Diaper Rash: Causes and Solutions
Does your baby’s diaper area look irritated, puffy, and red in colour? If yes, you could be looking at diaper rash. It is commonly caused by friction that develops when the baby's skin gets rubbed against the diaper’s surface. Diaper rash can range from being mild with just a few red spots and can become worse with red bumps and the peeling of the top layer of the baby’s affected skin area.
Reasons for Diaper Rash
Some common factors that lead to diaper rash are:
- Frequent urination and pooping in babies: Baby’s urinate and poop frequently, sometimes after every feed. If the baby’s skin is not wiped dry properly after cleaning the poop or if the diaper remains wet and heavy for prolonged periods, it can cause diaper rashes as the acid in the urine or poop irritates the baby’s delicate skin.
- Friction: Your baby’s skin is much more delicate than yours. Any continuous abrasions with the diaper are likely to stress your baby’s skin leading to rashes.
- Diaper fit: If the diaper is too tight or if it the material of diaper doesn’t suit your baby’s skin, it can lead to rashes.
- Prolonged wetness: If the baby is left in soiled diapers and nappies for a long time it leaves little room for air circulation, reducing breathability of the skin. As a result, there could be redness, inflammation, and in worst cases, even blisters.
- Skin allergies: A baby’s delicate skin could be allergic to any of the products being used - wipes, detergent, baby soap or the material of the diapers. Make sure to use only 100% chemical free, safe baby products on delicate baby skin.
- Bacterial or Yeast infection: Bacteria and yeast thrive in warm, moist areas, making the baby’s diaper area the perfect location for an infection. The fold’s of a baby’s skin is especially vulnerable to rashes caused by bacterial or yeast infection.
- Unclean or improperly washed nappies: In case you use home-made cloth nappies, ensure that they are washed in warm water, with a baby-friendly detergent. Also ensure they are completely dry, preferably air dried in the sun as any moisture or traces of poop can cause diaper rashes.
- Chemically filled wet wipes: Many brands in the market have chemical filled fragrances in them. When you wipe your child’s bottom with that, the chemicals get absorbed in the baby’s skin and can cause rashes.
Tips to get rid of diaper rashes
Follow these simple tips that can help you treat diaper rashes:#1. Wash with water
It is better to wash rash prone skin with water and pat dry with a cloth. In case you use wipes, make sure to use water based wet types that are toxin-free, hypoallergenic, and enriched with natural ingredients such as aloe vera.#2. Dry diaper area completely
Prolonged exposure to moisture is one of the major causes of diaper rashes. Ensure that the baby’s diaper area is completely dry between diaper changes. Leave the baby uncovered to air-dry after washing him and before putting on a new diaper.
#3. Use Coconut oil regularly
Coconut oil is best for baby’s skin. You can apply coconut oil regularly after cleaning your baby’s bottom to prevent rashes from happening in the first place.#4. Change diapers frequently
Changing the diapers at regular intervals is a must if your baby is suffering from diaper rashes. Strictly follow the timelines and change the diapers after every few hours.#5. Use natural products
Instead of using chemical and fragrance based wet wipes try switching to water-based wet wipes that are milder on your child’s skin.
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