| Establishing a skincare routine that keeps babies' skin | | | | condition. Items containing Zinc oxide are appropriate. |
| healthy remains a challenge for parents, since up to | | | | Zinc oxide is a skin protectant and soothing. The |
| 50% of babies suffer from at least one episode of | | | | amount of zinc oxide is usually less in a cream than in |
| diaper rash at some time. Diaper rash is an irritant | | | | an ointment. As with any patient with any condition, the |
| contact dermatitis caused by the interaction of several | | | | individual child's needs may vary. An ointment is a |
| factors, particularly the prolonged contact of the skin | | | | thicker barrier with petrolatum and offers more |
| with urine and feces, which makes the skin more | | | | protection. These may be purchased over the counter |
| prone to disruption through friction with the diaper. | | | | and will have other ingredients included. Doctors may |
| Prevention of diaper rash is the ultimate goal, but if the | | | | use topical steroids for the care of diaper rash. |
| condition does develop, treatment should aim to | | | | However, topical steroid therapy should be reserved |
| reverse the skin damage and prevent recurrence. | | | | for use where the rash has failed to respond to over |
| Routine baby skincare should comprise of gentle | | | | the counter approaches, and antifungal treatment |
| cleansing whenever the diaper is soiled (using warm | | | | should only be employed where Candida infection is |
| water or alcohol-free baby wipes), the use of | | | | established or suspected. Parents should implement a |
| good-quality super-absorbent diapers, and the | | | | simple skincare routine that could help keep babies' skin |
| application of an ointment or cream preparation at | | | | healthy.The key to prevention and treatment of all |
| every diaper change. The ointment or cream should | | | | diaper rashes is frequent diaper changing, cleansing |
| be clinically proven to be effective in babies and mimic | | | | with a mild soap and water after each stool, and |
| the skin's natural function by forming a long-lasting | | | | application of the appropriate topical agent.Source: |
| barrier to maintain maximum moisture levels. It should | | | | Bokowski, S, Diaper Rash Management. Pediatr Nurs. |
| not contain any unnecessary ingredients, including | | | | 2004 Nov-Dec;30(6):467-70.Marie-Elsie Ade is a |
| antiseptic, preservative or perfume, or any ingredients | | | | Pharmacist with a B.S from Long Island University in |
| that are toxic or have undocumented | | | | New York and a PharmD from Nova Southeastern |
| safety.Treatment of diaper rash should comprise | | | | University in Florida. She is a licensed pharmacist as |
| essentially the same actions as its prevention. | | | | well as a licensed consultant pharmacist (Florida license |
| Application of a barrier ointment at every diaper | | | | PS29264 and PU4703). She works for one of the |
| change can help to both prevent and treat this | | | | premier health systems in South Florida. |