Most infants between the ages of 0 to 12 months have at least one occurrence
of a diaper rash. Rashes on little bottoms can be caused by extended contact
with stool or urine, yeast, allergy, eczema, seborrhea or infection.
A rash caused by irritation resembles sunburn that is pink or red in color. Yeast rashes are typically bright or dark red and become worse in warm, damp skin folds or creases. Candida yeast organisms not only affect women, they can affect the digestive system as well. Candida albicans cause infant thrush, a white rash in the mouth and the digestive tract that often leads to a severe skin irritation or infection. Infant thrush is most typical during or following a round of antibiotics.
Although formula-fed babies tend to have more diaper rashes than breast-fed babies do, not all mothers are able to breast feed for one reason or another. Rest assured, there are things you can do to help prevent diaper rashes no matter which feeding method you choose for you and your baby.
Help prevent a painful, red bottom by changing your baby's diaper at least eight times a day. Use a barrier ointment containing one or more of the following: petrolatum, lanolin, zinc oxide or an antibacterial agent. Be sure to use the ointment with each diaper change. If you infant has a diaper rash, you can try some natural home remedies until you find one that works.
Use cooled Chamomile tea as a wash for baby's bottom. Some other herbal teas used as a wash are chickweed, comfrey, lavender, marigold, elder flowers, rosemary and marsh mallow root. You can choose to add these herbs to almond oil for a soothing bottom rub. Add the herbs to some oil, let stand for a few hours, strain and use the oil to soothe baby's bottom. Using this in conjunction with the herbal wash will give the diaper rash a double whammy.
Other useful natural remedies include tinctures of calendula, goldenseal or myrrh. Herbal ointments containing calendula, comfrey or marsh mallow help soothe irritated skin in infants and adults.
Some other natural washes include witch hazel, apple cider vinegar combined with some lemon juice. These two options create a more acidic environment to discourage yeast infections. Garlic has antifungal properties, although, garlic and goldenseal have both been known to cause allergic reactions in infants under 12 months old.
Babies with frequent diaper rashes tend to have lower zinc levels than infants with fewer instances of diaper rash. Adding 10 mg of zinc supplement to your infant's formula once a day may help. Talk to your pediatrician before giving infants any supplements.
If your infant is over six month old, you can help prevent a diaper rash during a round of antibiotics by feeding him or her yogurt containing active cultures. If you are using cloth diapers, try switching to disposable diapers. In addition, many diaper wipes contain alcohol that can irritate or burn your baby's bottom. Using plain water or an herbal wash is a good alternative to commercial wipes.
Long-time, tested, tried and confirmed to work remedies for diaper rash include cornstarch or arrowroot powder sprinkled on baby's bottom with each diaper change. Do not use talcum powder on your baby as it creates a dust cloud when applied that can cause serious lung problems.
That being said, if your baby's diaper rash looks to be infected, blisters or open sores, if the rash has spread outside the diaper area, if your baby has a fever or decreased appetite or if the rash is getting worse with home treatments, you should consult your pediatrician or other health care professional.
The harsh, and often toxic, chemicals in commercial skin care products are especial tough on your babies sensitive skin.
A rash caused by irritation resembles sunburn that is pink or red in color. Yeast rashes are typically bright or dark red and become worse in warm, damp skin folds or creases. Candida yeast organisms not only affect women, they can affect the digestive system as well. Candida albicans cause infant thrush, a white rash in the mouth and the digestive tract that often leads to a severe skin irritation or infection. Infant thrush is most typical during or following a round of antibiotics.
Although formula-fed babies tend to have more diaper rashes than breast-fed babies do, not all mothers are able to breast feed for one reason or another. Rest assured, there are things you can do to help prevent diaper rashes no matter which feeding method you choose for you and your baby.
Help prevent a painful, red bottom by changing your baby's diaper at least eight times a day. Use a barrier ointment containing one or more of the following: petrolatum, lanolin, zinc oxide or an antibacterial agent. Be sure to use the ointment with each diaper change. If you infant has a diaper rash, you can try some natural home remedies until you find one that works.
Use cooled Chamomile tea as a wash for baby's bottom. Some other herbal teas used as a wash are chickweed, comfrey, lavender, marigold, elder flowers, rosemary and marsh mallow root. You can choose to add these herbs to almond oil for a soothing bottom rub. Add the herbs to some oil, let stand for a few hours, strain and use the oil to soothe baby's bottom. Using this in conjunction with the herbal wash will give the diaper rash a double whammy.
Other useful natural remedies include tinctures of calendula, goldenseal or myrrh. Herbal ointments containing calendula, comfrey or marsh mallow help soothe irritated skin in infants and adults.
Some other natural washes include witch hazel, apple cider vinegar combined with some lemon juice. These two options create a more acidic environment to discourage yeast infections. Garlic has antifungal properties, although, garlic and goldenseal have both been known to cause allergic reactions in infants under 12 months old.
Babies with frequent diaper rashes tend to have lower zinc levels than infants with fewer instances of diaper rash. Adding 10 mg of zinc supplement to your infant's formula once a day may help. Talk to your pediatrician before giving infants any supplements.
If your infant is over six month old, you can help prevent a diaper rash during a round of antibiotics by feeding him or her yogurt containing active cultures. If you are using cloth diapers, try switching to disposable diapers. In addition, many diaper wipes contain alcohol that can irritate or burn your baby's bottom. Using plain water or an herbal wash is a good alternative to commercial wipes.
Long-time, tested, tried and confirmed to work remedies for diaper rash include cornstarch or arrowroot powder sprinkled on baby's bottom with each diaper change. Do not use talcum powder on your baby as it creates a dust cloud when applied that can cause serious lung problems.
That being said, if your baby's diaper rash looks to be infected, blisters or open sores, if the rash has spread outside the diaper area, if your baby has a fever or decreased appetite or if the rash is getting worse with home treatments, you should consult your pediatrician or other health care professional.
The harsh, and often toxic, chemicals in commercial skin care products are especial tough on your babies sensitive skin.
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