Moisture, friction, and dark conditions all contribute to that bane of parents' existence, diaper rash. Babies have such delicate skin on their bottoms, and it is so difficult to keep them free of diaper rash. Diaper rash not only makes children uncomfortable, but highly cranky. Tiny red bumps, large red moist patches, and eroded sores can all be features of diaper rash. Here are some tips on what you can do.

1. CHANGE BABY'S DIAPER FREQUENTLY. Allowing soiled diapers to remain in contact with the skin breeds bacteria and yeast, as well as irritation from the contents confined by the diaper.
2. AVOID POWDERS THAT CONTAIN CORNSTARCH. Cornstarch is food for bacteria and yeast. You are asking for trouble by applying it to your baby's bottom. Use non talc-based powders instead. Absorbant powders such as California Baby Non-Talc Powder - Calming are a better choice.
3. USE ZINC-BASED PASTES TO HEAL ERRODED AND INFLAMED AREAS. Zinc has long been known to have healing properties when it comes to the skin. I became a believer in Diaperene when my newborn daughter developed severe diaper rash due to lactose intolerance on her second day of life.
4. AVOID DIAPER AREA PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN FRAGRANCE, COLOR, AND VITAMIN E. While I know that Vitamin E is often thought of by the public as being an excellent healer, the supporting evidence just isn't there. Also, there have been reported cases of contact dermatitis to Vitamin E. Baby's bottom is going to be much more sensitive to potential irritants such as Vitamin E, as well as the better known ingredients like fragrance and color.
5. USE PRESCRIPTION ANTI-YEAST POWDERS IF A YEAST INFECTION DEVELOPS. The diaper area is already moist, allowing yeast to grow. The use of a powder containing an anti-yeast agent, such as Mycostatin Powder, can be more helpful than a cream or lotion. For children prone to recurrent yeast induced diaper rash, it is often helpful to use this medication on a preventative basis.
6. ALLOW AIR TO REACH THE DIAPER AREA. If you can allow time for the bottom to "breathe" before replacing the diaper (even just a few minutes), this can go a long way to avoid developing diaper rash. For children who already have significant diaper rash, allowing them to go without a diaper (even for 10 minutes) can hasten the healing process.
7. ANTIBIOTICS CAN CAUSE DIAPER RASH. Be aware that oral antibiotics can not only cause diarrhea which can lead to diaper rash, but they can be irritating when eliminated by the child. Taking a preventative approach goes a long way at making your life a lot easier when you are already dealing with a sick child.
8. REMEMBER THAT THEY WILL GROW OUT OF THIS PHASE. Healthy children all cure themselves when they become toilet trained. Be patient and try to keep a positive attitude. They're only little once!

Thank you for taking the time to read my tips on Diaper Rash. I hope that you have found it informative.

Audrey Kunin, M.D.

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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