Diaper rashes are a common problem in our infants and toddlers. They can be very frustrating, but they are not your fault! These rashes can develop quickly and look gnarly. But the good news is that they are rarely a sign of something serious and can be managed with some simple strategies. I like to say that managing diaper rashes is more of an art than a science; it often takes some trial and error work to find out what works best to clear your child’s diaper rash.
Here’s my advice for management:
- Apply diaper rash cream with every diaper change. There are so many options out there and you’ll have to see which works best for your child. Some of my favorite options are Aquaphor, Vaseline, and zinc oxide pastes.
- The key is you have to apply a very THICK layer of the cream to ensure that the next poop or pee doesn’t have the opportunity to irritate the skin.
- Change dirty diapers quickly so there’s less time for the poop or pee to irritate the skin.
- Use water wipes instead of wipes with scents or chemicals.
- When cleaning their bottom, try your best to dab instead of wipe. This will create less friction on the rash. You can also just dunk your child’s bottom in the tub, or use a water squirt bottle to decrease how much wiping is needed to get them clean.
- Air things out by giving your child time out of their diaper. For babies you can put them on a towel or have them hang out on the changing table with a diaper under them (but not fastened). This can be really effective!
It can take a few days for these strategies to help heal the diaper rash. It’s also common for the diaper rash to clear for a little while then pop back up. The ultimate cure will be potty training, so hang in there!
Things that I don’t typically recommend for diaper rashes:
- Changing diaper brands. In rare cases a child might be allergic to a component in the diaper, but this is not common.
- Diet changes. Typically it’s not any one food that triggers a diaper rash, so I don’t recommend cutting anything out of a child’s diet.
- Tight diapers. Fastening diapers too tight can trap moisture. If you’re struggling with diaper rash, consider sizing up or not fastening the diaper as tight.
What if it’s not going away?
Call us! Our nurses can help provide further advice for managing these rashes, and if the diaper rash isn’t responding to the above treatments then it’s time for a visit with one of our pediatricians to talk next steps.