What is Diaper Rash?
Diaper rashes refer to any skin irritations that occur on the baby´s bottom and genital area, the areas that are exposed to the diaper. This is a very common skin problem among babies, and especially for babies with very sensitive skin. The entire area that is covered by diapers is prone to irritation from a variety of sources, and is together, called diaper rash.
- Diapers can be breeding grounds for numerous irritants for a baby´s sensitive skin. Bacteria, urine, and stool can proliferate, and the diaper itself can contain plastics, detergents or fragrances, which the baby´s skin may be sensitive to.
- Repeated friction between the baby´s skin and the diaper can also cause irritation. The baby will often have reddened skin around the thighs and abdomen at the border of the diapers. Heat and moisture can aggravate this further.
- When the baby´s bottom is wet for too long, the baby´s bottom, the thighs, and genital areas will become red and puffy.
- Stool irritation should be suspected if the baby´s skin around the anus become bright red, immediately after introducing solid foods to their diet.
The good news is that most diaper rashes are relatively mild and easy to treat, if proper steps are taken. More important, taking a few preventative steps can greatly reduce the chance that your baby will suffer from diaper rashes. To reduce the risk of diaper rashes, change your baby´s diapers often, and keep some diaper free time for your baby. Constantly being exposed to the moisture and friction may be too irritating for your baby´s skin. If you notice a diaper rash, it may be a good idea to change the brand or the type of diaper that you buy, as it may be the source of irritation itself.
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