Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.
DIAPER RASH
SYMPTOMS
• Redness over the diaper area around the genitals, buttocks, and thighs, but not on the abdomen.
• Tight, papery skin or skin that is shiny and bright red.
• A strong smell of ammonia.
• In boys, an inflamed penis.
WHAT IS DIAPER RASH
Almost all babies develop a diaper rash an inflammation of the skin on the buttocks genitals, and thighs at some in their young lives. Although a diaper rash may cause a bay discomfort and even some pain, it is rarely serious. Most cases are of short duration, lasting only three or four days. But sometimes a rash will persist, an indication that a secondary skin condition or infection has developed. Your baby can get diaper rash whether you use disposable or cloth diapers; moisture, not the diaper itself, is the culprit. Keeping your child clean and changing a diaper soon after it is soiled is the key to battling diaper rash.
CAUSES
Diaper rash can be cause by anything that irritates your baby’s sensitive skin. The most common source of problem is urine and stool left in contact with the skin for too long, but a rash can also be caused by inadequate drying of the baby’s skin after a bath or by an allergic reaction to lotions or soap used directly on the baby’s skin or to chemicals in the laundry detergent used to clean fabric diapers. Seborrhea, an inflammatory skin condition that affects the oil glands, can triggers a diaper rash as can thrush, a type of yeast infection. Babies receiving antibiotics for other illness are particularly susceptible to thrush related diaper rash because the drugs allow fugal growth. Eczema, an allergic skin condition, can also occur as a diaper rash in reaction to foods or other allergens.
TREATMENT
Most diaper rashes respond well to home treatments and require no medical care. If your baby’s rash fails to improve after three or four days, see a pediatrician. The rash should be diagnosed to rule out the presence of a more serious infection.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
For an ordinary rash, the doctor may recommend an over the counter ointment containing zinc oxide to protect the skin. If your child has developed a bacterial infection, a topical or oral antibiotic may be prescribed. For thrush, your pediatrician will prescribe an antifungal cream for the rash and possibly an oral antifungal liquid to clear up patches of thrush in your baby’s mouth. For diaper rashes involving seborrhea dermatitis or eczema, doctors sometimes prescribe Hydrocortisone cream. Over the counter hydrocortisone and antifungal creams are also available; however, you should check with your child’s pediatrician before using them instead of prescription creams.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
Alternative remedies can be very effective in treating and preventing common diaper rashes. Seek professional medical care, however, if your child’s rash does not improve within several days.
AROMATHERAPY
Mix 2 drops each of essential oils of Sandalwood, Peppermint, and Lavender in 4 tbsp of a carrier lotion or oil such as sweet almond oil; gently apply the lotion to the reddened area of skin.
HERBAL THERAPIES
Calendula cream may relieve diaper rash. Herbalists also recommend the following ointment, which you can make at home:
1 tbsp each: dried chickweed leaves, powdered marsh mallow root, and powdered comfrey root.
1/8 tsp goldenseal root powder.
1 cup sweet almond oil.
¼ cup beeswax.
In a cast iron pan, heat the herbs in the oil for 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t let them burn. Add beeswax and let it melt. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a jar with a tight fitting lid. Refrigerate until solid. Apply when you diaper your baby. The rash should improve after three or four applications. Discard after two months.
AT HOME REMEDIES
• At the first sign of redness, wash your baby bottom with warm water, and dry it thoroughly. Then apply an antiseptic cream and barrier ointment, such as zinc oxide, to protect the skin.
• Change your baby’s diaper as soon as it becomes soiled. Let your baby go without diapers as often as possible.
• Use disposable diaper liners, which allow urine to pass through to the diaper while keeping the baby’s skin dry.
• Until the rash clears up, avoid plastic pants or diaper covers, which trap moisture.
PREVENTION
You can’t prevent diaper rash, but you can limit its duration or severity by keeping your baby dry and clean and by changing the baby diaper as soon as it becomes soiled. Wash cloth diapers in hot water, use bleach or vinegar in the rinse water, and add extra rinse cycles to help kill bacteria and remove trace of soap. If the entire diaper area is red and irritated, the child may be allergic to your detergent. Try another brand to see if the rash clears. The best preventive measures is to let your baby go without diapers as much as possible.
DIAPER RASH
SYMPTOMS
• Redness over the diaper area around the genitals, buttocks, and thighs, but not on the abdomen.
• Tight, papery skin or skin that is shiny and bright red.
• A strong smell of ammonia.
• In boys, an inflamed penis.
WHAT IS DIAPER RASH
Almost all babies develop a diaper rash an inflammation of the skin on the buttocks genitals, and thighs at some in their young lives. Although a diaper rash may cause a bay discomfort and even some pain, it is rarely serious. Most cases are of short duration, lasting only three or four days. But sometimes a rash will persist, an indication that a secondary skin condition or infection has developed. Your baby can get diaper rash whether you use disposable or cloth diapers; moisture, not the diaper itself, is the culprit. Keeping your child clean and changing a diaper soon after it is soiled is the key to battling diaper rash.
CAUSES
Diaper rash can be cause by anything that irritates your baby’s sensitive skin. The most common source of problem is urine and stool left in contact with the skin for too long, but a rash can also be caused by inadequate drying of the baby’s skin after a bath or by an allergic reaction to lotions or soap used directly on the baby’s skin or to chemicals in the laundry detergent used to clean fabric diapers. Seborrhea, an inflammatory skin condition that affects the oil glands, can triggers a diaper rash as can thrush, a type of yeast infection. Babies receiving antibiotics for other illness are particularly susceptible to thrush related diaper rash because the drugs allow fugal growth. Eczema, an allergic skin condition, can also occur as a diaper rash in reaction to foods or other allergens.
TREATMENT
Most diaper rashes respond well to home treatments and require no medical care. If your baby’s rash fails to improve after three or four days, see a pediatrician. The rash should be diagnosed to rule out the presence of a more serious infection.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
For an ordinary rash, the doctor may recommend an over the counter ointment containing zinc oxide to protect the skin. If your child has developed a bacterial infection, a topical or oral antibiotic may be prescribed. For thrush, your pediatrician will prescribe an antifungal cream for the rash and possibly an oral antifungal liquid to clear up patches of thrush in your baby’s mouth. For diaper rashes involving seborrhea dermatitis or eczema, doctors sometimes prescribe Hydrocortisone cream. Over the counter hydrocortisone and antifungal creams are also available; however, you should check with your child’s pediatrician before using them instead of prescription creams.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
Alternative remedies can be very effective in treating and preventing common diaper rashes. Seek professional medical care, however, if your child’s rash does not improve within several days.
AROMATHERAPY
Mix 2 drops each of essential oils of Sandalwood, Peppermint, and Lavender in 4 tbsp of a carrier lotion or oil such as sweet almond oil; gently apply the lotion to the reddened area of skin.
HERBAL THERAPIES
Calendula cream may relieve diaper rash. Herbalists also recommend the following ointment, which you can make at home:
1 tbsp each: dried chickweed leaves, powdered marsh mallow root, and powdered comfrey root.
1/8 tsp goldenseal root powder.
1 cup sweet almond oil.
¼ cup beeswax.
In a cast iron pan, heat the herbs in the oil for 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t let them burn. Add beeswax and let it melt. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a jar with a tight fitting lid. Refrigerate until solid. Apply when you diaper your baby. The rash should improve after three or four applications. Discard after two months.
AT HOME REMEDIES
• At the first sign of redness, wash your baby bottom with warm water, and dry it thoroughly. Then apply an antiseptic cream and barrier ointment, such as zinc oxide, to protect the skin.
• Change your baby’s diaper as soon as it becomes soiled. Let your baby go without diapers as often as possible.
• Use disposable diaper liners, which allow urine to pass through to the diaper while keeping the baby’s skin dry.
• Until the rash clears up, avoid plastic pants or diaper covers, which trap moisture.
PREVENTION
You can’t prevent diaper rash, but you can limit its duration or severity by keeping your baby dry and clean and by changing the baby diaper as soon as it becomes soiled. Wash cloth diapers in hot water, use bleach or vinegar in the rinse water, and add extra rinse cycles to help kill bacteria and remove trace of soap. If the entire diaper area is red and irritated, the child may be allergic to your detergent. Try another brand to see if the rash clears. The best preventive measures is to let your baby go without diapers as much as possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment