Dealing with Diaper Rash Billings MT

For most babies and parents, diaper rash is a fact of life. But there are some important tips parents can use to prevent, or at least lessen, their baby's discomfort . Below, Dr. Daniel Neuspiel discusses the dos and don'ts of diapering your baby, and when parents should seek their pediatrician's help.

Diaper Rash 101

Urine, which is acidic, and stool, which contains bacteria and digestive enzymes, can easily irritate a baby's sensitive skin. The longer a dirty or wet diaper remains on your baby's bottom, the more likely your tot will develop a rash. That's why it's important to change your baby's diaper frequently, especially when he or she has diarrhea.

Irritated skin is also fertile ground for yeast, specifically yeast called Candida . This is the same yeast that causes infections in babies' mouths, sometimes called thrush, and vaginal infections in women. Candida is present in everyone's intestines and skin, but is usually held in check by friendly bacteria. Candida diaper rash occurs frequently, and the chances increase when your baby is taking antibiotics, as these medications kill friendly bacteria in addition to disease-causing bugs.

Skin bacteria may also cause diaper rash. One particularly dangerous type of rash, called scalded skin syndrome, is caused by certain strains of staphylococcus bacteria.

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