Diaper Rash Care Guide

7 minutes Lire

Formats the Html codes.FormatFix the Html to be XHtml compliantFix Write Validate that the text is XHtml compliant.Validate Proofing

Adult changing baby's diaper

Watching your baby struggle with the discomfort of diaper rash can be heartbreaking.

Signified as red rash that appears in the diapered area (thighs, genitals, butt), rashes can cause discomfort and sleepless nights for both you and your little one. Known as diaper dermatitis, diaper rash is generally mild and can typically be resolved with gentle homecare. However, if your little one is suffering from a severe case, you’ll need to visit your family doctor.

What Causes Diaper Rash?

Causes of diaper rash

Some of the most common causes of diaper rash can be narrowed down to infections (bacteria, virus, and fungi), allergies, and irritations. Read on to learn more about each cause:

Infection

Urine can change the pH of your baby’s skin, creating an environment that allows bacteria, virus, and fungi to thrive.

A child’s diaper may become a warm, moist space for bacteria, virus, and fungi like yeast to grow.

Irritation

When your baby’s diaper is too tight, or isn’t changed often enough, it can cause irritation. The rubbing and chafing of their diaper can cause skin irritation and a rash.

Allergies

All babies have sensitive skin; however, your baby might have a specific allergy. This can include an allergy to body care products as well as common dyes and fragrances found in some diapers and wipes. Huggies® is the only leading brand of entirely fragrance-free diapers.

What Should I Do if My Baby Gets Diaper Rash?

Diaper rash is no fun for you or your baby. Follow these simple diaper rash treatment steps to help clear up and provide comfort to your baby from those painful red rashes:

Keep the skin dry:

Keeping your baby’s skin dry will greatly help their diaper dermatitis heal. By changing their diaper regularly, you will also help keep pee and poop off their skin, hopefully avoiding irritation.

When changing your baby’s diaper gently pat dry or allow their skin to air dry before continuing.

Avoid keeping diapers on all day :

By occasionally exposing your baby’s skin to the air you can help the healing process. Try having your baby sleep on a towel without a diaper during naps to let the irritated skin breathe

Change diapers often:

As mentioned earlier; to help keep irritating substances like pee and poop from your baby’s skin, you should change their diaper regularly. Checking and changing every two hours if needed is ideal.

How to Change a Baby with a Diaper Rash

Changing your baby’s diaper when they’re experiencing a rash is a delicate process. To minimize any unnecessary discomfort, follow these steps.

Wash area with warm water:

Using either a sink, tub, or a squirt bottle, gently cleanse your baby’s skin to clean off any pee or poop. You might also consider using a moist washcloth, wet cotton balls, or even baby wipes like the Huggies® Skin Essentials ™ Wipes. These ultra thick wipes give you a washcloth-like experience that’s gentle, hypoallergenic, and free of alcohol and fragrances.

Apply diaper ointment :

When buying a rash cream, choose a cream or ointment that contains zinc oxide or petroleum jelly.

A cream or ointment that’s high in these ingredients will do wonders by protecting the skin from moisture, which can further irritate the rash. Additionally, they offer a soothing barrier for the skin

Allow the skin to fully dry

To give your baby’s rash the best chance of healing, make sure that the area’s completely dry before you apply rash cream and a new diaper. Limiting the exposure to moisture will help their skin heal.

By using these diaper rash treatments, you can hopefully ease the symptoms of your baby’s dermatitis and renew their skin while helping prevent future rashes.

How to Prevent Diaper Rash

To keep your baby from experiencing the unfortunate discomfort of a diaper rash and save yourself the stress, use these tips and tricks.

Change diapers often:

Prevent your little one’s skin from sitting in moisture or being exposed to poop for too long by checking their diapers at least every two hours.

Clean between the skin folds :

Being thorough when cleaning your baby’s skin is essential. When cleaning your baby’s skin, or changing their diaper, be sure to get into the folds of their skin for ultimate cleanliness.

Buy properly fitted diapers :

A poor-fitting diaper may cause you baby to get a rash. Tight diapers can rub and chafe against their skin as they move so try and find the perfect fit, based on their size and weight. Your little one will grow rapidly, so be sure to always double-check when buying to ensure that you are getting the right size for your little one.

Use Huggies® Skin Essentials™

"Huggies® Skin Essentials™ diapers and wipes are designed for baby’s sensitive skin. These diapers help protect against the top two causes of rash, moisture and mess, by managing runny mess. They feature a SkinProtect™ liner that helps absorb moisture and lock runny mess away from baby’s skin. The wipes are ultra plush and free of harsh ingredients. Keeping baby’s skin clean and dry helps minimize your little one’s exposure to the irritants and allergens in their poop and urine.

Check out even more diaper rash and skincare tips here

Read time: 6 min 13 secs

This content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis or treatment.

RESOURCES:

Kimberly-Clark US makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.