Diaper Rash

DIAPER RASH is an irritation to the skin of your baby over the area that their diaper covers. The cause is bacteria from excrement and acidity of urine. It is more likely in toddlers who's diapers are changed infrequently giving a longer exposure time of the baby's skin to these caustic agents.

The key to treatment of diaper rash therefore is to keep the nappy area dry and clean. This means frequent diaper changes and drying with a towel and zinc powders. Some mothers use a blow-dryer -set to low - to clear moisture before replacing the diaper. Do not use disposable wipes that have in alcohol as they with further irritate the skin. Allowing periods with no diaper on also promotes healing by air drying the region. With these methods the common diaper rash should resolve by 3 days.

Some Myths about Diaper Rash:

• Cloth diapers are better than disposable. The type of diaper is less important than how often it is changed.
• Detergents used to wash cloth diapers make it worse. This is rare using a standard wash-load of soap powder and is really a form of eczema i.e. an allergy to the soap.

Sometimes, on the baby's nappy area a circular bright red rash develops in the groin creases. This is a yeast/ fungal infection also due to skin not kept dry enough. It also responds to keeping the area dry but will also require an antifungal cream. Daily treatment can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks for full clearing. More about diaper rash.

 

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