What is good for diaper rash? What Causes Rash? How to Prevent Rash?

Diaper rash is a common type of rash that usually occurs in the butt area of ​​babies. Depending on the condition of the rash, treatment is possible at home or with the help of a doctor. In order to prevent this rash, it is important to know why it occurs and take precautions accordingly.

What are the symptoms of diaper rash?

Diaper rash has many symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is that the baby’s diaper area becomes red and sensitive. There may be redness covering the entire diaper area or in certain parts. Babies with diaper rash may become uncomfortable and cry when the area is touched. If the rash is advanced, there may be pimples, blisters or other sores. If an infectious rash occurs, the rash turns bright red and swelling on the skin is expected. As the condition worsens, the redness may spread from where it first started to other areas, even outside the diaper area. That’s why it’s important to consult your doctor when you first experience diaper rash. It is recommended that you consult your doctor again in the following cases:

• If acne occurs,
• If the diaper rash is bleeding,
• If the baby has a fever,
• If the rash has spread to other areas such as the arms, face or scalp,
• If the diaper rash gets worse despite being treated at home,
• If it appeared within 6 weeks after birth.

What are the causes of diaper rash?

There are multiple causes of diaper rash. The reasons can be listed as follows:

• Dirty diapers: Wet and dirty diapers may cause irritation if they come into contact with the skin for a long time. If your baby has diarrhea, he or she may be more prone to diaper rash.
• Friction: If the baby’s diaper or clothes are tight, it can cause redness and irritation.
• New products: Baby’s skin may react to wipes, washcloths or detergents used for the first time.
• Yeast and bacterial infections: What starts as a simple infection can spread to the skin. Since the area where the diaper is located is warm and humid, it is a good breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Babies’ skin folds are also risky areas for diaper rash.
• New foods: As your baby transitions to solid foods, the composition of his stools also changes. Change in stool content may cause diaper rash. As the frequency of feeding increases, the frequency of stool increases, so the risk of diaper rash increases. In breastfed babies, diaper rash may develop as a reaction to a food consumed by the mother.
• Sensitive skin: Babies with other skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis may be more likely to develop diaper rash.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill the bacteria that control the growth of yeast fungi. In this way, there is an increase in yeast fungi. The risk of diarrhea also increases in babies using antibiotics. If the breastfeeding mother uses antibiotics, the baby’s risk of developing diaper rash increases.

What is good for diaper rash?

There are natural methods that are good for diaper rash and can be applied at home. These can be listed as follows:

• Coconut oil: It is known that coconut oil can destroy Candida fungus. It also reduces inflammation and acts as a barrier in the applied area. It may be an effective method if the baby is not allergic to coconut oil.
• Apple cider vinegar: It may be good for diaper rash caused by fungal infections. It prevents the growth of fungus by killing the bacteria that cause the rash. Before applying the vinegar, you can mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water and apply it to the area with a cloth that will not irritate.
• Olive oil: Olive oil has anti-infective properties and relieves itching. Because it is effective as a moisturizer, it can also help relieve pain and discomfort.
• Honey and chamomile: The spray prepared by mixing one teaspoon of honey and two glasses of chamomile tea can be sprayed on the baby’s diaper rash area. These two substances have relaxing and antiseptic properties.
• Oatmeal bath: According to research, oatmeal bath may be good for dermatitis types by reducing irritation. Bathing with oats can also reduce pain and itching.
• Breast milk: The healing properties of breast milk are also used in diaper rash. It is also a good option because it is effective as a moisturizer.
• Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera has properties that can reduce inflammation. It is recommended to use it for diaper rash.
• Taking precautions against new foods: New foods are generally beneficial for the baby. In some babies, acidic foods such as tomatoes can make urine and stool irritating. If this is the case, such foods should not be given until the diaper rash heals.
• Avoiding certain products: Baby powder and cornstarch are not recommended. It can damage their lungs because they can inhale it as well. In addition, starch can worsen the situation in diaper rash caused by candida fungus.
• Probiotic yoghurt: Probiotic yoghurt helps the skin heal itself and is one of the natural methods used for diaper rash. The important thing here is that the yoghurt should be natural and sugar-free. After each diaper change, you can apply yogurt at room temperature to the affected area.
• Drying without wiping: While changing your baby’s diaper, you can wait for it to dry without wiping it. Since this reduces contact, it also prevents irritation. Before you start changing the diaper, you can spread a waterproof mat where you put the baby.

All of these are methods that can be tried at home and are not certain. If your baby has long-lasting and increasing diaper rash, it is recommended that you go to the nearest health institution without wasting time at home.

How to Treat Rash?

In order to treat diaper rash, it is necessary to pay attention to many points.

• Keeping the area clean and dry: One of the most important steps you can take to reduce redness is to keep the diaper dry and clean. That’s why you need to change the diaper when it gets wet. It is also important to be gentle when wiping babies’ bottoms during diaper changes. You should not rub while cleaning. It is recommended to clean with a soft cloth or by washing.
• Using disposable diapers: If you are using washable diapers, switching to disposable and absorbent diapers throughout the diaper rash will help.
• Using the right size diaper: Wrong size diapers increase the likelihood of diaper rash and can worsen existing diaper rash. If you use a diaper that is too small for the baby, you may cause extra moisture and rashes to build up more quickly. In the large diaper, there is friction, which worsens the rash. That’s why it’s important to use the right size cloth.
• Changing the diaper brand or detergent: If your baby frequently develops diaper rash, he may be allergic to the diaper brand or detergent used. The scents of soaps and detergents can also cause irritation. That’s why you can choose odorless and anti-allergy products.
• Allowing the area with diaper rash to breathe: You can ventilate your baby’s area with diaper rash at regular intervals during the day. Since the clothes on the baby’s lower area will come off while doing this process, you may need to be careful not to catch a cold. Instead of synthetic diapers, you can try to choose 100% cotton diapers during diaper rash.

How to Prevent Rash?

To prevent diaper rash, the following points should be taken into consideration:

• Do not leave the diaper wet and change it immediately,
• Rinsing with warm water at every diaper change,
• Gently dry the skin with a clean and soft towel or cloth,
• Leaving the baby’s bottom as open as possible to allow it to breathe,
• Making sure the diaper is the right size,
• Using antiallergen detergent to wash the baby’s clothes and bedding,
• Giving small amounts and observing the baby during the transition to new foods,
• Wear comfortable clothes instead of tight clothes,
• Washing your hands before and after changing diapers.

If you notice symptoms of diaper rash in your baby, you can contact a healthcare provider and get treatment advice for your baby. You can get rid of diaper rash as quickly as possible by trying the appropriate treatment method.