What is a diaper rash?
A diaper rash is any rash on the skin area covered by a
diaper. Almost every child gets diaper rashes. Most of them are due to
prolonged contact with moisture, bacteria, and ammonia. The ammonia and other
skin irritants are made by the reaction of bacteria from bowel movements to
certain chemicals in the urine. Bouts of diarrhea cause rashes in most
children. Diaper rashes occur less frequently with disposable diapers.
How long will it last?
With proper treatment these rashes are usually better in 3
days. If the rash does not improve with treatment, then your child probably
has a yeast infection (Candida). If your child has a yeast infection, then the
rash becomes bright red and raw, covers a large area, and is surrounded by red
dots. You will need a special cream for yeast infections.
How can I take care of my
child?
- Change diapers frequently
The key to successful treatment is keeping the area dry and
clean so it can heal itself. Check the diapers about every hour, and if they
are wet or soiled, change them immediately. Exposure to stools causes most
of the skin damage. Make sure that your baby's bottom is completely dry
before closing up the fresh diaper.
- Increase air exposure
Leave your baby's bottom exposed to the air as much as
possible each day. Practical times are during naps or after bowel movements.
Put a towel or diaper under your baby. When the diaper is on, fasten it
loosely so that air can circulate between it and the skin. Avoid airtight
plastic pants for a few days. If you use disposable diapers, punch holes in
them to let air in.
- Rinse the skin with warm water
Washing the skin with soap after every diaper change will
damage the skin. Use a mild soap (like Dove) only after bowel movements. The
soap will remove the film of bacteria left on the skin. After using a soap,
rinse well. If the diaper rash is quite raw, use warm water soaks for 15
minutes three times a day.
- Nighttime care
At night use the new disposable diapers that are made with
materials that lock wetness inside the diaper and away from the skin. Avoid
plastic pants at night. Until the rash is better, awaken your baby once
during the night to change the diaper.
- Creams and ointments
Most babies don't need any diaper cream. However, if your
baby's skin is dry and cracked, apply an ointment to protect the skin after
you wash off each bowel movement. A barrier ointment is also needed whenever
your child has diarrhea.
Cornstarch reduces friction and can be used to prevent
future diaper rashes after this one is healed. Recent studies showed that
cornstarch does not encourage yeast infections. Avoid talcum powder because
of the risk of pneumonia if your baby inhales it.
- Yeast infections
If the rash is bright red or does not start getting better
after 3 days of warm water cleaning and air exposure, your child probably
has a yeast infection. Apply Lotrimin cream (no prescription necessary) four
times a day or after each bottom rinse for BMs.
How can I prevent diaper rash?
Changing the diaper immediately after your child has a bowel
movement and rinsing the skin with warm water are the most effective things
you can do to prevent diaper rash.
If you use cloth diapers and wash them yourself, you will need
to use bleach (such as Clorox, Borax, or Purex) to sterilize them. During the
regular cycle, use any detergent. Then refill the washer with warm water, add
1 cup of bleach, and run a second cycle. Unlike bleach, vinegar is not
effective in killing germs.
When should I call my child's
health care provider?
Call IMMEDIATELY if:
- The rash looks infected (pimples, blisters, boils, sores).
- Your child starts acting very sick.
Call within 24 hours if:
- The rash isn't much better in 3 days.
- The diaper rash becomes bright red or raw.
- You have other concerns or questions.
