Diaper Rash: Treatment and Prevention
Diaper rash is a common problem among babies. It is characterized by red and irritated-looking skin in your baby’s diaper area. The irritated skin may also be a bit puffy and warm when touched.
Causes of Diaper Rash
Diaper rash may be caused by anything from your baby’s own urine to laundry detergents you use to wash your baby’s nappies. Here are some of the most common causes of diaper rash.
Wetness – even super absorbent diapers leave a bit of moisture on your baby’s sensitive skin. When left in a dirty diaper too long, your baby is more likely to develop diaper rash. Also, when your baby’s pee mixes with bacteria from poop, it breaks down and forms ammonia which can be harsh on skin. So make sure that you change your baby’s diapers diligently.
Chafing or Chemical Sensitivity – when diaper rubs against your baby’s sensitive skin, it causes skin to chafe and form a rash. Chemicals like fragrances in disposable diapers or detergents used in washing clothes may further aggravate your baby’s chafing skin. It could also be caused by the baby wash, lotion or powder that you use for diaper duty or during bath time.
Infection – your baby’s diaper rash could also be caused by an infection. The diaper region is moist and warm – the ideal breeding ground for yeast and bacteria. It fairly easy for bacterial and yeast infection to gather thrive in there, particularly in the cracks and folds of your baby’s skin, and cause a rash.
Antibiotics – antibiotics reduce the number of healthy bacteria that fights off yeast as well as the harmful bacteria they are meant to eliminate. So if you are a breastfeeding mom on antibiotics or if your baby him/herself is on antibiotics, his or her diaper rash may be caused by it.
Preventing Diaper Rash
1. Keep your baby’s bottom dry. Change his or her diaper immediately after it gets wet or soiled.
2. Clean your baby’s genital area thoroughly with purified water and cotton pads or ultrasensitive, chemical free baby wipes. Pat your baby’s skin dry.
3. Do not use baby wash that contain chemicals that could irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Also avoid using talcum powder since the dust is harmful to your baby lungs. If your want to use powder, opt for the safer, cornstarch based-ones. When applying powder, shake it onto your hand away from your baby. After every diaper changes, carefully wash away powder that accumulates in your baby’s skin folds.
4. Do not wash your baby’s cloth diapers with laundry products that contain fragrances. Unless your fabric softener is free from bleach, dye and chemicals and is nontoxic and hypo-allergenic, then skip it all together. Use hot water and double rinse your baby’s diapers. You might also want to try adding a cup of vinegar in the first rinse water to get rid of alkaline irritants.
5. Secure your baby’s diaper with room for air to circulate. Loose clothing allows your baby’s bottom to breath. Avoid plastic pants and other airtight fabrics.
Debbie Williams is a child care expert consultant on a non-government organization promoting non-toxic cleaning products and eco friendly cleaning.
BabyGanics is the manufacturer or non toxic cleaning products made with all-natural ingredients for effective and natural baby products.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Jones_Williams
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