Tips for Treating Diaper Rash

Most infants get diaper rash at least once in the first year of their life. While it may not be possible to prevent it occurrence completely, there are ways to minimise it. Here are tips for preventing and treating it:

- Always wash your hands well before and after each diaper change

- Change diapers frequently, at least every two hours for newborns. Check often for soiled diapers and change them at once

- Before and after naps, let baby go diaper-less for a few minutes, to allow baby’s skin to breathe.

- Wash cloth diapers with mild detergent and rinse them twice. Don’t use bleach or fabric softeners

- Ensure baby’s bottom is clean and dry before putting on a fresh diaper. Pat dry with a soft towel or tissue

- Put the diaper on snugly but not too tightly to prevent chafing of skin.

- Avoid using cleansers or wet wipes with alcohol or propylene glycol on newborn’s skin, especially when they have diaper rash. These may burn the skin. Warm water and cotton wool are sufficient.

- Apply a diaper cream containing zinc oxide. This will soothe baby’s skin. 

- Do not use baby powder while a rash is present. The powder will build up in the skin creases and hold moisture, helping bacteria grow and causing an infection.

- If it doesn’t get better after three days of care, call your doctor. Also call him if red patches, spots or bumps start to show up outside the diaper area as your child might have an infection.