Diaper Rash
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it? Diaper rash is a problem for babies and young children who wear diapers. It happens most often in children between nine to twelve months old, but may appear at any age. With good skin care, most diaper rashes clear up within a few days. If the rash is caused by certain skin problems or a skin infection, it will need treatment by a caregiver.
What causes a diaper rash?
- Irritated skin: Your child may have a rash because his diapers are not changed often enough. Having urine or bowel movements (BMs) on your child's skin for too long will irritate it. Your child may be sensitive or allergic to chemicals or perfumes in soaps, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, or lotions. Your child may get a rash because he is trying new juices or foods, or if he has diarrhea (di-uh-REE-uh). Hot, humid weather may make the rash worse.
- Germs: Your child's rash may be caused by germs such as bacteria (bak-TEER-e-uh) or yeast (yeest). Some children get a rash caused by yeast after they have taken antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks).
- Skin problems: Your child's rash may be caused by allergies or skin problems like seborrhea (seh-buh-RE-uh) or eczema (EGG-zih-muh).
What are the signs and symptoms? Your child's diaper area (his bottom) may be red and shiny, or raw and sore. His skin may be itchy, scaly, or have raised bumps. Your child may have scattered spots, or they may be grouped together. The rash may be located just on the skin surface, or just in the skin folds. It may also spread over the skin surface and into skin folds.
How can I help my child's diaper rash to go away? It is important to keep your child's diaper area clean and dry to let the area heal.
- Change your child's diapers often. Change your child's diaper right away if it is wet or soiled from a BM. Check your child's diaper every hour during the day, and at least once during the night.
- Clean your child's diaper area with plain, warm water. Use a squirt bottle, wet cotton balls, or a moist, soft cloth to clean your child's diaper area. Allow the skin to air dry, or gently pat it dry with a clean cloth. Do not use baby wipes or soap during diaper changes. This may cause the rash area to burn or sting. Before closing the new diaper, make sure your child's bottom is completely dry.
- Leave your child's bottom open to air as much as possible. Do this during naps, after BMs, and during quiet times when you are playing with your child. Remember to place a large towel or pad underneath your child.
- Do not rub or scrub the diaper rash. This could make your child's skin worse.
- Protect your child's skin with cream or ointment. If your child has diarrhea or his bottom is dry and cracked, try zinc oxide or petroleum jelly. These items can be bought at grocery or drug stores. Make sure your child's bottom is clean and dry before applying cream or ointment. You do not need to clean these ointments completely off between diaper changes. If your child has a BM, wipe off all BM and cream covered with BM. Use mineral oil if you need to completely remove zinc oxide cream.
- Put super absorbent disposable diapers on your child. These diapers pull moisture (wetness) away from your child's skin so it will not be as irritated. If your child wears cloth diapers, use a stay-dry-liner to help pull moisture away from the skin.
What can I do if my child wears cloth diapers? Presoak all diapers that have BM on them. Wash diapers in hot water and mild laundry soap. Rinse them at least two times to get rid of extra laundry soap. Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets. You may need to change laundry soap if you think it is causing the rash. Try not to use plastic pants. If you must use plastic pants, attach them loosely around the diaper. This will help air flow in and out of the diaper and keep your child's skin drier.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.
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