Diaper Rash Soothing Babys Ruddy Buns
DIAPER RASH Soothing Baby's Ruddy Buns
Cloth . . . or disposable? It's the first, critical decision that parents make about their newborn's immediate future.
But whichever diaper you choose, the goal is the same--to keep your baby's bottom as dry as possible through those incontinent first years of life. Succeed in that, and your infant has a pretty good chance of avoiding that ruby-red bane of babies' buns--diaper rash.
Diaper rash is what happens when a baby's sensitive skin is kept in contact with urine-or fecal-soaked diapers for any length of time. The moisture breaks down the skin's natural protective oils, and a red, irritated, bumpy rash appears. The makeup of the diaper is irrelevant: Doctors say diaper rash can happen whether your baby wears cloth or disposable diapers.
Fortunately, diaper rash is rarely serious. But just try telling that to your uncomfortable infant who's wiggling, kicking and complaining with a preverbal vigor that keeps you hopping. You're sure to lose some sleep before it's over--but luckily, prompt action and a few preventive steps can usually take care of that rash. Here's where to start.
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| When to See the Doctor Diaper rash usually goes away after two or three days of care, but if it doesn't, contact your doctor. Your child may have more than just a routine diaper rash. ''If the rash is becoming beefy red, involves the creases of the groin and has round pink spots radiating from the red area, your child may have a yeast infection,'' says pediatrician Lynn Sugarman, M.D., a pediatrician with Tenafly Pediatrics in Tenafly, New Jersey, and an associate in clinical pediatrics at Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Yeast infections are often a side effect of taking antibiotics, but they may occur for other reasons, too. ''A yeast infection is not serious and can be easily treated with an antifungal medication such as Lotrimin or Mycostatin cream, after seeking advice from a physician,'' says Dr. Sugarman. ''Also, see your physician at the first sign of anything that looks like a pimple or blister in the diaper area,'' suggests Dr. Sugarman. '' Your child may have a staph infection. This is particularly important if your baby is a newborn, but no matter how old your child may be, he'll need antibiotics to take care of this bacterial infection.'' |
Change frequently. ''Paper or cloth diapers work equally well as long as you change them whenever they're wet or soiled,'' says Sam Solis, M.D., chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital in New Orleans, assistant professor of pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine and a pediatrician in Metairie, Louisiana. At home, that's easy enough to do. But be sure to carry enough diapers when you're traveling as well. Abolish plastic pants. If your baby is in cloth diapers, don't cover them with plastic pants except when you absolutely have to. ''Plastic pants keep the moisture in, which is just what you don't want,'' says Dr. Solis. ''Moisture can cause or worsen diaper rash.'' He recommends thick cloth diaper covers as a better alternative, since they allow the skin to breathe.
Go natural. If you change your tot frequently enough, she might not need any powder at all. But if you do need a baby powder, use plain cornstarch, recommends Daniel Bronfin, M.D., staff pediatrician at the Ochsner Clinic and assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine. ''A lot of people, particularly grandparents, enjoy applying powders and baby lotion after a diaper change, but these won't prevent diaper rash,'' says Dr. Bronfin. ''In fact, because these products usually contain perfume and additives, they may even cause a rash.''
Wipe out wipes. In an ideal world, a baby's bottom would be cleaned with mild soap and water and rinsed well with every diaper change. But most parents use wipes that may contain alcohol, perfume and soap that remain on the skin, notes Lynn Sugarman, M.D., a pediatrician with Tenafly Pediatrics in Tenafly, New Jersey, and an associate in clinical pediatrics at Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. '' Wipes can be irritating to the skin, especially when your baby has a diaper rash. At the first sign of a rash, switch to soap and water,'' says Dr. Sugarman.
Use a spray bottle. Dr. Bronfin recommends removing stool with warm water mixed with a drop or two of baby oil. ''Use a spray bottle to spray the mixture on the diaper area, then wipe it off with a clean cloth,'' he suggests. This method will be less irritating to your baby.
Air it out. The diaper rash will heal faster if you let air get to the area. ''Try to let your baby go without a diaper for 10 to 15 minutes after each diaper change,'' suggests Dr. Solis.
Try a sitz bath. When a rash is really uncomfortable, a sitz bath helps restore moisture to the skin and speeds healing, says Dr. Solis. ''Two or three times a day, fill the tub with a few inches of warm water and let your child sit in the tub and play with his toys. You only have to do it for five to ten minutes each time, but it really makes a difference,'' he says.
Create a barrier. Protect irritated skin from further contact with waste by applying a thick layer of an over-the-counter barrier cream such as Balmex ointment or A and D Ointment, suggests Dr. Sugarman.
Snip some elastic. If your child is outfitted in disposable diapers, there's some custom tailoring you can do to get the air circulating a bit better, according to Dr. Bronfin. Put the diapers on as loosely as possible, rather than snug at the waist and snip some of the elastic from the bands around the leg openings, he suggests. And make sure you choose a diaper size that is roomy enough to allow for some air space.
