and inflammation in the diaper area. It is often related to either wet or infrequently changed diapers or excessive sensitivity of the skin. Babies who wear diapers through the day are more susceptible to a rash. Read on to know how to treat diaper rash.
What are the symptoms of a diaper rash?
The primary skin signs of a diaper rash are tender, highly sore looking skin in the diaper area – buttocks, thighs, and genitals. You might notice that your baby is in pain and is more uncomfortable than usual, especially during diaper changes. Your baby will also be fussy and crying whenever the diaper area is touched or washed.
In this condition, changing the baby’s diaper is very taxing and the discomfort continues all through the day. Sometimes the rash gets severe and, in addition to the bottom, spreads to the thighs, and the back of the baby.
You must consult a doctor if your baby’s skin doesn’t improve after a few days. At times, the baby requires prescribed medication for diaper rash treatment.
What is causing my baby diaper rash?
Diaper rashes develop due to a variety of reasons.
- Infrequent change in diapers is one of the common reasons for diaper rash. Prolonged exposure to stool or urine can irritate baby’s sensitive skin.
- Breastfeeding mom’s diet or antibiotics could be the culprit.
- The baby could be sensitive to some ingredients in baby care products and even to the diaper that you make him wear. Chemical irritants in a diaper could lead to rashes. It’s best to use skin-friendly products that are completely natural and do not lead to allergies & irritation.
- Tight diapers and scented wipes are a big no.
- Make sure you check the labels of your fabric wash and softeners to see if the ingredients are suitable for your baby’s skin.
- There can be several other factors like clothes or wipes that might be causing the infection, or the lack of hygiene in the baby’s diaper region. Do keep changing diapers frequently to prevent any kind of diaper rash.
- Introduction of solid foods may also lead to diaper rash.
How to treat diaper rash ?
Here are a few tips to get rid of rashes in the diaper region fast.
Air your baby’s bottom
Yes, if the rash is severe, air the baby’s bottom from time to time. Wrap a light towel around your baby’s hip in case, he pees on you. Extend your baby’s bath time; play with him, so that you can keep him away from the diaper. The lesser time your baby is in the diaper, the faster the rashes will heal.
Use a diaper rash cream
Every time you change your baby’s diaper, do smear some baby rash cream to prevent and treat the diaper rash. Pick a diaper rash cream that is natural, organic, and free of chemicals. Chemicals are unwanted elements that could further aggravate the skin allergy and make the condition severe. Look for natural diaper rash cream that have a good amount of Zinc Oxide and oils that can help heal and soothe the rash prone area.
Wash your baby’s bottom with water
As soon as you see the pesky rashes emerging, discontinue the use of wipes. The wipes could contain ingredients that further irritate the sensitive skin and even lead to bleeding. Use cotton pads soaked in warm water to wipe the bum area, and then pat dry with a soft towel.
Breastfeeding works wonders
Mother’s milk is the purest form of nutrition that you can give your baby. The chances of developing rashes are very less until the time you feed your baby as there is no intake of outside foods that could give rise to infections. Additionally, you can even smear a few drops of the breast milk on the infected area to soothe the baby’s rash.
From changing diaper brands to switching diaper rash creams, we moms do everything to treat the rash. Diaper rash is a common issue with babies but if you follow the above tips, your baby will soon be free from the irritation and inflammation. And you, my friend, will surely find some relief! If symptoms persist even after following the above-given tips, or the rashes start spreading to the other parts of the body, it’s time to consult your health expert.
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