Can you use diaper cream on a newborn: Diaper Rash — Pediatric Associates

Posted on 31 декабря, 2022 by alexxlab

Diaper Rash — Pediatric Associates

Newborn skin can be exceptionally sensitive to irritants in the environment. It is not unusual for infants to develop intermittent diaper rashes, and we often see families in the office to assess and advise on diaper rashes. Below we offer some helpful tips and tricks to try before giving the office a call.

Change diapers often. A baby’s skin can get irritated when a diaper is left on for too long and the urine or stool is in close contact with the skin for prolonged periods of time, so check your baby every hour or two to see if they are wet or soiled. Even if you are vigilant with diaper changes, it is not uncommon to see diaper rashes in specific situations, such as when a baby has a diarrheal illness or is taking antibiotics for a bacterial infection. With more severe or extensive rashes, we will sometimes recommend giving your baby as much time as possible WITHOUT a diaper, on a waterproof sheet or towel, to let the skin “breathe”.
Avoid other irritants. Aside from urine or stool, baby wipes themselves can be irritating due to the fragrances, alcohol, and other chemicals that they may contain. Look for a fragrance-free baby wipe, and for a severe diaper rash switch to using a clean washcloth and warm water ONLY to wipe. If your baby tends to have especially sensitive skin or gets frequent diaper rashes, try switching your baby’s soap, lotion, and detergent (especially important if laundering cloth diapers) to fragrance-free varieties as well, and consider dye-free diapers.
Wipe gently. If diaper cream was applied with the last diaper change (see below), there is no need to remove all of the diaper cream. The purpose of diaper cream is to create a barrier to protect the skin from urine and stool. Once you wipe away visible stool, if diaper cream is still present on the skin, leave it there! It’s doing its job, and you will only retraumatize the skin if you wipe all of the cream away. As you will see in the next step, you are simply going to add fresh diaper cream on top of the old layer.
Apply a thick layer of diaper cream to perfectly dry buttocks. Pat your baby dry with a clean cloth or soft toilet paper–avoid rubbing–then apply diaper cream to the affected area like you are frosting a cake. If there is diaper cream still adherent to the skin from the last diaper change, apply a fresh thick layer on top of whatever cream is left on the skin. A common mistake is using too thin a layer of barrier cream to protect the vulnerable skin. You can use a cotton makeup pad to apply the cream and then leave the makeup pad in the diaper to prevent the cream from rubbing off onto the diaper.

Recommended diaper creams include:
Petroleum-based: Vaseline, Aquaphor, A&D Ointment
Zinc-oxide based: Desitin, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, Triple Paste
Once your baby’s diaper rash has resolved, you can prevent future diaper rashes by applying a thin layer of any of these with each diaper change.

Most routine diaper rashes will clear up within a few days of the above routine. Because the diaper is a wet, dark environment, sometimes the rash can become superinfected with yeast or bacteria. Therefore, if the rash does not resolve in 2-3 days with these recommendations, or if you notice skin breakdown or sores, drainage/pus, fever, fussiness, or any other new or concerning symptoms, please call our office to discuss additional interventions or schedule an office visit. Depending on what type of rash your baby has, we may recommend adding an antifungal cream, antibiotic cream, and/or mild steroid ointment.

Additional resources:
Seattle Children’s Handout on Diaper Rashes
KidsHealth Parent Handout on Diaper Rashes
First Aid: Diaper Rash
Diapering Your Baby

What to Know About Diaper Rash Creams

Written by Parang Mehta

What Is a Diaper Rash?

A rash in the area covered by a diaper is called a diaper rash. It can happen to anyone but is most commonly seen in babies. A diaper rash makes your baby’s skin red, tender, and scaly. It is a common condition — most babies will have a diaper rash at some time. Most often, it is easy to combat with some precautions and changes to the diapering routine.

If the rash gets severe, it can cause pimples, blisters, or other sores on your baby’s skin. Bright red skin, or swollen skin, is a sign of infection.

Diaper Rash Causes

The chief causes of diaper rash are moisture and friction. Urine and poop can irritate and damage the skin. Diaper rashes are more common when your baby is pooping frequently. Diarrhea and diaper rash often happen together.

Allergies can also cause diaper rash. Your baby may be sensitive to detergents, dyes in the diapers, baby wipes, soaps, or any other product you’re using. If you think an allergy is causing the rash, get plain white diapers without any dyes, and use plain water with a washcloth for cleaning.

Most rashes will heal when you change your diapering routine. A diaper rash that doesn’t clear up and lasts for a long time could be a fungal infection. A yeast called Candida grows in moist, warm areas, conditions produced by watertight diapers. This rash is red, slightly raised, and can spread beyond the diaper area. This infection often happens after you or your baby have taken antibiotics.

Diaper Rash Cream

These creams prevent diaper rashes using the barrier method. They form a barrier on the skin that keeps urine and poop from touching and damaging it.

Most diaper creams are a paste or cream containing zinc oxide. This substance forms a waterproof layer on the skin. Zinc oxide also improves skin healing.

White petroleum jelly (petrolatum) is also effective as diaper cream. Other barrier agents are cod liver oil, dimethicone, and lanolin.

You should look for products with these ingredients and make sure they’re fragrance-free. Fragrances can irritate a baby’s skin.

Less commonly, diaper rash creams contain:

Calendula. A plant product traditionally used for skin disorders. It is effective at healing diaper rash.
Bentonite. A clay containing aluminum phyllosilicate. It absorbs several times its own weight in water and can heal diaper rash.
Corticosteroids. Your physician may prescribe a corticosteroid-containing ointment if the inflammation is severe. Hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone acetate are considered safe for babies.
Nystatin or Clotrimazole. These are medicines to treat fungal skin infections. A large proportion of babies with diaper rash have a fungal infection. These medicines are effective and safe.

Read the label when buying a diaper cream. Avoid those that contain boric acid, camphor, compound of benzoin tincture, methyl salicylate, or phenol. Your baby doesn’t need these chemicals, and they can harm the skin.

How to Use Diaper Creams

Diaper creams are used to prevent or cure a diaper rash. Correct use is important to get the most benefit:

Always apply the diaper cream to dry skin. It’ll keep moisture off the skin. If you apply the cream to wet skin, it’ll trap the moisture on your baby’s skin.
Don’t rub the diaper cream into the skin. Gently spread a thick layer.
Don’t wash it off at every diaper change. Once a day at night is enough.

How to Avoid Diaper Rash

That red, angry-looking skin on your baby’s little bottom can make them miserable. Follow these steps to avoid it:

Don’t let your baby be dirty or wet for long. Change diapers frequently. Poop and urine can damage a baby’s delicate skin. Check often, and change the diaper even if it’s only wet.
Clean the area gently. Use wet wipes or water and a washcloth to dab your baby clean. If wiping makes your baby cry, try cleaning with a squirt bottle. Use plain water — avoid alcohol and fragrances.
Keep the area dry. After cleaning, pat dry with a soft cloth. Leave your baby diaper-free for a while so that their skin gets a chance to dry in air.
If using diapers with adhesive tabs, make sure they don’t stick to your baby’s skin.
Always put a new diaper on clean, dry skin.
Apply a diaper cream a few times a day. If your baby has sensitive skin, you can apply it at every diaper change.

If you’re using washable cloth diapers instead of disposables:

Wash cloth diapers in hot water to kill germs.
Run an extra rinse cycle to completely remove detergents from the diapers.
Don’t use fabric softeners or dryer sheets.
Skip the plastic pants that fit over diapers. They increase heat and moisture inside, helping germs to grow.

How to Treat Diaper Rash

Be gentle with a diaper rash. Instead of wipes, use a plain soft cloth and water. Avoid alcohol and other cleansers that can hurt your baby.

Never scrub the rash. Avoid too much cleaning. If the diaper is only wet, pat the area dry, reapply diaper cream, and put a fresh diaper on.

Keeping the diaper area clean and dry is key. Try leaving the diaper off for a few hours each day to let your baby’s skin breathe. You’ll need waterproof sheets in the crib, or a large towel on the floor.

If the rash doesn’t get well in a few days, visit your pediatrician. They may prescribe some special medicines and ointments. Use them exactly as prescribed. Especially with steroid creams, do not apply for more days than told.

Can a Diaper Rash Be Serious?

Diaper rashes are usually just superficial damage to your baby’s skin. But this rash can get infected and cause serious disease. If your baby is less than 6 weeks old, keep an especially careful eye on the rash. In babies of any age, watch for these signs:

The rash doesn’t get better after many days of careful home measures.
You can see blisters or pus-filled boils.
The rash area is bleeding.
The rash is spreading beyond the diaper area.
Your baby has a fever.
Your baby seems sick.

Visit your pediatrician if your baby shows any signs that the diaper rash is out of the ordinary.

Baby diaper cream (instruction for use, rating of creams)

All parents sooner or later resort to using diapers for their little ones. Some mothers wear diapers to their children exclusively at night or for a walk. Others use diapers even when the baby is at home. In any case, the use of these absorbent products can lead to diaper rash and redness. Therefore, experts in the field of pediatrics, in order to avoid any skin problems in a newborn baby, recommend using a special baby diaper cream.

Contents

Why diaper cream is needed

Baby’s skin is quite sensitive and receptive, and constant presence in a tight and practically non-breathable diaper can lead to a number of troubles:

redness on the baby’s buttocks;
rash;
irritation;
dermatitis;
peeling;
diaper rash (see diaper rash).

Therefore, before putting a diaper on a child, it is important to use baby cream under it. Modern products have a soothing, protective, anti-inflammatory effect and provide reliable care for the delicate skin of a child.

In addition, the diaper product can act not only for prevention, but also for treatment.

How to apply cream

When applying cream under a diaper, you need to take into account several rules:

Baby’s skin must be dry and clean. To do this, before applying the cream and putting on a diaper, you need to wash the child and blot the moisture with a soft towel.
Do not apply immediately after this. Let the baby enjoy air baths for 5-7 minutes. During this time, his skin will dry completely and will be ready for applying a special cream.
Now you can use the diaper cleaner. Gently apply the cream to the area around the newborn’s buttocks and a little on his buttocks. Pay attention to the folds and groin area. Spread the product well so that it does not roll. Wait until the cream is completely absorbed. Only then can you put a diaper on your baby (See how to choose the right diapers).

Rating of the best creams

Which cream is best used under a diaper is a question that worries many parents. The following brands have proven their effectiveness:

Bübchen. This cream from a German manufacturer contains chamomile, panthenol and zinc oxide. Thanks to these substances, the remedy has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and allows you to eliminate redness in a short time.
Bepanthen . Contains provitamin B5. It is considered an excellent treatment not only for diaper rash in children, but also for cracked nipples during breastfeeding in mothers. Almost all young mothers use this tool.
Eared Nanny . This product of a well-known domestic manufacturer of child care products is very popular due to its quality and reasonable cost. The oils of peach and calendula included in the composition of this product have a protective property.
Johnsons Baby . This newborn cream has a calming effect. Being hypoallergenic, it can be used from the first days of a baby’s life.
Our mother . The extracts of medicinal herbs (calendula, chamomile), as well as sea buckthorn oil, quickly and permanently eliminate redness and diaper rash.
Sanosan . Another fairly popular diaper product from a German manufacturer. Ingredients: talc, D-panthenol, zinc oxide. Perfectly soothes and protects the sensitive skin of the child.

Powder or cream

It is not uncommon for new parents to use baby powder. In some cases, the powder really relieves irritation and prevents the occurrence of diaper rash, but do not forget that it dries the skin (and this, in turn, can contribute to the appearance of peeling).

Therefore, when choosing what is better to use — cream or powder — it is preferable to focus on the effectiveness and speed of eliminating unpleasant manifestations. Each child has different reactions even to the same children’s products. If you notice that redness and diaper rash on your baby’s bottom disappear after using the powder, feel free to use it. If baby cream is better suited for the baby, the choice is obvious.

Regardless of which product you choose, remember that neither cream nor baby powder will prevent diaper rash and irritation if the baby is constantly in a diaper. Try to put on a newborn diaper only in exceptional cases (for a walk, to go to a children’s clinic, etc. ).

Helpful for newborn care:

Reading about proper skin care for a newborn baby;

Detailed article on hygiene of newborns and necessary hygiene products;

Types of baby creams (what are baby creams), how to choose the right cream for a particular occasion, the technique of applying creams.

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powder or diaper cream?

Powder and diaper cream: what is the difference between two such similar products and when is one more effective than the other? Young parents often seek answers to these and similar questions. We made it easy for them and collected in one article all the most important things about baby powders and diaper creams: differences, composition, principle of action and rules of use.

Why diapers are dangerous

Every mother knows that if her baby wears a diaper around the clock, it is likely to see rashes, diaper rash or redness on her beloved bottom. The fact is that the ammonia contained in the urine can quickly damage the upper layer of the epidermis. And babies often sweat, and under the diaper, which does not let in not only moisture, but also air, diaper rash forms. As a result, a rash, redness, peeling and various dermatitis appear on the skin.

Nevertheless, disposable diapers are convenient, practical, save a lot of time and effort, so mothers are not going to give up diapers and their relatives. Yes, and they have not yet come up with an equivalent alternative, which means that the task of parents is to protect the child as much as possible from possible troubles. To do this, you need to change the diaper in time and use skin care products — powders and creams correctly.

How do powders and creams work and what is the difference between them

The two main functions that both products perform are to prevent the appearance of problems on the skin under the diaper and to eliminate the symptoms that have appeared.

Diaper cream has a dense thick texture, does not absorb for a long time and creates an invisible breathable film that protects the skin from contact with harmful substances. It is able to heal wounds and cracks, has an antimicrobial and antiseptic effect, maintains the natural pH balance of children’s skin, softens and nourishes it. An ordinary oily cream will not cope with the task: it is not able to create reliable protection against urea and ammonia, it is quickly absorbed into the skin. That is why the cream for the diaper should be put in the children’s cosmetic bag even at the stage of preparations for the maternity hospital. In the early days, he will greatly facilitate the task of caring for a newborn mother.

Baby Powder is a fine powder that spreads well and can absorb moisture quickly. The skin under the diaper stays dry longer and does not dry out. The powder also protects the skin from chafing and diaper rash, and not only under the diaper: the powder can be applied on the neck, behind the ear, under the arm — wherever there is a problem of excessive moisture and traces of rubbing appear. Zinc in the composition of the powder gives it antiseptic properties, and menthol gives a cooling effect in the summer.

Cream and Poding: Key differences

	Cream for diapers	Podging
Protects the skin, relieves the skin, loving, loving, dumps.	Absorbs excess moisture, dries the skin, relieves itching, reduces skin friction in places of wrinkles, protects against diaper rash and chafing.
Composition	Glycerin or lanolin, natural oils, panthenol, zinc oxide, water. Additionally may include: extracts of medicinal plants, fish oil, lactic acid, vitamins and other useful elements.	Mineral talc, starch, zinc oxide. Additionally may include: plant extracts, anti-inflammatory agents, bactericidal components, fragrance.
When to use	In the first days of a baby’s life, until the stool normalizes — for the prevention of irritation and easy washing. Situational: in the presence of irritations and dry skin, at any time of the day without restrictions.	For diaper rash and prickly heat, damp skin. Use as needed, but not too often, so as not to overdry the baby’s skin.
Where to apply	In normal use, apply to the skin in the groin area and between the buttocks. May be applied to other irritated skin areas.	Apply to the skin in the groin area, under the armpits, on the neck, on any folds on the baby’s body where there is diaper rash or friction (for example, on the inside of the thigh when walking).

The main mistakes in the use of creams and powders

The first and main rule that applies to both products is that they must be applied to clean, dry skin. Accordingly, after washing the baby or bathing. Cream and powder have different properties, and therefore it is unacceptable to use them together. It is better to have both tools in your arsenal and combine them depending on the situation. On overdried skin — apply cream, and on wet skin — powder. And in the case when you can do without them, let the baby’s skin independently regulate its condition.

Why powder should not be used directly on the baby and how to use it correctly

Apply powder on clean, dry skin: gently pat the baby’s body after washing with a well-absorbing soft towel. If the product gets on wet skin, it will roll up into lumps that will cause discomfort to the child.
Spread the right amount of powder evenly between your palms so that no lumps remain. With gentle patting movements, apply the product on the baby’s skin, paying special attention to the folds: under the arms, in the neck, in the groin area, on the arms and under the knees. Don’t rub in the powder.
Be especially careful with girls: it is important that the agent does not get into intimate places. Upon contact with the mucous membrane, the powder rolls up in lumps and can cause irritation and serious discomfort to the baby.
Do not pour the product directly on the baby’s skin: there is a risk of overdoing it and pouring more than necessary. In addition, small particles are actively sprayed into the air and can enter the respiratory tract of a newborn. A dense layer of powder sometimes causes the skin to dry out.
After powdering, you can leave the baby to lie naked for a few minutes, so that the product dries and fixes on the skin.
If you notice any reaction on the child’s skin — redness or rash — immediately stop using the product, rinse the skin thoroughly with clean water.

How to properly apply diaper cream

Remove the dirty diaper and wash your baby. If you’re on the road or don’t have access to clean running water, use baby wipes. Then gently pat your skin dry with a soft cloth or towel.
If possible, let your baby take air baths: let him lie down without a diaper for a few minutes.
Squeeze the cream onto your finger. A pea-sized serving is enough for one use.
Gently apply the cream on the buttocks and anus area, rubbing lightly. If necessary — on other damaged areas, pay special attention to the folds if they have cracks and irritations. Boys can apply the cream in any direction, girls — from front to back, to avoid bacteria and infection from the anus to the genitals.
Allow the cream to absorb, then put on a clean diaper or panties. Depending on the composition, a visible thin layer of the product may remain on the skin.

Do not forget to test for an allergic reaction before the first use: apply a small amount of cream on the child’s wrist and watch for redness for half an hour.