Diaper Rash and Treatment
A common occurrence in most babies is the appearance of a bright red rash on his bottom when you remove a diaper. Don’t panic. This is quite normal. Usually diaper rash is triggered by yeast and can appear scaly on the skin. If left untreated such rashes can spread but when tended to quickly it is not hard to cure.
Yeast favors warm, moist confines so a dirty diaper is ideal for fungi. Everyone has some yeast in their intestines and sometimes different factors can cause it to seep out and be found in bowel movements. Sometimes it’s caused by antibiotics, oral thrush and immune deficiencies. However yeast gets into the baby’s intestines it’s only a matter of time before it shows up as a rash on the skin.
When parents begin introducing babies to solid food between four and 12 months old the dietary change will cause the contents of their stool to change as well. This can cause more frequent bowel movements and consequently the likelihood of a diaper rash. Irritation from a new product including baby wipes and other soap-based products can cause a rash. Other causes include naturally sensitive skin and chaffing or rubbing.
If you notice a red irritation on your baby’s skin when changing the diaper quickly clean the area with warm water and gently smoothing over the skin. Keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry is the best prevention for rashes. If a rash persists a doctor or pediatrician may suggest using an anti-fungal cream or a mild hydrocortisone cream. It can take several days and even up to a week for rashes to heal completely. Don’t be alarmed if the red skin doesn’t clear immediately. Continue gently washing the area and applying the creams recommended by your doctor and keep a close watch on the skin to see if it is healing or not. If there is no change or if the rash is spreading after one week then it is time to seek more serious treatment.