Nothing is more upsetting for parents than hearing their children cry in agony. If your baby’s bottom has suddenly turned from soft pink to crayfish red, he may have baby diaper rash.
Aside from the redness, it can be extremely painful and difficult to heal! In this guide, We’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about diaper rash.
What is diaper rash?
Diaper rash is a type of inflammatory skin irritation that occurs around your baby’s bottom. It is distinguished by the appearance of sudden redness on the buttocks, which may be accompanied by small pimples.
This is gradually supplemented by the appearance of extremely painful fissures or ulcerations.
Almost all babies experience such irritation at some point in their younger age. The presence of ammonia in the urine, which attacks the protective barrier of the epidermis, is one of the main factors favoring the appearance of diaper rash.
Furthermore, the hot and humid climate, as well as the maceration of urine within the diaper, provide an ideal environment for the colonization of bacteria and fungi like Candida albicans.
How do you recognize diaper rash?
Is your baby’s bottom skin blazing red, puffy, or wet? Did he develop pimples, splits, or scabs on the buttocks that aren’t healing?
Have you noticed that your kid has been crying a lot lately? Is he agitated? If this is the case, your child is most likely suffering from diaper rash.
But don’t panic: the sooner you begin treatment, the less serious it will be. You can prevent bleeding and blistering by initiating the proper treatment early.
What does severe diaper rash look like – Pictures
What is the main cause of baby diaper rash ?
Have you ever ridden a bicycle for a long-distance? You’ve probably already felt the impact of the frequent rubbing on your skin between your thighs in this situation.
Imagine all of this happening in a damp, closed diaper that is constantly wet and loaded with urine and poo.
This revolting notion might assist you in comprehending how diaper rash develops. The moisture in the diaper causes the skin to expand, which interferes with the skin’s natural barrier function.
Germs, bacteria, and fungi can develop and enter the skin of the baby in this hot and humid atmosphere.
Can diarrhea cause severe diaper rash ?
When babies start teething, diaper rash is common. Two factors that favor the development of the latter are the hyperacidity of the feces in the event of diarrhea and the maceration of urine.
It can also be aided by some medications, intolerances to materials or compounds used in therapies.
How can I prevent diaper rash?
Your infant is many months old, and the temperature in your home is moderate? You can take his diaper off now and again and let him play on all fours on a washable mat.
Changing diapers frequently will keep your baby from coming into contact with his pee and stool for an extended period of time.
You can also use a protective cream to build a protective barrier on his skin, protecting it from outside aggressors.
If your kid has a lot of diaper rash, look at his eating habits. It could be related to too much sugar in his diet, in which case you could possibly swap a portion of foods high in sugar with low acidity fruit.
How to effectively treat diaper rash?
As much to say right away: if you discover lesions, blisters, blood on your baby’s bottom and he moans and cries for days, you should absolutely consult your doctor or pediatrician!
However, if you recognize the first signs of diaper rash, you can directly adopt these small gestures: change the baby’s diaper frequently, ideally let him play several times and a few minutes a day without clothes and a diaper; contact with air considerably soothes irritation.
Diapers and wipes made with lotion and perfumes should not be used.
Did you know that your diet has a significant impact on the makeup of your stool? As a result, you should give your little baby low-sugar foods.
Your pediatrician will prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal treatment for your baby if a bacteria or fungus has been found. Your little child’s buttocks will recover rapidly if you use an ointment with anti-inflammatory ingredients like zinc or dexpanthenol.
If you don’t have any barrier cream on hand, try black tea, which is a great home cure for diaper rash.
Tea’s tannins do, in fact, have a therapeutic effect. As soon as irritation emerges, wipe your infant’s bottom with a clean cloth soaked in infused and cooled tea on a regular basis.
Wrapping up
Although baby diaper rash is a common minor annoyance in babies, it can cause unpleasant symptoms, it is of course always best to consult your doctor or pediatrician if in doubt.
Small simple gestures can be adopted to prevent it, but in any case do not worry: with an ointment, it can be relieved. You will be able to continue to live joyful moments in all serenity with your child.
Reference:
Diaper Rash: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology.