Diaper Rash: Symptoms and Causes

Diaper rash is a condition that is characterized by redness of the baby’s bottom. It is often linked to diaper wetness if you delay in changing a baby or if the baby’s skin is sensitive to certain types of diapers.  

The symptoms range from red bottom to unusually tender-looking skin on the baby’s genitals or buttocks. Besides, the baby tends cry a lot and convey discomfort during diaper changing or when you touch the diaper area.

What Causes Diaper Rash?

Sensitive skin: if the baby’s skin is characterized by eczema or atopic dermatitis, the baby may get irritated around the diaper area.

Delayed diaper changing: prolonged delay in diaper changing may cause irritation of the baby’s skin. If the baby is experiencing constant bowel movements without diaper changing, the waste is likely to irritate the sensitive skin.

Diaper components: if you are using disposable diapers, then there are high chances that your baby will be vulnerable to diaper rash unless you invest in diapers that are squarely designed for sensitive skins. That’s because these diapers contain compositions of fragrances and dyes that cause irritation.

Your baby may also be susceptible to diaper rash if you’re utilizing powders, lotions or dies that are unfriendly to gentle skins.

Consumption of solid foods: the composition of your baby’s wastes changes with the introduction of new or solid foods increasing the likely hood of diaper rashes. Frequent bowel movements as a result of the consumption of solid food may also lead to diaper rash. 

Consequently, breast-fed babies who are allergic to what a mom is consuming may respond with diaper rash as symptoms.

Infection by bacteria or fungi

Delay in diaper changing allows the diaper moisture to create a conducive environment for the growth of fungi or bacteria. The warm-moist area may start developing some red spots or patches around regions usually covered by diapers and within the creases of the sensitive skin.

Tight diapers

If the diapers are tight, they rub against the sensitive skin leading to a rash.

How to Prevent Diaper Rash

Use the right diaper size: do not use a too tight diaper as this prevents the circulation of air on the baby’s genitals. Constant airflow dries the moisture around reducing the possibility of a diaper rash. Besides, a comfortable diaper will not rub against the sensitive skin.

Change the diapers every often: most disposable diapers are made with a wetness indicator to signal to you when the baby is wet. Do not wait too long to change the diaper.

Use warm water to wipe the baby’s bottom: a moisturized cotton wool, wash-cloth or baby wipes will do well in cleaning the sensitive skin. Be gentle and avoid fragrance or alcohol. If necessary, use a mild soap that is free from fragrance.

Occasionally, let your baby stay without a diaper: keeping your baby without diaper is a great way to dry moisture that build-up on skin to counter the probability of diaper rash formation.

Apply ointment after diaper change: the ointments act as a barrier protecting the skin from irritation. For diaper ointments, you can choose between zinc oxide and petroleum jelly.

Home Remedies for Diaper Rash

Only see a doctor if:

The skin bleeds or oozes

The rash gets severe and does not heal with home remedies

The rash is painful and burning when urinating or during bowel movement

Disposable vs. Cloth Diapers: The Diaper Debate

The very heated argument amongst moms has been whether to invest in disposable or cloth diapers. Some moms ascertain that cloth diapers are the best for diapers blowouts while others consider the later to be the best.

However, the fact is there is no such thing as best diaper and the best thing to do is to try every diaper type and identify the one that works for your baby.

In most cases, the decision to choose cloth diapers or disposable diapers is based on the following factors:

Absorbency and breathable

This is the ability of a diaper to retain a lot of soils and wetness and for a long time without leaking. Cloth diapers are the best for absorbency because they are thicker and larger when compared to disposable diapers.

If your baby is prone to blowouts and skin sensitivity, cloth diapers are the best ones although there are other factors that warrant blowouts diaper size and consumed food.

Disposable diapers are more breathable but the absorbent chemicals are irritant to some babies. They increase the risk of diaper rash that is characterized by bottom redness.

Health issues

One major issue with disposable diapers is the potentially harmful chemicals that make up the diaper. These diapers contain a composition of SAP, dioxins, phthalates, dyes, and fragrances. 

Although some of these chemicals are not scientifically proven to be utter harmful, some parents think that the chemicals are not thoroughly tested as safe for the baby’s skin.

Some are claimed to contain traces of cancer-causing chemicals while others like dioxins are linked with the damage of reproductive and immune system. Fragrances on the other hand are famous in causing skin rash and respiratory problems.

Time

The major constraint amongst moms who vouch for disposable diapers is time. The imagination of the huge laundry after use is the major reason why cloth diapers are written off.

To most moms, cloth diapers is some kind of extra work because of the inconvenience of having to clean them.

Your budget

Cloth diapers are pretty expensive at first but are the best if you are not well off. The reason why i love cloth diapers is because you don't have to buy diapers again as you can use the same diapers with more than one baby in a family.

However, you have to go for one-size hybrid style that is known to be long life. The major drawback is that these diapers have upfront costs on washing if you’re a working mom.

Disposable diapers on the other hand means you have to use a new diaper every time you change the baby and that means they can be an extra budget if you're not well off.

Lifestyle and class

For most families, the choice of one diaper size over the other is based on class. In most cases, families that are not well off will invest in cloth diapers because they’re durable and can be washed for the next use. To many moms, disposable diapers is some kind of class in the modern world.

Top Reasons Why Cloth Diapers are Better that Diaposable Diapers

Either way, there is little difference between the cloth vs the disposable diapers. The best thing when bringing up a child is to invest in your choice of diaper type and always change the baby as soon as they get wet to keep their bottom clean, healthy and as dry as possible.