How to Treat Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is an irritation of the skin due to prolonged wetness in the genital area. Diaper rash occurs when wetness becomes confined inside the diaper and is left in contact with the babie's skin for an extensive amount of time. Diaper rash is very common in children who have just started solid food, who are on antibiotics, who have sensitive skin, or who experience consistent chafing and rubbing (with diaper or clothes.) Diaper rash can be painful, and can spread if it is left untreated. Diaper rash can be easily treated.

How Does diaper rash Look?

You'll know if your baby has diaper rash if his or her skin appears very red, or even raw, in some instances, babies will have pimple like blisters on their skin. The babie's private area may also become very tender and painful to touch, so be very gentle when wiping the area.

How to Treat Diaper Rash?

Purchase a diaper rash ointment such as Balmex, or Baby Vaseline , which have both worked extremely well in treating my baby's diaper rash. First wash your hands, clean the diaper area with water or non- fragrant wipes, then make sure the babies' diaper area is thoroughly dried then, place a considerable amount of cream onto your hands and gently spread the cream onto the babies genital area and buttocks, (and thighs, if the rash has spread that far), be sure to use the cream externally. Diaper rash ointment reduces wetness on the babies' genital area by creating a protective barrier against wetness. Be sure to apply the ointment after every diaper change. Changes can be seen within a few hours, but it may take up to 3 days or more to completely heal the diaper rash, depending on the severity of the babies' diaper rash. If the diaper rash persists for more than 7 days you may want to have the baby's diaper area checked by a doctor. Open air in the diaper area will also speed up the healing process for the diaper rash, this worked great for my daughter, I let my daughter roam without a diaper, everyday for a half an hour until the rash was completely healed.

Widely- Used Diaper Rash ointments

Baby Vaseline

Balmex

Desitin

A&D

Widely-Used Diapers

Pampers

Huggies

How TO Prevent Diaper Rash

Frequently change soiled diapers- the longer the baby is exposed to wetness the more prone he/she is to getting a rash.

Avoid wipes containing fragrance

Wash your babies' diaper area during every change to thoroughly clean the area, ridding it of bacteria

Wash your hands before (and after) changing your babies diapers to prevent spread of bacteria onto your babies' skin.

Let your baby's private area get a little fresh air

Use diaper rash ointment as a part of diaper changing

Thoroughly dry your babies' private area and bottom after every wash and change

Take note of the diaper brand and wipe brand that you are using for your child, certain brands might also cause an irritation of your baby's diaper area.

If your baby seems to break out frequently and his or her diaper is not wet then it may be the diaper or wipe that you are using.

Feces will irritate your babies' skin more than urine (this is the case for my baby)