How to Get Rid of Diaper Rash on 5 Month Baby

Everything you need to know to treat—and prevent—that dreaded diaper rash

By Katie Sweeney

Special thanks to Michael Cosimini, Doc, for contributing to this article.

If your child is in diapers, at some indicate you will probably bargain with a diaper rash. At least one-half of all babies develop diaper rash.

Just while diaper rash is a mutual trouble, there is plenty yous can do to help your baby. With a few simple steps, you lot can soothe that skin, speed healing—and help prevent another rash in the time to come.

What causes diaper rash?

The ii biggest causes are wetness and friction. Basically, urine and stool from the diaper can irritate your baby'due south pare over time. Diapers can also chafe or rub against your infant's lesser, creating friction.

Changes in the pH of the skin from pee, poop or some pare products tin cause rash.

In addition, soaps can break down skin over time, just as they break down germs and dirt. And, rarely, babies can be allergic to a specific ingredient in a diaper, wipe or soap.

While diaper rash can occur at any age, it is nearly common in babies nine to 12 months sometime. It is besides more likely to happen when your baby:

• Starts eating solid foods
• Begins sleeping through the night (with fewer diaper changes)
• Has a common cold or diarrhea
• Is taking antibiotics

Tips for treating diaper rash

A diaper rash can range from mild to severe. With a mild rash, yous might see small pink or red spots or patches. In more severe cases, the spots will be brighter red, or the pare may exist cracked, broken or blistered. The rash may spread down to the legs or upward the abdomen, and your baby may be crying or in distress.

The sooner you kickoff treating the rash, the ameliorate. Beneath are some time-tested tips to help that diaper rash disappear. These aforementioned tips tin also assistance foreclose future rashes, or at to the lowest degree make them less frequent and less severe.

• Ditch the diaper. Giving your baby some "naked time" out of diapers can aid speed the healing process. Basically, this allows babies to stay dry and avoid friction, so their skin can breathe.

  One idea is to buy disposable waterproof pads (sometimes called "chux") and let the baby play on that pad without a diaper. Or, remove the diaper when your baby is sleeping. The more fourth dimension with the diaper off, the meliorate, especially in severe cases.

• Change diapers more often. Don't allow your infant sit down long in a wet or soiled diaper. Irresolute diapers often is a adept way to preclude diaper rash or decrease its severity. Yeast loves to grow in warm wet areas and so keeping the area dry can prevent rash from these infections.

• Use a barrier cream—and use a lot of it. A barrier foam protects your babe'south skin from urine and stool. A zinc oxide cream or a petroleum jelly ointment are skillful options. You can also apply these creams to try to forestall a rash in the showtime place.

  The key? When the baby has a rash, employ a very thick layer of it—similar icing on a cake. Many parents under-apply these creams.

• Be gentle when you clean. You want to reduce the friction on your baby'south lesser, and then don't scrub or rub your infant clean. Gently pat the pare with a soft washcloth in warm water, or dip the baby briefly in a bath. Pat dry with a towel—don't rub.

  Warm water is ofttimes plenty to make clean pee and poop. Soaps can be difficult on babies' pare; if warm water is not enough, use a non-lather cleanser (nearly "baby washes" fall into this category). If y'all use baby wipes, choose ones that are free of dyes, scents and alcohol.

• Switch to disposable diapers. If your baby is currently in textile diapers, it's a expert thought to switch to super-absorbent dispensable diapers until the rash is healed. This will aid keep your baby's skin as dry as possible.

• Check the size. Make sure the diaper fits. A diaper that is too big can rub back and forth on your babe's lesser. If it'south too small, it traps in moisture and brings the pee and poop also close to the skin.

When to phone call the doctor

Near balmy diaper rashes can exist treated at home. It might take a few weeks for the rash to completely become abroad. Merely it should start to meliorate afterwards just a few days of post-obit the above tips.

If your child's rash is severe or does not improve after several days or gets worse, call your dr.. A fungal infection might be involved. Your child'south doctor might give you a fungal medicine or a mild steroid cream.

You should as well call the doctor if your child:

• Has a fever (over 100.iv) with the rash
• Has bruises, bleeding or open up sores in the expanse
• Is in a lot of pain or discomfort
• Is losing weight or seems sick

Diaper rash is a normal part of babyhood, but your baby doesn't have to endure. Watch for rashes and so you can care for them early. And if you have whatsoever concerns, telephone call your doctor.

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Source: https://www.chla.org/blog/health-and-safety-tips/how-heal-your-baby-s-diaper-rash

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