What Causes Diaper Rash and How Do I Prevent It?

There’s nothing quite like pulling back your baby’s diaper to be greeted by a bright red bottom— yikes. First of all, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and read on.  

Diaper rash is just irritated skin and most commonly appears as a red and splotchy spot, often caused by prolonged exposure to a wet or soiled diaper . Babies with particularly sensitive skin are also prone to irritation despite frequent changes. Fortunately, diaper rash is usually not severe enough to warrant medical intervention. With the right products and tools, you will be a wiz at identifying, treating, and preventing diaper rash at home. 

What are the symptoms of diaper rash? 

Diaper rashes commonly appear in babies between 4 and 15 months old. It grows best in warm, moist places– and we all know where that place is for babies. Tell-tale diaper rash symptoms include:  

• A bright red rash on the bottom, privates, and hip creases 
• Very red and scaly/flaky areas or red patches 
• Sores or bumps in the diaper area 
• Discomfort, fussiness, and crying 

• Inflammation and tenderness 

What causes diaper rash?  

Just like poo happens, diaper rash also—just happens sometimes. So don’t worry! Diaper rash doesn’t mean you’re failing parenthood. Your baby will forgive you. Your baby is not even going to remember this!  

Diaper rash has many innocent causes, such as leaving a soiled diaper on for too long, fastening a diaper too tight, using a new product, introducing new food or medications, or just plain old skin sensitivity.   

Your red-bummed babe may be more prone to diaper rash if they're experiencing frequent bowel movements or wearing a diaper that doesn’t fit right. Plus, babies grow fast! As your baby begins to eat solid foods, the content of their stool changes creating a prime breeding ground for the devilish rash. 

Heal Diaper Rash at Home 

Thankfully, most diaper rashes can be treated with good-old fashioned TLC and a good salve such as Hello Bello’s own Diaper Rash Cream.  

Also, minimize their contact with diapers for the time being. Whenever it’s possible, you should ditch the diaper and lay your baby bare bottomed on a towel to avoid further irritation. 

 If you aren’t already using it, talc-free baby powder is a true godsend and will reduce the chance of your little human developing a rash in the future.  

Though you can manage your baby’s diaper rash without going to a doctor,  you should contact a medical professional in instances where:  

• It worsens or does not go away by day 3  
• It spreads to other parts of the body 
• You notice pimples, blisters, ulcers, large bumps, or sores filled with pus 

• Your baby also has a fever 
• Your baby develops a rash during the first six weeks after birth 

How do I prevent diaper rash?  

Once you’ve gone through it, you don’t really want to go through it again (for obvious reasons). So here are some things you can do to help diaper rash from developing in the future:  

• Clean your baby’s bottom from back to front using wipes with no alcohol or fragrances  
• Take care to clean between your baby’s skin folds 
• Let skin air dry and apply a thick layer of skin barrier cream or a cream with zinc oxide 
• Then put on a new diaper, making sure it’s not fitted too loosely or too tightly 

As you know, raising a baby is an unpredictable, sometimes messy adventure. So don’t let a case of diaper rash get you down — you got this! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to drop a comment below.