Diaper rash is an all too common condition. Diaper rash can be frustrating for your little one, as diaper rash is not especially comfortable. Diaper rash can be frustrating for you, as well, as you hate to see your little one suffering. In some cases, if it is left untreated, diaper rash may actually become severe, and post a health risk. However, this is not normal, and as long as you are treating your child’s diaper rash you should be fine.

It is important, when thinking about diaper rash and how severe it can get, to think about what can cause diaper rash to begin with. Diaper rash can be caused by moisture in the diaper area. It can be caused by the skin’s prolonged exposure to feces or urine. Chafing of the diaper area can also cause diaper rash. Diarrhea can, too. Even allergic reactions to food can cause diaper rash, as can irritation from some chemical or fabric.

The good news is that there are things that you can do before diaper rash ever gets severe to avoid diaper rash or to clear up diaper rash. For example, you can make sure you are changing your baby’s diaper frequently enough. You should consider a different brand of diaper if you are using disposable diapers. It may be that your current brand is not absorbent enough, or that the elastic around the belly or legs is too tight for your baby. If possible, let your little one go for a few minutes without a diaper a couple of times a day. This will help to keep his diaper area nice and dry. Use an ointment after a diaper change. There are a variety of products, including herbal ointments that do not contain artificial chemicals and preservatives, which you may wish to consider using for your baby’s diaper rash. There is some evidence to suggest that breastfeeding actually helps with diaper rash, by changing the acid levels in your baby’s bowel movements, and by boosting your baby’s resistance to infections. If you choose and are able to breastfeed, keep breastfeeding as long as you can.

As always, if your baby’s diaper rash is very serious and doesn’t go away, gets worse, or is accompanied by other skin irritation, contact your health care provider. This may indicate some other problem, such as a yeast infection or a bacterial infection.

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