Causes Of Diaper Rash
- Posted by MetropolisMom on September 6th, 2008 filed in Baby Tips
Will using a cloth diaper instead of a disposeable one help prevent your baby’s diaper rash? If your baby has recurring diaper rashes, it sometimes helps to switch a different type or brand of diaper.
According to Paul Qaqundah, M.D., professor of pediatrics of the University of California, Irvine, “The most common coause of diaper rash is leaving a soiled diaper on a baby for too long.”
Moisture from urine and stool, compounded by the lack of air, makes the skin more susceptible to chafing, irritation, and inflammation.
To treat diaper rash and reduce the risk of recurrence, Qaqundah suggests, change your baby’s diaper as soon as you were aware that he is wet or has had a bowel movement. You do not have to check at night unless your baby wakes up anyway, but be sure to change him first thing in the morning.
When your baby urinates, clean the diaper area with a soft wet cloth or cotton balls and water. When he has a bowel movement, clean him with water and a small amount of baby soap. Then let his skin dry thoroughly before you apply a protective diaper-rash ointment. It is also a good idea to let your baby go without a diaper for an hour or two each day to expose his bottom to air.
But do not apply the ointment unless you are about to put a diaper back on. If your baby’s rash persists longer than two or three days, or if skin is very inflamed, consult your pediatrician. He or she might prescribe a hydrocortisone cream or check other causes.
Leave a Comment