Diaper rash or diaper dermatitis is skin irritation or a red rash that occurs in the area that is in contact with a diaper such as inner thighs, buttocks. Wet or soiled diaper are the main cause of a diaper rash. It can often occur when a baby's skin is exposed to prolonged wetness, friction, or irritation from urine and feces in diapers. It can cause redness, irritation, and discomfort for your baby.
How to get rid of a diaper rash in 24 hours?
Diaper rash is the most common kind of skin problem that affects infants and can be caused by various factors, such as wet or dirty diapers, allergies, infections, or sensitive skin. To get rid of a diaper rash in 24 hours, you can try the following steps:
- Change diapers frequently and as soon as they are wet or soiled. This will help keep the skin clean and dry.
- Rinse the baby's bottom with warm water and gently pat it dry. Avoid using wipes, soaps, or other products that may irritate the skin.
- Apply a barrier cream, paste, or ointment that contains zinc oxide or petroleum jelly. This will protect the skin from moisture and friction.
- Let the baby's skin breathe by leaving the diaper off for some time or using loose-fitting diapers or clothes.
- Give the baby a warm bath with baking soda or cornstarch. This will help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.
If the diaper rash does not improve or shows signs of infection, such as fever, pus, or bleeding, you should consult a doctor or a health care professional. They may prescribe a mild steroid cream, an antifungal cream, or an antibiotic medicine depending on the cause of the rash.
How to treat a diaper rash successfully at home?
- Generally, a diaper rash can be treated successfully at home with these practices:
Keep your baby's diaper area clean and dry by changing wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible. You can use disposable diapers containing an absorbent gel that draws wetness away from the skin. - Use a sink, tub, or water bottle to Rinse your baby's diaper area with warm water as part of each diaper change. Don't use wipes containing alcohol or fragrance and be careful as baby wipes can be irritating.
- Keep baby's bottom area dry with a clean towel or let it air dry. Avoid scrubbing your baby's bottom and using talcum powder.
- Apply cream, paste or ointment with a high percentage of zinc oxide or petroleum jelly after gently cleaning and drying the skin of diaper area to protect the skin from moisture. A + D, Balmex, Desitin,Triple Paste etc. can be used to treat diaper rash and they are available without a prescription. To keep the diaper from sticking to the paste, ointment, or cream, apply petroleum jelly on top of the diaper rash product. If the rash isn't better in 5 to 7 days, take your baby to the doctor.
- Avoid products that contain baking soda, boric acid, camphor, phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine, or salicylates. Rather always use items designed for barbies as these compounds can be harmful for babies.
- Avoid tightfitting diapers and use larger diapers to increase air exposure to the diaper region until the rash goes away.
- Give your baby a bath daily using warm water with mild, fragrance-free soap or a gentle non-soap cleanser until the rash goes away.
- Don't use baby products (baby wipes, disposable diapers, laundry soap) that may trigger your baby's rash. Use a different brand of the product you think might be causing the problem.
A diaper rash is most common in babies and infants and most often affect babies between nine months and one year. Diaper rashes are not contagious but it is important to wash your hands thoroughly after diaper changes. If symptoms get worse or do not improve within a few days, a doctor may recommend using other medication. They usually recommend a mild steroid cream, an antifungal cream, or an antibiotic medicine depending on the cause of the rash.