Preventing Diaper Rashes in New Born Babies

Diaper rash is a fairly common dermatological problem that affects babies, mainly around the genitals, buttocks and the inner thighs. The main symptoms of this condition are inflammation of the skin, erosion of the thin, upper layer of the skin, and irritation and itching of the skin that causes the baby to cry frequently. The primary cause behind these symptoms is the direct contact between the baby’s delicate skin and the strong chemicals present naturally in urine and feces. Diaper rashes tend to appear prominently when the baby switches from milk to solid foods, as the changes her diet cause the chemical composition of her urine and feces to change. Also, if the baby’s diapers are not changes frequently enough, dirt and sweat tend to accumulate between the folds of the skin, which provides the damp and warm conditions ideal for fungal growth and infections to occur. The baby may also suffer from this problem if her diaper is fastened too tightly, causing chafing of the skin. Sometimes, certain antibiotic ointments may also cause an allergic skin reaction on topical application and may lead to diaper rashes.

The easiest and most effective way of preventing diaper rashes is to ensure that your baby is never allowed to wear a wet diaper for long. Keep checking at regular intervals if the baby has soiled the diaper. Wipe the buttocks, thighs and genitals using moist, disposable tissue paper, let the region dry in the air naturally and then put on a fresh diaper to keep the area clean and dry. It is best not to use soaps that contain harsh chemical on the baby’s delicate skin, as these may cause further irritation. Topical application of an ointment containing zinc oxide may be useful in minimizing the chances of infection and irritation on the skin. Petroleum jelly is also known of be effective in reducing friction between the diaper and the skin and thereby lessen the chances of diaper rashes. You may also massage the skin with a little sesame oil to prevent the appearance of diaper rashes. A mixture of half a teaspoon each of clean water and olive oil may also be used similarly to solve the problem. It is also recommended that you make the switch from liquid to solid food more gradual for the baby’s system to get accustomed to it. A combination of milk and semi-solid foods should precede a diet primarily consisting of solid food.