Diaper rash is reddened, sore and inflamed skin in the diaper area of a baby or toddler. It can be caused by sitting too long in a wet diaper, diarrhea, being overheated while wearing a diaper or an allergy or a new food that is introduced. According to the Mayo Clinic, diaper rash is most common in babies between 8 and 10 months old. While diaper rash can be painful and look ugly, fortunately it is rarely a serious condition. It will usually clear up fairly easily if the proper steps are taken to prevent and treat it.
Step 1
Keep your baby's bottom clean. Change him as soon as you detect any wetness or a bowel movement. Use a wet washcloth to wash his diaper area if he has a rash, as this will be less irritating than commercial baby wipes.
Step 2
Dry your baby thoroughly. Use a soft towel to gently pat her dry, then lay her on a towel or changing pad and allow her skin to air dry naturally. Let her go naked whenever possible to allow the rash to heal without being irritated by a diaper.
Step 3
Apply a diaper cream before putting on a new diaper to keep moisture from penetrating the skin. Examples include zinc oxide, petroleum jelly and A&D ointment. Apply generously and as often as necessary.
Step 4
Wash cloth diapers well, if you are using them. The Mayo Clinic recommends using a detergent with no added fragrance, and putting the diapers through the rinse cycle twice to remove all traces of detergent. Pediatrician Dr. Sears suggests putting a half cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle to reduce alkalinity. Consider using disposable diaper liners in your cloth diapers while your baby has a rash, which can keep your baby more dry and aid in healing.
Step 5
Consider switching disposable diaper brands if your baby is prone to rashes. Some babies are sensitive to certain brands of diapers. Consider using cloth diapers if your baby seems to be sensitive to several different brands of disposable diapers.
Step 6
See your baby's doctor if the rash gets worse or if there is no improvement after a couple of days of home treatment. Some rashes may require an anti-fungal or antibiotic cream.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloths
- Soft towel
- Diaper cream
