Diaper rash: causes, characteristics, treatment and ways to prevent it

x

Definition

What is diaper rash?

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic, diaper rash is an irritation in the form of a shiny reddish rash that appears on the area of ​​the baby's skin covered by a diaper. This condition is also often referred to as alias diaper dermatitis diaper rash.

Diaper rash is not a serious condition, but it should not be taken for granted especially as newborn care. In severe cases, diaper rash can lead to infection from fungi or bacteria that live on the baby's skin.

How common is diaper redness?

This condition is very common in babies who regularly wear diapers. Quoted from the Family Doctor, more than 50 percent of babies from 6-9 months of age experience diaper rash.

But in some cases, diaper rash in adults can also occur, especially the elderly.

Avoiding risk factors can prevent a person from developing this condition. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of diaper rash?

The symptoms of diaper rash in babies are redness and irritation in the buttocks and groin.

This symptom usually starts with faint, raised pink spots. Over time, the spots will enlarge and cover the area covered by the diaper if left untreated.

In the worst case, the baby's skin can look red and start peeling off. If touched, the skin folds can feel rough and can interfere with the baby's sleep.

When experiencing this condition, babies are fussy and cry, especially after urinating or defecating or when you change their diaper because of pain.

There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns about the symptoms, please consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If your baby's skin does not improve after a few days of home treatment, talk to your doctor. Sometimes, you will need a prescription medication to treat a baby's diaper rash.

Take your baby to the doctor if your little one has signs and symptoms, such as:

• Symptoms are severe and unusual
• It doesn't get better even though it has been treated
• The rash causes fluid-filled spots or causes bleeding sores
• Babies are in pain when passing stool and urination
• The appearance of a rash is accompanied by fever

When consulting a doctor, tell what happened to your little one. Starting from when the baby has a rash, to conditions that make it worse.

Cause

What causes diaper rash?

There are several causes for the rash your little one is experiencing, for example friction or irritation. The following is an explanation of the causes of the rash on your little one:

Irritation from feces

Quoting from the Family Doctor, irritation from stool or urine due to wearing diapers for too long can cause a rash. The condition of the diaper is damp, causing skin irritation and reddish spots.

If your little one has diarrhea, it will make the baby's rash worse.

Friction

The appearance of a rash on the buttocks or groin of the baby is caused by irritating or friction substances.

Then, the already problematic skin can become infected by fungi or bacteria trapped by the diaper on the baby's delicate and sensitive skin.

Materials such as synthetic absorbents in disposable diapers and disinfectant rinse soaps can also cause irritation.

Candida infection

What is Candida? This is a fungal infection that grows rapidly in warm, humid places. A rash may develop due to this infection and is bright red in color with small spots on the edges.

Allergic reactions

The use of bath soap, detergent, fabric softener, baby wipes, to diapers that do not fit your baby's skin can cause allergic reactions in babies and cause reddish irritation.

Immediately stop using products that trigger redness of the baby's skin as one way to treat baby's skin.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of a baby having irritation in the diaper?

A rash in the groin area in babies is a condition that can be caused by the following factors:

Babies have sensitive skin

Babies who have atopic dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis tend to have more sensitive skin. This condition makes them more prone to irritation and rashes on their skin.

Using inappropriate diapers or cleaning products

Improper use of baby diapers can increase the baby's risk of developing this condition. This can include the material of the diaper that is too coarse or the size of the diaper that is too tight.

Diapers that are rough and tight can cause friction on the baby's skin, which can lead to irritation and infection.

Leaving the baby in the diaper for too long in wet conditions can also increase the risk of developing a rash.

Coupled with the use of soaps that contain irritants, the risk of developing a rash on the skin will increase.

Using antibiotics

Using antibiotics in babies can increase the risk of developing a rash on the buttocks and groin. Likewise he received breast milk from mothers who used antibiotics.

This happens because antibiotics can kill the bacteria that control the growth of yeast (fungus).

As a result, the fungus grows out of control and causes rashes and infections.

Starting solids

Babies who enter the age of 6 months begin to recognize solid foods other than breast milk. This will change the contents and amount of feces and urine of your little one.

A baby's sensitive skin will respond to these changes by developing a rash around the buttocks or groin.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for diaper rash?

Rashes are a common problem in babies. This usually affects babies who have sensitive baby skin conditions, rarely change diapers regularly, or frequently wear wet, tight diapers.

The following drugs are recommended for treating diaper rash, 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 well for treating diaper rash in babies due to irritation. Side effects are also rare in babies using this medicine. However, use the medicine as directed by your doctor or pharmacy.

Clean your hands before applying this medicine to the baby's skin in a thin layer. and massage the baby gently. If within a few days, the rash doesn't get better, consult a doctor to prescribe a stronger medication.

2. Hydrocortisone ointment

Hydrocortisone ointment can be used 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

Moist and dirty skin conditions can stimulate the growth of more fungus. This can occur on the skin around the baby's buttocks and groin, which can cause diaper rash due to a yeast infection.

To treat fungal infections, 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 ointment 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. Petroleum jelly

The last choice of ointment for treating diaper rash in babies is petroleum jelly, especially if the irritation is 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.

What are the usual tests for diaper rash in babies?

Rashes on the parts of the baby's body that are often worn by diapers are common. When you are bathing a newborn, you will usually be able to see it immediately. You can also contact a doctor who will offer opinion based on prescriptions and other baby products.

When you talk to your doctor, be prepared to discuss the brands of diapers, lotions, detergents, and other household items your baby has contact with.

Home remedies

What home remedies can I use to treat diaper rash?

Even though it is a minor skin problem, you must know how to treat diaper rash properly. Otherwise, the rash can get worse and can lead to infection that spreads to other areas of the skin.

So that your baby is no longer fussy because of itching and painful diaper rash, here's how to treat the condition:

1. Check diapers regularly

Within a day, try to check the condition of the diaper more often. You may also need to wake up from time to time in the middle of the night to check and change the diaper when it gets dirty.

Checking a baby's diaper frequently is a way to deal with rashes on his bottom so you can know when to change to a new one.

When the diaper is full, feels heavy, damp, or looks dirty, replace it immediately.

2. Change diapers regularly

Changing a baby's wet diaper with a new copy is a great way to treat a rash.

Normally a baby's diaper needs to be changed every 2-3 hours, but it would be better if it was sooner. Once it starts to feel a little wet or full, replace it with a new one immediately.

When putting on a new baby diaper, do not apply it tightly so that the skin is breathable and does not get a lot of friction from the fabric.

3. Apply cream or gel to relieve symptoms

The next way to deal with diaper rash is to apply a cream or gel containing zinc oxide.

You can also use witch hazel, aloe vera gel, or creams that contain calendula as a way to treat baby diaper rash. This gel is included in the equipment for newborns that need to be owned.

However, ask your doctor or pharmacist first about a good cream and safe to apply to baby's skin.

4. Pay attention to how to choose diapers

A rash can be caused by irritated baby's skin due to substances in the diaper. For that, immediately change the diaper that is suspected of causing irritation.

5. Choose clothes that absorb sweat

The next way to treat diaper rash you can do by choosing the right clothing material for the baby. Clothes that are narrow can increase the friction on irritated skin. This will cause pain in the baby.

In addition, narrow clothes also make it easier for babies to sweat. As a result, the area around the baby's bottom will be damp and the irritation will get worse.

6. Let the baby's skin breathe

Allow 10 minutes for the baby to be free without diapers 3 times a day. You can do this while changing a diaper or while he is taking a nap.

In addition, you can trick this diaper rash by loosening the baby's diaper. That way, there is a gap for air to enter and keep the baby's skin dry.

7. Use products that are safe for baby's skin

Babies have sensitive skin so they get irritated easily. If the skin is already irritated, extra attention is needed in choosing care products for the skin.

This is one way to treat diaper rash and help the skin to heal faster.

The Mayo Clinic mentions several irritants on baby's skin that you should avoid, such as phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine, salicylates, and hydrogen borate.

8. Use the medicine according to the doctor's prescription

If the diaper rash is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, regular treatment will not treat the condition effectively. Infection as well as the development of bacteria and fungi must be stopped with antibiotics or antifungal drugs.

However, using this method to treat diaper rash cannot be arbitrary. Antibiotics can be used under a doctor's supervision, as can anti-fungal drugs.

This is done to prevent excessive doses that can lead to antibiotic resistance, namely bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, as well as side effects that make the baby uncomfortable.