Getting to the Bottom of Diaper Rash

If your child is still in diapers, you will probably at one point or another deal with diaper rash. While there are different manifestations of this temporary rash - generally speaking the skin on the baby's bottom will be turned an angry red, may look raw, and sometimes even have the appearance of red spots - it is considered a normal occurrence during infancy and unless the rash is extensive in nature, it will not require the intervention of the pediatrician. The cause of this skin irritation is two-fold: first and foremost is the prolonged contact of the skin with urine or feces and the substances therein which may damage the skin; secondly is the fact that the skin remains moist for an extended period of time with lightly caustic agents.

Children in diapers who sleep through the night are the most likely to exhibit symptoms of diaper rash, simply because the time that a wet diaper may remain close to the skin is much higher than that of an infant who will wake frequently during the night or only sleep for shorter bouts. As a parent, there are several things you can do.

To prevent the occurrence of diaper rash, change your baby's diaper as soon as you notice that it is wet. Do not wait to get home from the mall, a friend's house, or until she wakes up. Instead, leave the house prepared with diaper changing items, or speak soothingly to your child if you are changing a diaper while she is still asleep. Limiting the amount of time that urine or feces touch the child's skin is the number one way of preventing diaper rash.

When changing your child's diaper, be sure to use a baby wipe. The best kind to use is the one that is free of perfumes and alcohol and specifically formulated for sensitive skin. This will prevent any outbreaks of the skin if it is only slightly irritated.

If a child already has developed a diaper rash, there are several over the counter remedies that are available to ease the irritation. Usually they come in the form of thick creams or ointments that need to be applied to the affected area. Follow the directions on the back of the package or tube to minimize the amount of the time the rash will be present. Quite often you will find that the rash may not last longer than just one day.