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Inflammation of the skin in the diaper area is called diaper dermatitis, nappy rash, napkin dermatitis, or diaper rash. This may occur due to various reasons ranging from skin irritation to bacterial or fungal infections.
Diaper rash can be treated at home by keeping the diaper area clean and dry. However, some cases of persistent and severe diaper rash may require prescription medications. Seek medical care if the diaper rash does not improve with home care measures.
Read this post to know more about the causes, types, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of diaper rashes in babies.
Causes Of Diaper Rash In Babies
The following factors may cause diaper rash in babies (1).
- Prolonged exposure to feces and urine may irritate the baby’s skin. Babies are vulnerable to diaper rash during diarrhea due to frequent bowel movements.
- Tight diapers or friction between the diaper and skin may cause rashes.
- Baby wipes, new diapers, detergent, baby lotions, creams, oils, and powdersmay cause skin irritation in some babies.
- Bacterial or fungal infections could cause diaper rashes.
- Antibiotic treatment may causediaper rash due to changes in the skin’s microflora, resulting in yeast’s overgrowth.Diarrhea due to antibiotic treatment may also trigger diaper rash.
- Changes in diet, such as the introduction of solid foods or new foods, could cause diaper rash due to a change in the composition of the feces. Breastfed babies mayhave diaper rash due to changes in the maternal diet.
- Babies with atopic dermatitis or eczema may have an increased risk of developing diaper rash due to sensitive skin.
The cause and severity of diaper rashin babies can vary. You may seek a pediatrician’s help for individualized evaluation and treatment.
Types Of Diaper Rash In Babies
Various types of diaper rashes in babies may look similar. However, having a closer look may help you identify the type of diaper rash and resolve it at the earliest possible.
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The types of diaper rash in babies may include (2):
1. Irritant diaper rash
Irritant dermatitis is the most common cause of diaper rash in babies. Fecesand urine are irritating substances, and the diaper area’s skin is always in contact with them. It can worsen during diarrhea. This may look like red or pink patches. It is less common to have irritant rashes on groin folds since it has less exposure to excrements.
2. Yeast infection
Overgrowth of yeast (a type of fungus) can cause diaper rash in many babies. Yeast infection (candida dermatitis) is commonly seen after antibiotic treatment. Bright red or pink, shiny patches with marked edges are a characteristic finding in yeast rashes. This may also appear as small pimples or bumps in the initial stages. You may notice sores or damaged skin that bleeds in severe cases. Yeast diaper rash can be more severe in groin folds.
3. Bacterial dermatitis
Babies may get bacterial diaper rash (impetigo) by strep and staph bacteria. This can also be a superimposed or secondary bacterial infection on an existing diaper rash due to other reasons.
The anal area may look bright red in strep infection. In comparison, staphylococcus or “staph” infection may cause honeycomb crusting (yellow crust) or pimples on the skin.
It is recommended to seek medical care for bacterial rashes since OTC antibiotic creams may worsen the condition.
4. Allergic dermatitis
Babies can have an allergic diaper rash due to certain substances in the diapers, baby wipes, creams, or powders. Fragrances, dyes, and elasticsin adiaper may also cause allergic reactions. You may notice massive red and shiny allergic rashes all over the exposed skin. Hypoallergenic baby products or switching products may reduce allergies.
5. Other rare types of diaper rashes
The following skin conditions may often cause rashes in the diaper region. These may include:
You may notice other symptoms or rashes in other parts of the body in skin diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Always seek medical care for exact diagnosis if the home remedies do not improve diaper rashes within a few days or if the baby has severe rashes.
Symptoms And Signs Of Diaper Rash In Babies
Skin in the diaper area, such as buttocks, thighs, and genitals, may appear tender and red. Babies may cry or become fussy while changing diapers or washing their diaper region.
You may notice various skin changes,such as redness, flaky skin, and dry skin, depending on the causative factors (3).Skin bleeding, fever, unusual or severe rashes may indicate severe infections or skin conditions.
Treatment For Diaper Rash In Babies
The initial remedy is to keep your baby’s skin dry and clean. The following home remedies may help to cure diaper rash in babies (4).
- Increase airflow to the diaper area
- Use larger diapers until rashes fade away
- Apply petroleum jelly or diaper creams and ointments that contain zinc oxide
- Change soiled diapers immediately
- Give regular bath with warm water and fragrance-free soap until rashes disappear
- If it is caused by food, alter the diet; in the case of breastfed babies, change the maternal diet
The following complementary or alternative treatments may work for some babies (5).
- Human breast milk
- Winter bloom or witch hazel plant-based ointments
- Calendula diaper creams
- Aloe vera gel
- Bentonite orshampoo clay
- Olive oil
- Beeswax
- Primrose and honey mixture
The above-listed alternative remedies may work for some babies. However, some of these substances may increase bacterial growth in the diaper area. Therefore, seek advice from a pediatrician before using them.
If the diaper rash worsens or does not go away,a pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist may prescribe any of the following treatment based on the cause (6).
- Mild hydrocortisone creams for inflammatory rashes
- Antifungal creams if rashes are due to fungal or yeast infection
- Antibiotic creams or ointments for bacterial infection
- Oral antibiotics are given for severe diaper rashes due to bacterial infections
Use the creams or ointments as per the doctor’s prescription since overuse can cause problems, and underuse may not be effective.
Prevention Of Diaper Rash In Babies
Keeping the diaper area dry and clean is the best way to prevent most diaper rashes in babies. The following tips may help to avoid diaper rashes in babies (1) (6).
- Change diapers on time, wearing wet and dirty diapers for extended periods may increase the risk of rashes.
- You may clean the diaper area with lukewarm water, baby wipes, cotton balls, or washcloths while changing diapers.
- Avoid using baby wipes with alcohol or fragrance. You may use a cotton cloth soaked in warm water to clean the diaper area during rash.
- Pat dry the skin after cleaning with a towel and air dry the diaper area before putting on the new
- Avoid over-tightening the diapers since lack of airflow and friction may increase the risk ofskin irritation.
- Let your baby stay diaper-free for some time each day to reduce the risk of skin problems in the diaper area. You may keep them on a baby sheet or large towels to avoid any messy accidents.
- Use a thick layer of diaper creams (barrier creams or pastes) to protect the baby’s skin from irritants.
- Wash your hand after diaper changes to prevent diaper rash spread to other parts of the baby’s body.
Although many prefer baby powders or cornstarch powder for absorbing excess moisture in the skin, experts do not recommend powders since inhaled powders may irritate a baby’s lungs.
Are Disposable Diapers Better Than Cloth Diapers?
Choosing diapers for babies can often be confusing formany parents. Cloth diapers can be environmentally friendly, but disposable diapers are more convenient for most parents. However, when it comes to diaper rash, both the diapers can cause it, and there is no evidence that one is better than the other. So, you may choose adiaper according to your convenience and what works best for your baby.
Note: When your baby has a diaper rash, it is better to use disposable super-absorbent diapers than cloth diapers (6).
If diaper rash happens after using cloth diapers, try to change the fabric softeners and detergents. You may try a different brand if a disposable diaper causes skin inflammation. However, changing the diaper on time and keeping the diaper area dry and clean is a better way of preventing diaper rash.
Diaper rashes can be successfully treated with home remedies in most babies. However, if it is recurrent or persistent, then the baby may require medication. It may take several days for the rashes to disappear. Once the rashes are gone, observing precautions can help avoid the recurrence of diaper rash in babies.