Diaper rash is the most common rash in babies.
It is caused by contact with urine for a long time or contact with chemicals,
soaps, or detergents in the diaper. Rubber or plastic diaper pants allow
the chemicals to irritate the skin. Diarrhea also may make an infant more
likely to get a diaper rash. Often, there is also an infection with a yeast.
How can I keep my baby from getting diaper rash?
Keep the diaper area as dry as possible by changing
the diapers often. Both cloth diapers and disposable diapers must be changed
frequently.
If your child is 6 to 12 months old, change the
diaper 1 hour after the child goes to sleep at night. Avoid rubber or plastic
diaper pants.
Try to let your baby go without any diaper as
often as possible.
How should I wash my child's diaper area?
Wash the area gently with warm water after each
diaper change.
Do not use soap if the diaper area is raw or sore.
use a soap substitute, such as Cetaphil or Aquanil, in these cases.
Are there any creams I can use?
Use creams with zinc oxide, such as Desitin or
Flanders, with each diaper change.
Your physician may give you a prescription cream.
Do not leave the cream on the surface; rub it in until it is gone.
How long should it take before it gets better?
The rash should be better within a few days and
gone in 2 weeks. Let your physician know if the rash is not getting better.
You may need a different cream or medicine.