How To Prevent And Treat Diaper Rash
Our post today is all about how to prevent and treat diaper rash.
If the diaper rubs against your baby’s skin, it can cause irritating skin irritation. A common condition that can affect any child who wears diapers.
Young children have very sensitive and delicate skin. And many parents find it difficult to prevent and treat diaper rash.
Often this is because it occurs in the genital area, which is almost always covered.
So how can you go about preventing and treating the diaper rash ?
Between 4 and 16 months of age, babies are most susceptible to diaper rash. In many cases this is due to contact with urine or bowel movements. This is especially true when the little ones start eating solid foods. Your bowel movements will then irritate the skin more.
Diarrhea rash or other irritations can occur through contact with the sensitive baby skin. This also applies if parents change diapers immediately.
How to recognize diaper rash
Identifying diaper rash is not difficult. All you have to do is gently feel and watch the area around your child’s bottom.
The area that is most affected is usually on the edge of the diaper. You will see red pimples, a rash, or simply skin irritation in the form of dark pink spots.
While you can treat the diaper rash at home, we still recommend consulting a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist as well.
At the same time, the diaper rash can worsen. This can lead to wounds in advanced cases or when the child scratches.
These in turn can lead to fungal or bacterial infections. In this case, treating the infection is more important than treating the rash.
How to prevent and treat diaper rash
The first step in treating diaper rash is to wash the area with lukewarm water. You should do this every time you change diapers. Make sure to use neutral soap to avoid further irritation.
Avoid using glycerin soaps, as these can affect the pH of baby’s skin.
There are now many cleaning oils and lotions for baby bottoms available in stores, but these should not replace washing with soap and water.
All you have to do is carry your little one to a tap. Then, pick up running water with your hands and gently drop it on the affected area.
The next step is drying. Make sure that you proceed particularly gently here. Use a soft cotton cloth and slowly pat the affected area dry.
The theory then suggests that you leave your baby without a diaper for a while. Because instead of putting on another diaper right away, it is important that your child’s skin can breathe.
However, many parents fear that their baby will pee or have a bowel movement during this time. This is quite understandable.
These “moments of freedom” often ensure that a baby is “relieved”. However, good hygiene should still be a priority.
Once your baby’s skin is dry, you should apply a skin care product to the affected area. This can be a healing cream, oil or ointment .
There are several traditional products here that serve this purpose, including lotions that moisturize the diaper area.
However, it is important to note that these creams often have the opposite effect. Depending on your baby’s skin type, some chemical components, like zinc oxide, can cause even more irritation.
Alternative remedies
A good alternative is to resort to natural products and home remedies to treat the diaper rash.
One of the best home remedies is rice powder, which acts as an anti-inflammatory. Lotions containing marigold or oatmeal will also help relieve irritation and swelling.
While you are bathing, you can put some cloth bags filled with oatmeal in the tub. Another option is to create your own oatmeal compresses. Then simply apply this to the affected area.
The final step in treating diaper rash is making sure your baby’s diapers are not too tight. By tightening it loosely, you guarantee that more air can circulate.
Also, keep in mind that changing a wet or soiled diaper too late is counterproductive . This bad habit will only make your child more likely to have diaper rash.
Breastfeeding mothers have a huge advantage when it comes to treating diaper rash. This allows you to apply some breast milk to the affected area. Breast milk contains various reparative substances that alleviate a number of childhood ailments.
In summary, we can say that the best way to combat diaper rash is to change the diaper regularly and wash the diaper area properly.
You should also find the right product for you and your baby to protect your child’s skin all day long.
With these simple care techniques you too can prevent and treat the next diaper rash and enjoy a happy, radiant and symptom-free baby!