How to Prevent Diaper Rashes in Babies

Posted by Harleen Kaur on August 3rd, 2023

Diapers for babies are one of the most valuable baby care products for both babies and parents. While they help to keep your baby dry and comfortable all day long, they also save you both from the hassle of constant nappy changing and cleaning routines. But what interrupts this beautiful dream is the persistent threat of painful diaper rash. But you can both prevent them from occurring and if they do, you can easily get rid of them too. Let us discuss all about it in this article. 

Diaper Rashes 

What are they? 

Diaper rashes are characterised by raised red and inflamed spots in the area which remain covered by a diaper for babies, such as the buttocks, lower abdominal area, genitals and thigh region. The affected area of the baby’s skin is inflamed and may feel warm on the touch. It is painful, uncomfortable  and may also cause irritation for your baby.  

How are they caused? 

The major cause behind the development of diaper rashes is usually wetness and friction that occurs with the use of a diaper, giving way to an allergic reaction, yeast infection or irritant dermatitis. However, you must remember that rashes can develop even with premium and the best baby diapers at work and are not really caused by their usage but rather their improper usage; more on this later.

Some other common causes which can lead to diaper rashes are:

• Artificial fragrance added in the diaper, baby lotion, cream etc.
• Local, lesser-known or low price baby diapers which may not offer quality in their products
• Diarrohea caused due to a specific food, milk protein intolerance or the intake of antibiotics
• Extremely hot and humid weather
• Skin conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis etc
• Fungal or bacterial infections
• A change in the diet of your baby, such as that when they start solid food

How to Prevent Diaper Rash 

Clean thoroughly

It is crucial that you clean your baby’s buttocks, genitals and other areas usually covered under the diaper properly. Leaving any residual feaces can result in irritation of their skin that can in turn cause rashes. Also, you must make use of good quality and soft baby wipes only for cleaning them as a wipe with harsh ingredients or a rough washcloth can also cause skin irritation. 

Check after every feed

As babies usually tend to poop after they feed, it is necessary that you check their diaper after a feeding session. This is especially the case in newborns, babies who are less than 3 months old, who have very tiney stomachs and tend to poop multiple times, especially after a hearty meal. 

Change diaper regularly

Changing your baby’s diaper regularly is extremely important to prevent diaper rashes. Even if they may not have pooped in it or the diaper isn’t full yet, you must still change it every 4-5 hours. This is to ensure airing of their skin and to prevent moisture overflow. 

Air Dry

After cleaning your baby with soft baby wipes you must take care to leave them as is to let their diaper area air dry. You can use a cloth nappy or a soft cotton underwear at this time or simply let them be in their skin before using another diaper. This is essential to let their skin breathe which becomes difficult when it is packed with a multi-layered diaper.

This step will allow their diaper area to properly dry and therefore becomes less susceptible to rashes due to trapped moisture. 

Ensure the diaper fits well

A well-fitting diaper is more important than you think. It is not only essential for preventing leaks but also prerequisite for their comfort and to prevent rashes. When a diaper is too tight it will lie too close to the crotch and can cause more friction, while also letting the moisture to stay in contact with your baby’s skin for a long time, therefore causing rashes. On the other hand, if their diaper is too loose, it will cause leaks and lead to pooling of urine which can again cause rashes due to excessive moisture.

Use good quality diapers

While you may like the idea of low price baby diapers to save some money, you must be vary of the quality that the diaper brand offers. Often local brands offer diapers at fairly low price but at the cost of their quality. But diapers which are composed of rough or skin-irritating materials, faulty or uncomfortable designs and harsh ingredients, can readily lead to diaper rashes. Hence, always make sure to invest in wellk-known name-brands when it comes to buying diapers for babies. This is because such brands are popular in the first place as they offer well-researched and quality products.

Be extra careful

You must pay extra attention to your baby’s diaper region if they are on antibiotics, have recently started taking solid food or having diarrohea as all of these situations can cause diaper rashes.

How to Treat Diaper Rash

Use water and cotton for cleaning

If your baby has already developed rashes, it is best to stick to plain lukewarm water and organic cotton for cleaning them gently as the alcohol or other ingredients present in baby wipes can irritate their skin further.

Use barrier cream

Special diaper rash relief cream can be used on the affected area to prevent moisture from intensifying the damage. Apply a thick layer of doctor prescribed zinc oxide cream before putting on a fresh diaper.

Give breaks from diaper use

Just as it is necessary to take frequent breaks from using even the best baby diapers to prevent rashes, it is also important in healing them. Air drying the affected region and leaving it diaper free will let their skin dry well and thus help the rashes to heal faster.

Avoid direct exposure to the sun

Although many parents believe that exposing their baby’s diaper rash affected region to direct sunlight will help in drying the area and healing it faster, it is contrary to the truth. The UV rays from the sun can further irritate their delicate skin and increase the discomfort.

When to See a Doctor

Diaper rashes are fairly common and do not pose any serious threat. They can easily be treated at home too. By following the above mentioned tips, you can see that they start subsiding within a few days as well. However, sometimes these rashes may not be due to the common reasons and so may not improve with the usual remedies. So, if you find any of the following signs and symptoms along with diaper rash in your baby, you must see your paediatrician:

• Rashes do not begin to clear up or reduce in a few days despite home remedies
• A fever of 100.4°F or more
• Rashes spreading to other parts of the body
• Rahses aggravate with boils, blisters or pus filled in them
• Baby is refusing to feed
• They are not gaining weight as expected
• Significant diarrohea

Takeaway

Dipers rashes are common and uncomfortable but preventable and treatbale too. With the help of the high-quality and well-fittinmg diapers for babies and following the above-mentioned tips you can easily steer clear of them and help your baby enjoy a happy nappy time.