“Doctor, Why does my child get diaper rash so often? Which is the best Diaper rash cream?”

Diaper rash is so common that most children in the first year get diaper rash. This is so because they urinate and defecate frequently. This article tells about the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treat meant of diaper rash cream. We have also listed the three best diaper rash creams recommended by a dermatologist at the end of the article.

Symptoms of diaper rash

Diaper rash begins with redness in thigh and button that comes in contact with the diaper. If precautions are not taken, the redness will increase, and the skin appears moist and macerated. In the worst case, bumps and blisters develop.

Rarely, the rash may spread beyond the diaper area. The involvement of fold indicates superadded fungal or bacterial infection. Infants might try to touch or scratch the diaper area or cry when you touch it. The older ones might resist wearing diapers.

Cause of diaper rash

Following factors contribute to the development of diaper rash:

• Frequent soiling: Frequent urine and stools irritate the tender skin of your baby.
• Incorrect use of diaper: The incorrect use of diaper like fastening too tight (suffocate this area further) and delay in the nappy or diaper change can leave your kid’s bottom eventually bathed in urine.
• Diet: The problem might increase when solid foods are introduced because this further increases the irritant effect of urine and defecated matter.
• Diarrhoea: For obvious reasons episodes of diarrhoea can trigger diaper dermatitis.
• Antibiotics: A course of antibiotics that kills the good bacteria in the gut of your baby can also trigger diaper dermatitis.

Diaper rash versus yeast infection

The diaper rash affects the convex surface of the diaper area and spares the folds, but the yeast infection involves the fold primarily.

Prevention of diaper rash

The general principle is to keep this area dry, free from irritants and moisturized. Therefore, the diaper should be changed before it is wet or soiled. The best method is to check if the diaper feels wet, heavy, or soiled every 1-2 hours.

Diaper/nappy should be removed gently without rubbing your baby’s skin. Clean the urine or stool with a soft cloth soaked in warm water, especially the folds.  Pat dry the area with a soft towel.

Let the diaper area air dry for a few minutes. Apply a bland moisturizer, white petrolatum jelly, or coconut oil generously over the diaper area, including the fold. This helps conserve the skin’s natural moisturizing factors and works as a barrier that delays the irritant effect of stool and urine. Put nappy or diaper only after skin is completely dry and moisturised.

Treatment of diaper rash

Once the diaper rash appears, stop the diaper use at least in day time for few days if possible. Or else change the diaper every 2 hours or even earlier of they get soiled or wet.

In addition to the diaper care listed above, start putting diaper cream instead of emollient. We have listed the top 3 brands of diaper rash creams in the next section.

Best diaper rash cream

The Zinc oxide in this cream forms a physical barrier that prevents irritant effects of urine or stools to some extent. Many brands of diaper creams are available in the market, but, unfortunately, few might worsen the rash.

A general guideline is the diaper cream should be free from:

• fragrance
• preservative
• Menthol-containing brands though they may give a cooling sensation, menthol can further irritate skin.
• Herbs and essential oils

It would be better to ask your paediatrician well in advance which diaper rash cream you should use if required and how frequently it can be used.

Brand recommendation:

Destin Diaper cream

Destin diaper cream comes in 13% Zinc oxide for mild rash and 40% Zinc oxide for severe rash. It comes in deep nourishing base.

Availablity: Amazon.in and Amazon.com

Cetaphil Diaper rash cream

Cetaphil diaper cream has Zinc oxide in a rich moisturising base made of Soybean oil, shea butter, sunflower oil, glycerine etc. It also has natural ingredients like Chamomile and vitamin E that help in soothing inflamed skin. The only downside is that we could find the percentage of Zinc oxide in this cream.

Availability: Amazon.in and Amazon.com

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Rash ointment

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Rash ointment has 40% Zinc oxide that provides a complete barrier to the penetration of irritants. It has a rich natural base made of more than ten oils, including sunflower, castor, jojoba, soybean, lavender, olive oil etc.

Regular use of this diaper cream is not recommended. It should be used only if the diaper rash is severe. In addition, the rosemary extract in this cream might irritate sensitive skin.

Availability: Amazon.in and Amazon.com

When should I visit the doctor?

Diaper rash if tackled at an early stage should heal within 2-3 days. However if the rash is severe, and does not respond to over the counter available diaper rash creams in 2-3 days and if it is spreading beyond diaper area or involving folds; you should consult your doctor. It is important not to ignore such cases as the diaper area may be involved in various skin disorders like atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, Zinc or Biotin deficiency, etc.