Diaper rash, or diaper dermatitis, is a rash in the diaper area. Your baby’s skin may look red, raw and even a bit spotty at the edge of the rash. The severity of diaper rash can range from mild irritation to extremely sore.
While diaper rash is a common baby skin condition that can often be treated at home, seeing your little one in pain is difficult and the problem can be quite persistent. So how can parents best prevent diaper rash in the first place, or best manage it once it appears?
How to treat baby diaper rash:
Keep the area clean and dry
Prevention is the best medicine in this case. The best and most simple way to keep diaper rash from appearing is to keep your baby in clean, dry diapers. Every two to three hours is a good rule of thumb for change-frequency, but if you find that your little one is messy again after just an hour, make sure to change it right away.
When cleaning the area, pay special attention to any folds in the skin. Bacteria can easily get trapped here, causing rashes and irritation. Use an unscented baby wipe or wetted cloth to clean the diaper area. Rascal + Friends sensitive baby wipes are pH balanced, made with a 99% natural formula and are dermatologically certified to be safe on sensitive skin.
Applying a gentle, unscented lotion with each diaper change can ensure that the area stays healthy. Just be sure the skin is completely clean and dry before applying any lotions or ointments.
Frequent diaper change routine
When a diaper rash appears, changes can become more challenging as cleaning the area may cause pain and discomfort for your little one. It’s important, now more than ever, to keep your change routine frequent, so they stay in a fresh diaper with clean skin. Continue to generously apply a diaper ointment, and water can also be a great gentle solution for cleaning the area – just avoid using soap as it can dry out the skin and cause further irritation.
Allow the skin to completely air dry before putting on a new diaper. You may also like to try ‘no diaper time’ to let skin completely dry and breathe.
Find baby diaper products that are safe on sensitive skin
Diaper rash can also be caused by a sensitivity to diaper products, whether that be diapers, ointments, or baby wipes. Start by ensuring that all of the products you’re using are unscented, as fragrances are a common sensitivity and could be causing the irritation of the skin. Using sensitive baby wipes, minimum ingredient lotions, and diapers made for sensitive skin can also improve the state of a little one’s rash.
If the problem persists after you’ve taken all these measures or progresses to the point of open sores or bleeding, consult your paediatrician.
Choose a diaper for sensitive skin
Rascal + Friends premium diapers, are made with sensitive skin in mind. Certified by world leading organisations to be safe and ultra gentle on sensitive skin, our premium products are made with no nasties, just love.
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