If your baby's skin becomes red, scaly, sore and rough, this could be a sign of diaper rash. It usually develops on your baby's lower abdomen, buttocks, hip, genitals and folds on the thighs.
How and why do babies get diaper rash?
Diaper rash develops when your baby's skin comes into contact with his urine and faeces.
Urine and faeces irritate the skin because these contain ammonia and other waste chemicals.
Very tight diapers and plastic pants do not allow air to circulate in your baby's groin. These also encourage the growth of bacteria on the skin's surface.
Wet and soiled diapers kept on your baby too long further irritate her skin. When she moves her legs, the excess moisture induces friction. This causes your baby to eventually have breaks on her skin.
When your baby's skin breaks or is already irritated, bacteria and fungi from her urine and faeces can cause infection. Fungal infection called thrush commonly accompanies diaper rash.
Bacterial skin infections may also crop up. These can be very painful especially when there's scaling and chafing. Bacterial skin infections can also present a pus-filled pimple-like growth on your baby's skin.
Allergy to a specific kind/brand of disposable diapers.
How to prevent diaper rash
- Change soiled or wet diapers immediately.
- Make sure that the folds of your baby's skin are clean and completely dry before putting on fresh diapers.
- Make sure the diapers are not very tight. Snug diapers help your baby's skin 'breathe'.
- Do not us plastic pants that keep your baby's groin warm and moist. Instead use pants or trousers that allow air to circulate.
- If you suspect that the rash is because of an allergy to a disposable diaper, try switching brands.
- You may use lubricants like lotions, creams and powders that are specially formulated to help prevent and protect against diaper rash. When used properly, these products protect your baby's skin from chafing and drying up.
- Products that contain zinc oxide are recommended because these help soothe and heal diaper rash. Zinc oxide also works against bacterial and yeast infections commonly seen with diaper rash.
- Using petroleum jelly and other emollients (look for those that are pectin paste-based) protects your baby's skin from moisture.
- When using disposable diapers, use one that is made of a highly absorbent material and has an absorbent gelling core that draws liquid away from your baby's skin. Other disposable diapers have a top-sheet (the layer that comes into contact with baby's skin) treated with petroleum-jelly, aside from being made of an absorbent gelling material.
- Use antibacterial detergents in washing cloth diapers. These help drive away the harmful bacteria that may cause skin infections. Also make sure that the cloth diapers are rinsed very well. Soap or chemical residue left in them can also cause skin irritation and to diaper rash.
