Diaper rash may be defined as a cutaneous eruption of skin characterized by skin inflammation and irritation. It is also known as diaper dermatitis or nappy dermatitis affects the diaper wearing infants and toddlers. Though there may be a number of causes of diaper rash, but the friction of delicate skin of the baby with the hem of tight-fitting diapers is the leading cause. It results in contact irritation. If diapers are wet, fungus and bacteria thrive in the warm moist environment exacerbating diaper rash.Contamination from excreta heightens eruption. It is common in creases or folds of skin in the diaper-wearing region such as between buttocks, between scrotums or within the thigh hinge. Initially the rash appears in the form of tiny red bumps accompanied by intense itching. Gradually the dots develop in to painful red scaly patches and glistened sore blisters. The rash may occur either in sporadic or concentrated manner. Diaper rash irritates the otherwise carefree, jolly baby making him or her cry all the time.
The causes of rash may be one or few of these:
1. Prolonged wearing of unclean diapers soaked in urine or soiled by fecal matter.
2. Friction caused by air-tight poor quality diapers
3. Usage of certain detergents or baby wipes that are harsh on the baby's sensitive skin.
4. Allergic reaction of skin to certain fragrances or components present in disposable diapers.
5. Hot water immersion for prolonged periods.
6. Bacterial infection (caused by Staph or Strep)
7. Yeast/Fungal infection (caused by Candida ablicans)
8. Babies' intake of antibiotics
9. Metabolic deficiency
10. Nutritional deficiency
11. Immunodeficiency
12. Skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and eczema
13. Introduction of new baby food. 14. Diarrhea 15. Teething
Home Remedies for Diaper Rash
1. Pat the baby's butt with well-whipped, foamy egg white. Let it dry until it forms a thin coat on the butt. Practice this before making the baby wear diaper. The thin film of egg white will allow skin to breathe and will help to regenerate skin tissue damaged by diaper rash.
2. Dip cloth diaper in vinegar for the final rinse. This brings the PH of cloth diaper at par with that of the baby's skin, and thus prevents rash outbreak.
3. Mix 1 part vinegar in 10 parts of water. Wipe the baby's bottom with a cotton ball soaked in the mixture. This checks diaper rash.
4. Mix one tablespoon dried oatmeal in to the baby's bath water. This protects the skin against diaper rash.
5. Application of olive oil on rashes is an effective home remedy.
6. Massaging the baby's bum with coconut oil or sesame oil prevents friction and occurrence of diaper rash.
7. Mix little butter with an herbal baby powder and apply on the baby's bottom. This soothes rash irritation.
8. Sprinkle corn starch on the baby's back. This heals rash problem quickly.
9. Use baked flour as a powder on baby's skin to cure rash.
10. Wipe the baby's bottom with extracts of calendula to cure this problem.
11. Application of cod liver oil or shark liver oil soothes and heals diaper rash.
12. Apply milk of magnesia on the baby's butt to do away with rash.
13. Mix Vaseline with Aloe Vera gel and apply on rashes. This soothes rashes and forms a waterproof coat between the baby's skin and diaper, thereby reducing this rash.
Check for white patches on your baby's tongue to diagnose thrash/yeast infection.
In case of yeast infection, avoid foods high in acidity and increase the intake of probiotics/alkaline foods.
For eg. Avoid eggs, excessive milk and add garlic, onion, plain yoghurt, green vegetables to the kid's diet.
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