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What are the signs and symptoms? Your child's diaper area (his/her bottom) may be red and shiny, or raw and sore. His skin may be itchy, scaly, or have raised bumps. Your child may have scattered spots, or they may be grouped together. The rash may be located just on the skin surface, or just in the skin folds. It may also spread over the skin surface and into skin folds.
How can I help my child's diaper rash to go away? It is important to keep your child's diaper area clean and dry to let the area heal.
- · Change your child's diapers often. Change your child's diaper right away if it is wet or soiled from a BM. Check your child's diaper every hour during the day, and at least once during the night.
- · Clean your child's diaper area with plain, warm water. Use a squirt bottle, wet cotton balls, or a moist, soft cloth to clean your child's diaper area. Allow the skin to air dry, or gently pat it dry with a clean cloth. Do not use baby wipes or soap during diaper changes. This may cause the rash area to burn or sting. Before closing the new diaper, make sure your child's bottom is completely dry.
- · Leave your child's bottom open to air as much as possible. Do this during naps, after BMs, and during quiet times when you are playing with your child. Remember to place a large towel or pad underneath your child.
- · Do not rub or scrub the diaper rash. This could make your child's skin worse.
- · Protect your child's skin with cream or ointment. If your child has diarrhea or his bottom is dry and cracked, try zinc oxide or petroleum jelly. These items can be bought at grocery or drug stores.. Make sure your child's bottom is clean and dry before applying cream or ointment. You do not need to clean these ointments completely off between diaper changes. If your child has a BM, wipe off all BM and cream covered with BM. Use mineral oil if you need to completely remove zinc oxide cream.
- · Put super absorbent disposable diapers on your child. These diapers pull moisture (wetness) away from your child's skin so it will not be as irritated. If your child wears cloth diapers, use a stay-dry-liner to help pull moisture away from the skin.
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