Herbs For Kids - Aviva Romm

9
Diaper Rash
What is diaper rash?
Diaper rash is an incredibly common problem — it is practically just a normal part of being a baby! It
can occur regardless of diapering choices. Babies have soft, sensitive skin that spends 24 hours a day in
contact with a diaper, and has frequent contact with irritating poop and pee.
Most diaper rashes are just due to contact
irritation, less commonly they are caused by a
yeast infection. A diaper rash is usually not a sign
of a food allergy. (see Types of Diaper Rash). If
your little one develops a diaper rash, don’t fret.
There are simple steps you can take to prevent
and reduce the risk of diaper rash, and some easy
natural remedies to sooth that irritated bottom!
Even with the best treatment, it may reappear now
and again.
Common sense approaches to
preventing & treating diaper rash
• Change baby’s diapers often — every 2-3
hours — and as soon as possible after baby
poops.
• Use a warm wash cloth each time you wash
baby’s bottom rather than diaper wipes if
possible, and make sure to clean baby’s bottom well.
Types of Diaper Rash
Contact diaper rash is the garden-variety rash
that looks flat, red, irritated skin, sometimes with
peeling skin if more severe.
Intertrigo occurs within the skin folds and
creases around the diaper area where the skin rubs
together. It looks like a burn.
Yeast usually only occurs if there has been a
diaper rash for a long time that then becomes
“superinfected” by Candida. It is a red, raised, and
patchy rash with clear edges and smaller patches
called “satellites” at a distance from the main area
of the rash.
Allergy ring is a red ring just around the baby’s
anus can be a sign of an allergy to something in his
or her diet or in breastfeeding babies, mom’s diet.
• If using cloth diapers add ½ cup of white vinegar to your wash to neutralize the acidity of the
diapers and help kill germs.
• If using cloth diapers, make sure the edges of the diaper covers are not irritating baby’s sensitive
thighs and groin by hugging too close to the skin.
• If using disposable diapers change brands to see if another is less irritating to your baby’s skin.
• Let baby’s bottom air out — go naked bums — as often as possible!
• Apply a thick cream as a barrier on your baby’s skin. Old-fashioned A&D ointment works really
well; zinc oxide is also effective. Both are mild and safe. Herbal salve can be used as a healing
agent, emollient, and light skin barrier.
• Your little one might benefit from a probiotic in the case of diaper rash from yeast infection as well
as when there is an allergy ring.
• Another simple home remedy for yeast diaper rash is to slather your little one’s bottom with plain,
active culture yogurt daily then rinse off thoroughly.