Importance Of Changing Diapers Frequently
Diaper Rash Causes – Waiting To Change A Dirty Diaper
Baby diaper rash occurs from time to time. The moisture and friction between your baby’s skin and the diaper can leave the red and irritated skin in its wake. The effects can be mild to severe depending on how fast you treat the problem.
So what is diaper rash exactly? It’s a common skin condition that most babies have when their skin is often exposed to moisture, heat, and friction. Diaper rash in babies tends to appear red, scaly, inflamed and in some instances, weeping sores. Usually, these rashes disappear by modifying your diapering routine. [1]
Red diaper rash can range from slight to severe and can appear even on skin folds making it difficult for your baby to find comfort. It is always a good idea to determine how they look so you will know what to expect.
- Slight rashes – Small red dots that appear on a small area in the diaper area.
- Mild rashes – A pink area on the skin with a few raised bumps.
- Moderate rashes – A larger pink area on the skin with papules appearing.
- Moderate to severe rashes – The affected area is red and peeling. (The pediatrician should be called.)
- Severe rashes – A large red area on your baby’s bottom, in the skin folds, and perhaps on the legs. The area has raised bumps that contain fluids. (This must be treated as soon as possible to prevent further health issues, especially in these extreme cases.)
Diaper Rash Causes – Waiting To Change A Diaper Can Cause A Yeast Infection
Yeast infections trigger some rashes. A yeast diaper rash is often caused by the fungus, candida which thrives in warm and moist places such as in the presence of a wet diaper or a baby’s skin folds. Yeast rashes can also be triggered by antibiotics given to babies or by the mother should she be breastfeeding. Other causes include acids in the stool, frequent bowel movements, allergy due to certain soaps, and very tight diapers. [2]
Signs and symptoms of a yeast infection in babies;
- Bright pink or red rash that tends to be scaly.
- Raised red spots or pustules.
- Pain, discomfort, and severe stinging in the nipples in women
- Nipples may have tiny blisters, scaly, or weepy.
If you notice any of these symptoms on you or your baby’s skin, the culprit may be a yeast infection and should be treated as soon as possible.
What are ways of treating a yeast infection? Well, there are several ways in which you can treat this problem. Here are a few that you should try.
Coconut oil
If you are looking for a way to treat diaper rash that is triggered by yeast is to use coconut oil. You can also apply chilled coconut oil on the affected area to help soothe the rashes.[3]
Antifungal cream
There are antifungal creams that can be applied on the rashes. Your pediatrician should prescribe these. You will need to follow the instructions on how to use these products to ensure that you are not making the problem worse. [4]
Baking soda
A combination of baking soda and water to create a paste can help soothe the lesions that have appeared on your baby’s skin. Do this before giving bathing your baby so you can wash, dry and clean the area afterward.
Diaper Rash Causes – Chafing Sensitive Skin
Another possible effect that may be caused by leaving your baby’s soiled diaper on for too long is that it can actually cause chafing whenever your baby moves. This can lead to the skin being red, raw, and weepy because of the moisture that is trapped between the diaper and the skin. The constant rubbing can lead to discomfort in babies which make them cranky. It may be that your baby is wearing too tight a diaper that is causing this constant friction or perhaps the acidity of the urine leaves their skin raw. Whatever the cause, chafed skin in babies is not really a good thing as it can lead to more skin issues.
The good news is that diaper rash cream is very effective for chafing skin. MADE OF Diaper Rash Cream is completely organic and made of only natural ingredients. Its soothing essential oils can speed up the healing process. There are other ways for you to reduce chafing skin.
Go nappy free
If you want to alleviate chafing diaper rash, allow your baby to be nappy free for several minutes every day and when you see any reddened areas. This helps air dry your baby’s skin and can keep infections at bay. Do this after giving your little one a bath or after wiping their skin down. [6]
Get the right fit
It is possible that you are making your baby wear the wrong sized diaper which can lead to constant chafing. Add to this the fact that you are not changing their nappy frequently and what you get is raw and red looking skin. Make sure that you choose the right fit next time.
Dry skin completely
Make sure that you dry the skin completely before you put on a fresh diaper. Moisture can increase the chafing in the skin and diaper. When cleaning your baby, use wipes that are alcohol-free to reduce skin irritation. MADE OF has organic baby wipes that are made with natural ingredients that is perfect for your baby’s sensitive skin.
Diaper Rash Causes – Waiting To Change A Diaper Can Cause Bladder Infections
It is also possible that you are exposing your baby to a bladder infection when you are not changing their diapers all the time. This can happen when bacteria from the urine and bowel movements are absorbed in the diaper. They can be transferred to the skin near the baby’s orifice and transferred to the urinary tract. A possible bladder infection in a baby should be treated as soon as possible so that they will be able to urinate without discomfort and to avoid complications. [7]
What are the signs of a bladder infection in babies? The most common signs of a bladder infection in a baby is fever, fussiness, little interest in eating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Perhaps, the urine may be foul-smelling. Should you suspect your baby has a bladder infection, a trip to the pediatrician is necessary. The MD will prescribe the required medication to treat it.
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why you should make it a point to change your baby’s diaper frequently and ensure their skin dry before putting on the next diaper.
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Diaper Rash Causes Resources:
[1] Kids Health from Nemours; What Is Diaper Rash?, Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD, June 2018.
[2] Very Well Family; How to Recognize and Treat a Yeast Diaper Rash, Jennifer White, September 30, 2018.
[3] Worth Wellness; Coconut Oil For Yeast Infection In Babies.
[4][5] Parents; How do I treat a yeast infection diaper rash?, 2009.
[6] Momtastic; Diapers chafing newborn inner thighs, and diaper rash.
[7] Baby Center; Urinary tract infection in babies.
[8] WebMD; If Your Child Gets a UTI, Amita Shroff, MD, January 30, 2017.
