Page 154 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

152 COMMON CONDITIONS: PROBLEMS IN BABIES

Diaper rash

Nearly all babies are affected by diaper rash at some time, usually due to urine and feces irritating the skin
where it is in direct contact with the soiled diaper. Leaving a baby in a wet or soiled diaper for too long can
cause diaper rash, as can a bout of diarrhea. Sometimes the rash is a reaction to new foods in the diet. If
your baby has diaper rash, the diaper area will look red and sore, and your baby may be irritable. If the rash
becomes infected, it may affect the whole diaper area, including the skin creases around the groin. It will
then have a red, glistening appearance with pus-filled pimples and will be extremely sore.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● The diaper rash looks infected or the skin Diaper changing Adopt this diaper
is broken, cracked, or bleeding changing routine while your baby has diaper rash
● Your baby has a fever to help sore skin heal and prevent recurrences.
● When changing the diaper, first wipe away any
feces using a dry tissue or cotton balls, and then
pour or spray warm water over the area and wipe
What you can do yourself again. Dab dry with a soft towel.
● Let your baby kick without a diaper on the
There are several measures you can take to treat changing mat for about 10 minutes to expose his or
diaper rash and prevent infection. Most cases her skin to the air. This helps prevent fungal infections
of diaper rash clear up in 3–4 days. that thrive in dark, damp, warm areas of the body.
● Protect your baby’s skin by applying a barrier
● Change your baby’s diaper often to prevent skin
irritation (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). Newborn cream, such as zinc oxide cream (see DRUG
babies will need a diaper change at every feeding REMEDIES, below) before putting on a fresh diaper.
● Use a gel disposable diaper that draws away
(at least six a day). While your baby has a rash, wetness from your
change the diaper even more frequently.
baby’s skin.
● Don’t use perfumed skin products or baby wipes,
which may contain ingredients that sting sore skin,
or soaps, which remove the natural oils from the
skin, leaving it more prone to dryness and cracking.
● Wash fabric diapers with a nonallergenic laundry
detergent and rinse well.
● If your baby has started solid foods, introduce one Barrier cream
new food at a time to see if anything causes a Apply a thin layer of cream,
bout of diaper rash. being careful to protect the skin
folds around the top of the legs.

Seek further medical advice
DRUG REMEDIES
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● The rash is not clearing up after a week Zinc oxide cream (see p.189) is often used
● The whole diaper area, including the skin as a barrier cream to treat and prevent diaper rash.
creases, becomes affected, or the skin Apply the cream to the diaper area after each wash
becomes red and hot and pus-filled spots form and diaper change.