If you haven’t already, eventually you will see diaper rash on your baby’s bottom.  While most parents feel guilty for “allowing” their baby to get a diaper rash, it is rarely due to neglect or poor hygiene.  Diaper rash varies in severity and can be caused by different factors.  Knowing what type of rash it is and how to treat it can help you give your baby the relief he needs.

Types of Diaper Rash
The most common form of diaper rash is contact dermatitis, which is fancy talk for skin irritation from being touched.  In other words, the diaper itself can irritate your baby’s skin.  Typically this appears in areas in direct contact with the diaper and not in the skin folds.

The second most common form of diaper rash is infection:  impetigo (bacterial) from staph or strep and Candida (yeast/fungal).  Impetigo appears as easily opened pustules, and Candida appears as tiny bumps in the folds of the labia and around the anus.

Finally, less common is allergic reaction.  Sometimes infants will react to fragrances in diapers and wipes.  These reactions are marked with well-defined redness.

Causes
Many external factors lead to diaper rash.  Constant irritation from the diaper itself, excess moisture from sweat or urine, and illness (diarrhea) are the most common culprits.

Treatment
Treating diaper rash depends on the severity of the rash and the cause.  Generally it is important to change diapers more frequently to keep your baby’s bottom as dry as possible and to remove the cause (moisture, illness, allergy).

When changing diapers, use a damp washcloth to clean baby, as the baby wipes can be more abrasive and irritating.  Better yet, bathe your baby with an antibacterial soap if you are at home.  This is especially important if your baby has diarrhea; the high acidity and bacteria burn baby’s skin and worsen the rash.

Air-drying when you are at home will greatly reduce the moisture trapped in your baby’s diaper and help clear up the rash.  Doctor’s discourage using loose baby powder because it can lead to respiratory problems, but there are alternatives.

If it’s not too painful, applying zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to the rash can create a barrier against moisture and prevent further irritation from chaffing.

Prevention
The best way to prevent diaper rash is by keeping your baby’s bottom as dry as possible.  Frequent diaper changes and applying a liberal amount of zinc oxide to her bottom at night are helpful.  Also, consider switching diapers if your baby develops a rash.  The diaper may have an irritant or may not wick away moisture properly.