Baby Body Rash - Terrifying for New Parents but Easy to Treat

by Sharon Hopkins

Rashes on babies are a common sight but can be a frightening prospect for first-time parents. You need not fear, as it is usually a common occurrence and can be remedied just as easily.

A baby can get rashes of its body for reasons that you might already know but may have overlooked.

The baby usually develops a rash due to wetness of the diaper. A wet diaper can lead to skin irritation for the baby.
Sometimes bacteria from the urine and stools of the baby can get mixed and cause a rash to spread out on the baby’s bottom or genitals.
Sensitivity to the diaper brand can also cause your baby to break out into a rash.
Most parents will even notice a rash when the baby’s food habits change. Sometimes for the first year, every time you introduce your baby to new food, you might see an occurrence of new rash. Any change in the food composition can change the stool and urine composition. That change often leads to a rash.
Then there is infection. Yeast or bacterial infections can occur easily due to the baby’s bottom and genitals being mostly wet. Thrush is a common yeast infection and babies also sometimes suffer from cradle cap. In case your baby suffers from any form of yeast infection, it might need medication.
Babies also often show signs of eczema. The skin generally becomes dry, scaly and can even ooze. It’s associated with allergies and is usually hereditary
Babies can also develop heat rashes or a form of prickly heat.
Acne and hives are also known to occur in babies. Most causes are not constant and if recurring too frequently, you should consult your pediatrician.

There are many cures for baby rashes but the best are easy lifestyle changes and home remedies so that the effect is better and long term.

Switch to a gentler detergent for the baby clothes. A regular detergent can cause the baby a lot of irritation.
While bathing the baby, use lukewarm water and try not to extend the bath for long periods of time.
Keep diaper changes frequent. Avoid letting your baby’s bottom be wet for no longer than necessary.
Keep the wet wipes - fragrant and cream ones included, away for a few days. Use plain water to clean the baby.
If you are going to put on a medicated cream, ensure that the area is completely dry. While drying the area, do not rub vigorously but only pat it dry.
Let your baby go bare bottomed for some time in the day. Air-drying the area helps control the rashes.
Make sure you dress your child in lightweight clothing. Avoid snug fits or too much waterproof clothing.
To reduce the baby’s crankiness, try cool compresses. These can help soothe the irritation.
If you are nursing, ensure that you eat the correct food or if you feeding solids, nix the foods that could potentially lead to a rash. Avoid fried and spicy foods if you are nursing. Avoid citrusy fruits –even while feeding the baby.
Another home remedy is adding a little oatmeal to his bath or soaking oatmeal in some water and drizzle that water on the rash-prone area.
Some natural herbs can also help heal the rashes. Slippery elm bark powder can help keep the baby’s bottom dry.
Calendula oil mixed with some water makes a good lotion for the baby. It can also create a nice barrier against residual wetness.

Reference:

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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