Ointments for diaper rash that are safe for your baby and other medications

Diaper rash can make a baby often fussy because it stings like a pin prick. There are actually many ways to treat diaper rash. However, the most appropriate solution is usually applying a drug in the form of an ointment. What ointments are effective in relieving and treating diaper rash in babies? Check out the full review in this article!

Ointments to treat diaper rash

Diaper rash has become a baby skin disease that often occurs in certain conditions.

This usually strikes with the baby's sensitive skin conditions, rarely changing diapers regularly, or frequent wearing wet, tight diapers.

This condition causes a red, painful rash to appear. Fortunately, diaper rash can be easily treated with ointments, creams, or gels made specifically for baby's skin.

Although medications or ointments to treat diaper rash in babies can be obtained without a prescription, it's best to consult with your doctor first.

The following is a list of drugs recommended as a way to treat diaper rash in babies, both with and without a prescription:

1. Ointment containing zinc oxide

The American Academy of Dermatology lists zinc oxide ointment as one of the effective treatments for rashes on the buttocks and groin of babies.

Zinc oxide forms a defense layer on the baby's top skin to reduce the chance of foreign substances causing irritation.

This ointment is easy to get and generally works as a way of treating diaper rash in babies due to irritation.

Side effects are also rare in babies using this medicine. However, use the medication as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Clean your hands before applying this medicine to the skin in a thin layer.

If within a few days the rash does not get better, consult a doctor to get the right medication.

2. Hydrocortisone ointment

Hydrocortisone ointment can be used as a way to treat diaper rash. This medication can reduce swelling, itching, and irritation of the skin.

Most skin creams do contain mild doses of hydrocortisone.

However, to be used as a diaper rash medicine, how to use hydrocortisone ointment must be supervised by a doctor if the child is under 10 years of age.

Use it only when the doctor has recommended it for your child. Careless use can actually worsen skin rashes and irritation.

If you are using hydrocortisone ointment as a medicine to treat diaper rash, do not use other drugs at the same time.

It's best to wait about 10 minutes before applying another drug, or it would be better if another drug was used at a different time.

3. Antifungal cream

Please note that there are fungi that live on the surface of the skin. However, its existence is not dangerous because there are not many and under control.

Unfortunately, the condition of the skin which is damp and dirty can stimulate the growth of more fungus.

This condition can occur on the skin around the baby's buttocks and groin, which can cause diaper rash due to fungal infection.

How to treat diaper rash due to fungal infection, babies should use antifungal ointments. This medication may reduce infection by inhibiting fungal growth on the skin.

Some of the antifungal ointments that are usually used are clotrimazole or miconazole, such as Balmex, Desitin, Triple Paste and Lotrimin.

In addition, antifungal ointments also often contain zinc oxide, this is the active ingredient that is widely used in products to treat diaper rash.

This content can soothe and protect the baby's skin throughout the day. You can apply this diaper rash medicine in a thin layer on the skin of the baby affected by the rash.

However, to make it safer to use, consult your doctor first.

4. Antibiotic cream

Apart from fungi, infections can also be caused by bacteria that breed on damp and dirty skin.

If diaper rash in babies occurs due to bacterial infection, the way to treat it is with antibiotic ointments.

Antibiotics are able to kill and inhibit bacterial growth. However, its use to treat diaper rash requires a doctor's prescription.

This is because not all antibiotics can help treat rashes, such as amoxicillin for example.

The indiscriminate and unnecessary use of antibiotics can also increase the risk of yeast infection.

In addition, antibiotics should not be used in the long term because they can cause resistance (bacteria resistant to antibiotics). Therefore, you must consult a doctor.

5. Petroleum jelly

The last choice of ointment as a way to treat diaper rash in babies is petroleum jelly, especially if the irritation is still mild.

Applying petroleum jelly to the baby's skin can also be an adjunct to certain rash creams so they don't stick to the diaper.

Once healed, you can use this ointment as a follow-up treatment to prevent diaper rash from recurring.

A 2013 study in the Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing shows that using petroleum jelly lowers the risk of a baby developing diaper rash later in life.

To be more optimal, use it after cleaning the baby's skin with water so that the ointment can hold water and more effectively keep the skin moist.

Home remedies for diaper rash

Apart from medicinal use, home remedies are also needed as a way to treat diaper rash. This is done so that parents keep the baby's skin clean.

Here are various ways to deal with and treat baby's skin affected by diaper rash, including:

Change diapers regularly

The baby's skin will avoid problems if the diapers are also clean. So, it is very important to keep the diaper area dry and clean.

Actually, how many times do you change a baby's diaper? Parents are advised to change diapers if they are defecating, urinating, or otherwise dirty.

Make sure to check the condition of the diaper every two or three hours, even at night until the rash is completely gone.

Clean baby's skin with safe products

In order to keep baby's skin clean, there is nothing wrong with bathing the baby regularly, which is twice a day.

As a way to treat diaper rash, try using fragrance-free or irritant-free products such as benzocaine, phenols, salicylates, or diphenhydramine.

First, rub the baby's skin gently and rinse with water until clean.

Next, dry the skin with a towel or let it dry on its own to prevent excess skin moisture.

Once dry, apply the cream, ointment, or gel your doctor prescribes to treat diaper rash.

Choose cloth or disposable diapers that are the right size and loosen them up a bit so that they don't cause friction on the rash.

If the rash does not get better, it spreads, and causes bleeding sores, consult a doctor immediately.

Wearing a diaper that is bigger than usual

In order for the diaper rash medicine or ointment to work more optimally, you can wear a diaper that is bigger than usual.

This is done to prevent the rash from getting worse due to the rubber in the disposable diaper that sticks to the baby's skin.

Shower every day

Diaper rash is not an obstacle to washing your baby every day. It's best if your little one's body is kept clean until the rash is completely gone from the skin.

As a way to treat diaper rash, you can use warm water and fragrance-free soap, so as not to irritate the baby's skin.

The time for bathing the baby can be adjusted, it can be morning or evening. After bathing, gently rub your baby's entire body.

For the diaper rash area, simply pat it dry with a towel and avoid rubbing it as this can make the rash worse.

Keep in mind that keeping baby's skin dry is very important so that diaper rash gets better quickly.