For the mommies & daddies...

...do any of you know a good solution for diaper rash? My daughter has almost never had any issues with diaper rash, but now that she's weaned she gets a really fierce rash pretty consistently out of nowhere. Thanks!

Thanks!

I Googled your question, and there are many pages (mainly pharmaceuticals trying to promote their products). From my Daddy days, I seem to remember that 'prevention is better than cure'; keep your baby dry (change nappies as often as you can) and make sure he/she is nice and dry and that you use a liner with the nappy. The rash most likely comes from the amonia in the wee.

Plasic pants tend to make the probblem worse.

I would tend to let baby roam around without a nappy as much as you dare (dangerous if it's a boy!), to help clear up the rash; use some form of ointment which will act as a 'barrier'.

Poor sweetheart, must be so uncomfortable.................

I've been changing her constantly, but the ointment is the only thing that holds it at bay. The second I stop using it, the rash flares up again. I don't dare let her go without a diaper, because as much as she eats and drinks, she goes rather frequently. I let her 'run free' for a bit after bathtime, but I always end up cleaning her again along with the bathroom. I'm concerned about whether there is a potential for a 'dependency' on the ointment.

A Zinc Oxide based diaper rash creme will promote healing and you can apply it liberally at every diaper change. Sometimes you have to apply it liberally.

If it's a very red and nasty diaper rash...your best bet is applying liberal amounts of a petroleum based creme or jelly to the diaper area...over the course of several days, you'll see a large improvement with the area, because you're protecting it...keeping additional moisture away. Then...you can follow with a zinc oxide based diaper rash creme.

There's also the posibility that it could be yeast...and if that's the case, you'll need a topical anti-fungal creme. I'd try the others first.

Also, a good old fashioned corn starch based baby powder in addition to Desitin or Balmex really helps keep the area dry. For stubborn diaper rashes, several days of coating the area in vaseline...letting the area air dry after bath time can take care of the worst of the diaper rash.

As has been said, keeping the area clean and dry is a good bet, but sometimes, towel drying only furthers irritation. A solution to this: Use a blowdryer set on the lowest setting on the diaper area of the baby.

Another thing is, for older infants, giving them 2-3 ounces of cranberry juice leaves an acid residue in their urine, this reduces the Ph (which is a main cause in diaper rash) and reduces irritation.

I've also heard that dabbing breast milk to the rash can help to clear it up.

Ask a pharmicist, they may be able to recommend a medicated powder or something else that may work well. I had this problem with my daughter, we used a powder but I can't remember the name of it. If it comes back every few days, I would definitely as her doctor, just to make sure it's just a simple irritation, and not an allergy developing. Did you try changing the brand of diapers that you use?

Hmmm... No, I'll try that. Thank you, everyone!

My grandaughter had a bad rash as well. I babysat her last weekend and although she did not actually need to be changed I did so just so I could check on the progress of Desitin. Part of my routine was to gently wipe the entire rash with the baby wipes (they had aloe in them too). I talked to her as I did this so that not only did the wipes soothe the sore area but she could sense that Gammy understood how she felt. She giggled more during changuing time than any other time. ROFL

I kept the diaper that I was changing under her in case she did wee while I was cleaning the rash and letting air get to it for a few minutes.

There wasn't any powder brought over with her or I would have put that on when I put the new diaper on her. I was glad that I have experience from my own 3 daughters.

Try everything and see what works the best without an allergic reaction. I also agree that if it does not get better to see her doctor because what works for most may not work for a few.

Thank the Higher Power that you care about your child to take care of it ASAP. My grandaughters dad had hers cleared up until her mom had her for a day and did not take care of her well enough.

I am still highly upset over that ordeal but thankfully the dad has it under control.

FBI

evearael said:

...do any of you know a good solution for diaper rash? My daughter has almost never had any issues with diaper rash, but now that she's weaned she gets a really fierce rash pretty consistently out of nowhere. Thanks!

Click to expand...

I've already let my rugrat run around w/o a diaper for a little bit just to make sure he/she got enough air in the nether-regions.

You mentioned that this has occured since she has beened weened. Is it possible that the formula or milk (depending on the age here) is not good for her? Perhaps you are dealing with a kind of formula that causes her to produce too much acid in her waste...therefore causing breakouts and reaction in her diaper. Just a suggestion here...but have you considered trying a different kind of formula and see how that may change things?

I've changed her diet entirely, but there has been no change. She doesn't like formula or milk to much, so I question whether the bulk of it makes it into her tummy or onto the floor. She does drink a lot of water and I've increased her dairy intake to compensate. She eats bread, cheerios, bananas, cheese, grapes, turkey, broccoli...

evearael said:

I've changed her diet entirely, but there has been no change. She doesn't like formula or milk to much, so I question whether the bulk of it makes it into her tummy or onto the floor. She does drink a lot of water and I've increased her dairy intake to compensate. She eats bread, cheerios, bananas, cheese, grapes, turkey, broccoli...

Click to expand...

What about juice? A lot of fruit juices can have a lot of acid to them.

Other than that you may be looking at a diaper reaction unless you have tried different diapers.

If nothing else, you may just have to break down and call your pediatrician or nutritionist and see what they have to say.