Diaper Rash

The Babble Staff

Diaper rash happens: most babies will suffer one at some point in their diaper-wearing career. Chaffing or contact allergies can be culprits, but most often the cause is simply wetness — chemicals and enzymes in urine and stools can constitute quite the toxic cocktail when left to marinate a soft baby's bottom. Introduction to solid foods is one common trigger of diaper rash, antibiotics another, but diaper rash can occur at any time a child is in diapers. The basic prescription for treating and avoiding diaper rash is to keep the diaper area as clean, cool and dry as possible. This means changing diapers often, washing the diaper area with water, carefully dabbing it dry with a clean towel and letting baby air it out whenever possible. When it comes to diaper rash there is no clear advantage of cloth diapers over disposable or vice versa, so go with your preference on that one, though experts say you should avoid diapers that are too tight-fitting as well as any plastic or rubber pants. If the rash persists you might want to see if changing wipes or diapers makes a difference.

"When your beautiful baby is born, her skin is often perfect in every way. It is softer and smoother than it will ever be again. You are dismayed when she wakes up and her bottom is red and irritated when you change her diaper. What happened! What did you do wrong? Absolutely nothing! Having a diaper rash is a normal part of being a baby. There are many ways you can limit the amount of rash, but from time to time it will flare up again. " ...read the full article

"Diapers were a wonderful invention, controlling infants' waste products in a relatively convenient, clean, and healthy way. Still, ever since children began to wear diapers, diaper rash has been the most common skin disorder of infancy." ...read the full article

"Your baby's rash is most likely caused by chafing or wetness, though it can also be the result of a skin infection. Don't panic -- dealing with diaper rash is part and parcel of baby care. In fact, more than half of babies between the ages of 4 and 15 months have at least one diaper rash in a two-month period." ...read the full article

"Most infants develop a diaper rash at some time or another; some even arrive home from the hospital with a slight rash. Diaper rash may be more common after solid foods are added to your baby's diet or when your baby is taking antibiotics. Other factors that can lead to diaper rash include continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea and the use of plastic pants to cover a diaper." ...read the full article

"Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation. Irritation can be caused by diapers that rub against the skin, fit too tightly or are left on for too long. Your baby's skin can also be irritated by the soap used to wash cloth diapers, or by some brands of disposable diapers or baby wipes." ...read the full article