7 Ideas For Treating Diaper Rash In Babies

Diaper rash is a type of dermatitis that often causes a lot of discomfort in babies. Keeping them as clean and dry as possible is one of the measures to avoid this discomfort. Find out more about how to prevent your baby from having diaper rash.

There are times when disposable diapers can cause diaper rash. Once detected, treatment for diaper rash is essential so that it does not spread and worsen the discomfort.

We know that certain components in diapers to absorb moisture can cause this type of dermatitis and other allergies in babies. These components are acrylic acid, cellulose and chlorine.

What causes diaper rash?

The main cause of diaper rash is dampness. No matter how absorbent a disposable diaper may be, there is always some moisture left. When urine mixes with the bacteria in the stool, ammonia is created, which irritates the baby’s delicate skin.

Diarrhea is also very irritating, especially if it is caused by any of the following:

• Change in the baby’s diet. A new milk formula is introduced or the consumption of solids begins.
• The baby has to take antibiotics or the mother takes them and passes them to the baby through breast milk.
• The teeth are starting to grow.

Friction and allergies to disposable diaper components, reactions to detergents used to wash cloth diapers and baby products like talcum powder and creams also trigger this type of dermatitis.

How to prevent diaper rash?

The best measure to treat diaper rash is prevention. Keeping your baby as clean and dry as possible is essential. You can watch him every two hours to see how he’s doing. Also, if he’s crying, check to see if he’s wet or has something else.

After removing the diaper, it is important to wash and dry the baby’s genitals and bottom thoroughly. Make sure that no moisture remains between the folds of the skin.

Avoid over-tightening the diaper to allow air to circulate. In addition, it is a good option to use a size larger than the size the baby needs so that the skin does not rub against the surface of the disposable diaper. Apply a barrier cream that creates an impermeable layer between the baby’s skin and the diaper.

To avoid irritation, stop using the wet wipes. They are certainly very useful when you are away from home, but leave them only for these times.

When using these towels, remember to dry your baby’s skin before putting on a new diaper. This way, the moisture in the chemicals they contain will not be trapped between his skin and the diaper.

How to treat diaper rash?

If when you take your baby’s diaper off you find the area reddened, swollen, with small pimples and even a little warm: he has dermatitis. The irritation may only affect the genitals and anus or extend to the stomach, buttocks and thighs.

The basic measures to treat diaper rash are:

• Treat the area with great care. When washing and drying the irritated skin, avoid rubbing hard.
• Avoid applying talc or moisturizers for children or adults.
• Make sure your baby spends as much time as possible without wearing a diaper.
• Change the brand of disposable diapers or try eco-friendly diapers.
• In the case of cloth diapers, avoid covering them with plastic clothing. Because they promote the concentration of humidity.
• Place a waterproof protector between the mattress and the sheet, as the baby can sleep without a diaper.
• After cleaning the area, apply breast milk and then allow it to air dry. Breast milk contains antibodies that can cure this irritation.

When to consult a doctor ?

With care and dedication, a diaper rash can be healed without going to the pediatrician. However, you should see your doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Bulbs
• Balls of pus
• Yellowish secretions
• Open wounds

If these symptoms appear, the dermatitis may have been complicated by a fungal infection. In this case, the doctor should prescribe an oral antibiotic for the baby.

Additional care

If your baby has diarrhea for the reasons listed above, you should avoid making the baby’s food more acidic. To do this, avoid giving him dairy products and sugar. Products like yogurt or formula have these two components. Maybe you should put them on hold for a few days.

This also applies to a mother who breastfeeds a baby with diarrhea. The sugar and protein in dairy products that the mother consumes will pass to your baby through the breast. This does not include breast milk. Because its composition is in accordance with the physiology of the baby and will therefore help him stabilize.

And above all, don’t beat yourself up. It is normal for children to have diaper rash, especially when wearing disposable diapers. With your timely care, he will soon overcome this discomfort.

Treating diaper rash: final thoughts

You should know that disposable diapers are very polluting. Although it is not very clear how long it takes to degrade them, it is estimated that it can take between 100 and 300 years. The process of bleaching the cellulose used to make a disposable diaper also releases toxic components into the environment.

In addition, the chemical components used in the manufacture of disposable diapers are not fully known and the impact of these chemicals on the future health of the baby has not been well studied.

Although wearing eco-friendly diapers adds to the workload of baby care, it is imperative to take this into account. Our babies should not have an environmental debt that is not theirs.