How to Get Rid of Diaper Rash

The expression “as smooth as a baby's behind” is often used to describe something that is soft, supple, and generally smooth. The expression lends itself to the fact that most babies' skin is blemish-free and clean. When a baby gets a diaper rash, however, the expression gets thrown out of the proverbial window.

In adults, the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, has 25 to 30 layers of flattened dead cells, a part of the epidermis called keratinocyte. The keratinocytes are continuously shed and replaced from the stratum corneum. Interlaid with lipids coming from another layer of the skin, the stratum granulosum, the keratinocytes make the stratum corneum a waterproof barrier. It is the stratum corneum's primary function to reduce water loss in the skin, repel water, protect the other layers, and repel any microbial threats to the skin. In babies, however, this layer is thin and more vulnerable to disruption. Outside factors like increased skin pH imbalance due to urine and waste and prolonged exposure to wetness all contribute to the breakdown of the stratum corneum, inducing the skin irritation that is commonly known as diaper rash.

Causes of Diaper Rash

Most infants get it at one time or another. Rashes often develop when the baby's vulnerable skin is exposed to prolonged wetness due to infrequently changed diapers, chafing, waste, and the use of plastic pants covering the baby's diapers. Skin disorders like seborrheic dermatitis or eczema are also likely causes of diaper rash. The rash may also become more common after the baby has started ingesting solid foods or when the breast-feeding mom eats certain foods (which are then passed on to the baby), or even when the baby is taking some form of antibiotics. Once the rash develops, it can be exacerbated by the application of certain chemicals present in commercial baby wipes.

Bacterial or fungal infections are also likely causes of the rash, stemming from a simple skin infection that has spread to the surroundings areas. Since the area that is covered by the diaper tends to be much more moist and warm, it is a very good breeding ground for these bacteria and fungi (most commonly, yeast).

Signs that your baby has a diaper rash include discomfort on the part of your baby, and the presence of red, puffy skin on the nether regions covered by the diaper, namely the thighs, buttocks, and the genital area. Often, a baby suffering from diaper rash will begin to cry or get fussy when you wash or touch the diaper area.

Diaper Rash Treatment

As a parent, it is your job to make sure that your baby is as comfortable as possible. The good news is that diaper rash is very treatable and can be cured in about a day or two, even without having to get your baby to the doctor.

Use diaper rash cream. Soothing creams like petroleum jelly or ointments containing zinc oxide are very common medications for diaper rash. There are also diaper rash sprays you can buy over the counter. Usually, sprays are a combination of zinc oxide and natural oil that helps soothe your baby's discomfort. For better results, use these applications every time you change your baby's diaper.

Change the diapers regularly. A major cause of diaper rash is the prolonging of wet or soiled diapers. Urine and waste by themselves already do much to irritate your baby's skin, but combined, they form a lethal tag-team of irritants. The urea in urine breaks down in the presence of urease, present in fecal matter, increasing the baby's skin pH. The increase promotes fecal enzyme (like lipase and protease) activities that, in turn, increase the skin's susceptibility to bile salts that act as irritants themselves. Be sure to change your baby's diaper each and every time it gets soiled, even if is as often as two or more times every hour.

Provide proper ventilation and airing. Proper airflow is important to aid the healing process of the rash and to prevent sweating in the diaper area. You can accomplish this by having your baby go without diapers for a short period of time. When you put a diaper on your baby, be sure that it is not too tight. Don't use any plastic or tight-fitting covers; plastic does not allow proper ventilation and breathing in the diaper area, promoting sweating and trapping moisture, thereby increasing the chances of bacterial and fungal growth. During the duration of the rash, you can also have the baby wear larger-sized diapers for ventilation.

Avoid perfume or alcohol when cleaning your baby's skin. A baby's skin is very sensitive and fragile. It still does not have the many layers of dermal protection that adults have. Perfumes contain chemicals and ingredients that may irritate the baby's skin, exacerbating the rash. Alcohol can also be too strong against your baby's mild skin. Try to use natural oils or baby oil instead, as they are designed specifically for babies' skin composition.

Use washcloths to wipe your baby instead of commercial wipes. A clean washcloth and water are still the best methods for wiping your baby. Commercial baby wipes can contain ingredients that may irritate your baby's skin. When wiping, make sure to do it gently and thoroughly; pat, if you have to. This will reduce friction and irritation to the affected area.

Minimize acidic foods in your baby's diet. If your baby is old enough to eat solid foods, minimize the intake of any food that contains too much acid, such as citrus products. These products contribute to the acidity of your child's urine and waste, potentially damaging your baby's skin.

Choose your diapers carefully. Not all diapers are created equal. Choose diapers that fit better and that don’t rub your baby's skin more. A diaper's absorption capability is also important, as this will dictate how much of your baby's urine will play havoc on his or her skin. Diapers with good absorption may also reduce the moisture against your baby's skin. Breathable diapers are always better than those that do not allow proper ventilation in the diaper area.

Diaper rash should go away in a matter of days, sometimes even as fast as one day. If the rash persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like boils or inflammation, then it is time to have a physician look at it. A more serious underlying condition could be behind it.

Tags : Health And Beauty

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