Advocate Medical Group's pediatrician shares tips on treating diaper rash - Daily Herald

Parents of babies and toddlers spend a lot of time changing diapers. In fact, a baby goes through about 3,000 diapers in the first year of life.

You may notice a rash while changing your child's diaper, but don't panic. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least half of all babies will experience diaper rash at some point.

"It's one of the most common rashes in babies and young children," says Dr. Sarah Smith, pediatrician at Advocate Medical Group in St. Charles. "The rash is usually caused by excessive wetness and chafing in the diaper area. Too much wiping, not changing diapers often enough, diarrhea and recent use of antibiotics can increase your risk of developing a rash." .

Not all rashes are the same. Itchy diaper rash is the most common form and usually causes reddening of the skin around the diaper-affected areas. You may also notice raised red bumps.

"This is usually treated with frequent diaper changes to avoid prolonged skin exposure to feces and urine," says Smith. "It's important to gently cleanse the skin with lukewarm water and use a mild, fragrance-free soap to cleanse the skin. Follow with a petroleum based ointment and zinc based paste."

The ointment and paste help soothe and protect the diaper skin. With this at-home treatment, a mild case of diaper rash should clear up within two to three days.

Another type of rash to watch out for is yeast diaper rash. They usually appear as very thick red lesions or bright red bumps.

This rash can also appear in creases and fine lines of the skin. Smith notes that in severe cases, you may notice cracks in the skin or sores that ooze or bleed.

"In addition to frequent diaper changes and cleanings, yeast diaper rash is also treated with an over-the-counter topical antifungal cream," Smith said. "This should be applied to the rash, alternating between the ointment and paste used for the itchy diaper rash at each diaper change."

With either type of rash, it's important to monitor your child's skin over the next few days. If there is no improvement or if the symptoms worsen, you should make an appointment with your child's pediatrician.

The pediatrician may recommend prescription medications to treat the rash.

According to Smith, the doctor can also help rule out other, less common causes of diaper rash.

To keep your baby's bottom healthy, remember to change diapers frequently and gently cleanse the skin each time.

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