What Is Diaper Rash And How To Get Rid Of It?

diaper rash

What Is Diaper Rash?

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Diaper Rash/Diaper Dermatitis is a sore, red, and scaly patch on a baby’s genital area. Long gaps between nappy changes and fewer nappy changes during the day can cause a diaper rash. These rashes feel itchy and irritate a baby’s skin. It is mildly uncomfortable for a baby. However, the rash isn’t so painful but the baby will react when stool or urine touched the rash. Rashes are more likely seen in babies with sensitive skin. It is a very common infection that indeed causes a baby’s skin to become sore and scaly. Diaper rash develops in a moist and warm environment.

Signs And Symptoms Of Diaper Rash

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Some of the major signs and symptoms of diaper rash are as follows:

  • Bumps on the buttocks
  • Redness on bumps and thigh area.
  • Scaly patches on the baby’s soft skin.
  • Blister/Sores on the skin area which is irritable and red all the time.

Its Time To See Pediatrician

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Keep in mind natural remedies can work on only mild diaper rash. If this diaper rash is left untreated for long. It can get infected which will cause open sores, boils on the skin. The severe form can cause pus-like secretion to form the boils developed. If your baby is having a fever, feels irritated, and not eating properly. It can be due to an infected diaper rash. If the sores are bleeding or oozes out. The baby is feeling pain and uneasiness while passing urine and poop. It is always advised to consult a pediatrician if the rash is infected.

Causes of Diaper Rash

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Various factors can cause diaper rashes:

Bacteria Exposure Or Fungal Infection

When your baby’s skin is exposed to certain bacteria, it causes infection. You will notice this infection in the form of a rash. You can see the rashes within the creases of skin as red dots.

Chafing

The rubbing of diapers against the skin also causes diaper rash. If the diapers are tight-fitter or uncomfortable, it can cause rubbing/chafing.

Sensitive Skin More Prone To Diaper Rash

Diaper rash can be seen more evidently in babies who have sensitive skin. This is because their skin type is more vulnerable to bacterial exposure. 

The Closed And Moist Environment

If a baby’s diaper remains unchanged for a long period, it can cause a rash. The closed environment can increase moisture. In such an environment, the possibility of rashes increases. If the skin is exposed to urine or moisture for long, the rash can be quite severe.

Using Unsuitable Product Leads To Diaper Rash

Using a diaper that doesn’t suit the baby’s skin type also causes a Diaper rash. The new product might react with the skin and cause rashes. Even the use of baby creams, powders, or lotions can cause a rash.

Introducing Solid Foods

This is the major milestone in baby’s growth and development criteria. When parents introduce solids to babies it causes changes in their routine as well as the digestive system. Their frequency of bowel movements is changed. Babies prone to sensitivity develop diaper rash.

Other Causes:

  • Infant skin is allergic to the diaper material used
  • Skin issues with the detergent used to wash cloth diapers.
  • Babies are kept in dirty diapers for a long duration. For example, a Diaper filled with poop kept long will cause a diaper rash.
  • Diarrhea can be another major cause. Due to diarrhea, there are too frequent stools that can be watery with some sought of infection that can cause severe rashes.

How to Prevent Diaper Rashes?

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  • Keep changing the baby’s diaper from time to time. Changing the diaper often helps the baby’s skin to retain moisture. So keep your baby clean and dry by changing the diaper frequently.
  • Rinse your baby’s bottom with lukewarm water while changing the diaper. Avoid using tightly fitted diapers. Select the diapers according to your baby’s size. Also, make sure that the product suits your baby’s skin.
  • While putting the diaper on your baby, make sure it’s put up correctly and not very tightly. This avoids rubbing and chafing of the baby’s skin with the diaper.
  • Use diaper rash cream after every diaper change if your baby’s skin is too sensitive. This will avoid direct bacterial exposure thereby preventing a rash.
  • Allow sufficient time to dry during the diaper changing process. This will avoid the development of a moist and warm environment.

Natural Remedies To Treat Diaper Rash

Natural ways to cure diaper rash
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Home-Made Diaper Rash Ointment

Mothers can always make a homemade diaper rash cream or oil instead of buying one from the chemist. Shea butter is a good ingredient for a homemade rash cream. It gives you a self-made natural diaper rash cream. Hence, use it every time before you change your baby’s diaper.

Using Browned Flour

It is all-purpose flour, just cook the flour on a medium flame, and best to treat diaper rash. Once it turns to sandy brown. Let it cool down and fill it in a container. Apply it to the rash. Use it according to the severity of the rash. It is very helpful in removing the rash.

Using Oatmeal

Using oatmeal is also an amazing way to treat rashes. It gives relief in the pain and irritation. Take a spoonful of oatmeal and mix it with water. It’s better to draw an oatmeal bath and let your baby sit in it for a few minutes. After this, let your baby’s skin dry. Avoid rubbing.

Yogurt

Applying a layer of yogurt to the affected area can also be a natural remedy. However, it’s a substitute for rash cream. 

Cornstarch

Dry skin prevents rashes. Cornstarch is a good moisture absorber. Therefore, you can use it to dry up the baby’s skin after diaper use. Apply a bit of cornstarch in the moist area and clean the area after the skin feels dry. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a good antibacterial agent. Applying it prevents bacterial exposure of the sensitive skin. Mixing it with the bathwater or directly applying it to the rash are both useful ways of treating a rash with it.

Breast Milk

Breast milk contains antibodies. These antibodies fight diseases without inflammation. A few drops of breast milk, if directly applied to the rash, help in treating the diaper rash.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Mothers can apply coconut oil to the affected areas after cleaning and drying the baby’s skin. This is a very effective way to treat a rash.

Olive Oil

Using olive oil is a very common ingredient in most skincare products. This makes it perfect for treating a rash. It is a natural oil and hence, it helps in clearing the red patch of rash on your baby’s skin.

Aloe Vera

The gel extracted from aloe vera leaves is very soothing for the skin. Apply it directly to the rash. So it helps with irritation and itching. It is most effective if you take it out directly from an aloe vera plant leaf. However, you can use alternatives available in the market.

Conclusion

The Diaper Rash is very common in babies even though you take full care and precautions. It is advised to seek medical attention if the rash looks severe and infected. Natural remedies take time to heal a rash but work if the rash is mild. However, in the case of severe rashes, you must not wait for the course of a natural remedy. I would love to hear in your comments friends How do you deal with your baby’s diaper rash and your personal experience?

The article written by me is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice. The reader should always consult a Medical practitioner concerning any medical condition.

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