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Causes Of Baby Diaper Rash And When To Seek Medical Advice

Diaper rash usually looks like a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby’s bottom. Most babies develop a diaper rash sometime or another. Times diaper rash may appear most often are:

•After solid foods are added to your baby’s diet
•When your baby is taking antibiotics
•When diapers are changed infrequently

Diaper rashes are more common in babies during their first 15 months or anytime your baby wears diapers. Other factors that contribute to diaper rash may include:

•Diarrhea
•Use of plastic pants to cover a diaper

The good news about most diaper rashes is most cases disappear after a few days with home treatment.

Signs and symptoms of diaper rash include:

•Red, puffy and sometimes slightly warmer skin in the diaper region, buttocks, thighs and genitals
•Baby may seem more uncomfortable than usual especially during diaper changes
•Pain from a diaper rash often makes a baby fuss or cry when the diaper area is washed or touched

Causes for diaper rash

If a baby is forced to wear diapers soiled with urine or feces for long periods of time, he or she can experience irritation. A baby’s skin is usually quite sensitive, but even an adult who would wear an undergarment soiled with urine or feces for long periods of time would eventually experience irritation.

Sometimes when babies start to eat solid foods, the content of their stool changes and can increase the likelihood of diaper rash. Changes in baby’s diet can lead to increased frequency of stools, which can cause diaper rash. Breast-fed babies may develop diaper rash in response to something you have eaten.

New products such as a new brand of disposable wipes, diaper or detergent can irritate baby’s bottom. Even the type of detergent or fabric softener you use could be the cause.

Other substances that can add to the problem of diaper rash include ingredients found in:

•Baby lotions
•Baby powders
•Baby oils

The diaper rash can begin as a simple skin infection then spread to the surrounding regions within the creases of the skin turning into a bacterial or yeast infection.

Be careful about the fit of diapers and clothing. Tight fitting diapers and clothing which rubs against the skin can lead to diaper rash.

If your baby’s diaper rash does not improve within several days of home treatment and more frequent diaper changes, ask your health care provider for advice. If the diaper rash leads to a secondary infection it may require prescription medications. If diaper rash occurs with any of the following, have your child examined by a health care provider:

•Fever
•Blisters or boils
•A rash that extends beyond the diaper area
•Pus or weeping discharge
•Rashes that don’t respond to home treatment

Source: Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to republish with the resource box.

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