A baby with a diaper rash can be miserable. The pain can be caused by the lack of air and light to the bottom because of wearing a diaper for many hours each day. To make matters worse, disposable diapers are made of materials that absorb urine so well it is difficult to tell when the baby is wet until the baby is very wet. Diaper rash has causes, symptoms and treatments that usually take place at home.

Personal Story

My baby had a diaper rash that wouldn’t go away. I sought help from our physician.

Causes

The causes of diaper rashes are simple.

• Urine or feces causes irritation when not changed right away.
• Diapers that are too tight.
• Laundry soaps or body care products may have fragrances that the baby is sensitive to.
• Food sensitivities can cause diaper rash. Even if the baby is breastfeeding, food that the mother has eaten can result in a diaper rash.
• Digestive difficulties
• Illness
• Medications can cause a rash, even if it was the mother who is on an antibiotic rather than the baby.

The causes of diaper rash lead to a baby having observable symptoms.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of a diaper rash are:

• Rash- red, patchy, puffy skin in the diaper area
• Temperament change- Baby becomes irritable, doesn’t sleep well, and doesn’t handle a diaper change without fussing

The symptoms are hard to miss, causing the baby to change his or her normal disposition.

Treatments

There are a variety of treatments that can take place at home.

• Frequent diaper changes
• Avoid diaper wipes
• Air drying for ten minutes three times each day. This is a crucial step.
• Changes the type of diaper that the baby wears, perhaps even trying a larger size.
• Avoid plastic pants or diaper covers
• Daily bath
• Ointments or creams made from witch hazel, calendula, or aloe Vera.
• Magnesium oil
• Bentonite clay
• Breast milk
• Non-diarrhea foods
• Avoid foods that cause a rash

Note: See your health care professional if the rash is severe, looks unusual, or doesn’t clear up in a few days of using these treatments. There are times a rash needs a prescription ointment to clear up. Seek a physician’s care if the baby has a fever, has a rash that oozes, or has pain during bowel movements or urination.

Action

Use these suggestions when your baby has a diaper rash and seek medical care if the diaper rash lasts more than three days.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. What have you done to heal a diaper rash?

Resources:

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-dealing-with-that-darn-diaper-rash/

https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/health-centers/children/diaper-rash/

https://draxe.com/diaper-rash/