Diaper rash may not be a serious condition, but it can be extremely painful. It is common and causes concern for many parents trying to comfort their children.
“Diaper rash is caused by the skin’s reaction to irritants such as excessive moisture, lotions, wipes, diapers, or a child’s waste,” said Bridget Boyd, M.D., director of the newborn nursery at Loyola University Medical Center and assistant professor of pediatrics at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.
According to Boyd, babies who have a liquid diet are more prone to diaper rash since they tend to produce looser stool.
“I recommend that parents put a barrier cream with zinc oxide on a baby’s bottom with each diaper change during times of frequent stools. This keeps a barrier between the child’s skin and the moisture that causes the irritation,” Boyd said. “When choosing a cream make sure it’s thick. In this case, the thicker the better.”
Diaper rash may appear when a baby’s skin is touched by a new product such as lotion, a new brand of paper diapers, or wipes.
“If you’ve tried a new product on the baby’s skin and notice a rash, go back to the old product for a few days. Then, try the new product again. If the rash happens again, don’t use the new product,” Boyd said.
She also suggests parents stay away from wipes with alcohol or fragrances, as they tend to irritate the skin.
“Even wipes that are marketed for use on sensitive skin can still irritate fragile skin, so if your child has diaper rash try to avoid the use of any wipes. Instead, use a small squeeze water bottle with warm water to clean the bottom and pat dry with a soft, clean washcloth,” Boyd said.
