The skin of a newborn needs careful care to maintain it, because the skin of a newborn is not fully developed and formed and is easily affected by external factors and may be more susceptible to dryness, inflammation, bacterial and fungal infections and other skin diseases. This article will include your guide to choosing a diaper cream suitable for your baby to take care of the newborn's skin, depending on his condition, there are creams to prevent diaper inflammation and other creams to soothe diaper inflammation and other creams to restore the baby's skin after diaper sores and also there are other creams when infected with bacterial or fungal infections to eliminate bacteria and fungi.
Diaper inflammation and its causes
Diaper dermatitis is an inflammation, rash or ulceration of the baby's skin in the diaper area as a result of the following:
- The baby's skin is constantly getting wet as a result of being exposed to urine or feces and not changing and drying the baby's skin properly.
- Friction between the baby's skin and the diaper, whether the diaper is narrow or wide, leads to increased friction and inflammation of the baby's skin.
- Bacterial and fungal infections as a result of prolonged exposure of the baby's skin to moisture without drying.
- Perfumes and chemicals in the diaper can also lead to inflammation of the baby's skin.
Determining the type of inflammation and its cause is very important for treatment, and on the basis of choosing the right cream for the treatment of diaper inflammation.
Tips for the Prevention of diaper dermatitis
- Change the diaper regularly when it is wet or full.
- Use a gentle cleanser on the baby's skin to clean the diaper place.
- Good cleaning of the baby's skin at each diaper change using wipes moistened with water, free of fragrances and allergens.
- Do not rub the skin when cleaning it and gently clean.
- Expose the baby's skin to the air as much as possible until it dries.
- Use a protective diaper cream after each change.
- Usage of Moisturizing cream To keep the baby's skin from drying out, cracking, bacterial and fungal infections.
- Use a diaper that is suitable for the baby's weight and do not use a narrow diaper or a wide diaper.
- Monitor the appearance of any allergy on the baby's skin as a result of certain foods.
The importance of using a cream for the Prevention of diaper dermatitis
- Protect the child from diaper inflammation, which is a painful inflammation that bothers the child and affects his health strongly.
- Protect the baby's skin from constant exposure to moisture as a result of contact with urine or feces.
- Protect the skin of the newborn because the skin is incompletely formed and needs to be protected and treated gently.
- Protect the newborn's skin from allergies because it is more susceptible to allergies to perfumes and allergens from chemicals such as alcohol, parabens and lanolin.
- Protect the newborn's skin from drying out because it is more prone to dryness and cracked skin.
- Protect the baby's skin because it is more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
Types of diaper creams available in the market
There are many diaper creams available on the market, which differ in their composition and active substances, and therefore differ in their role and effect as follows:
- Creams containing soothing and restorative natural ingredients for the skin affected by diaper dermatitis, such as honey, sesame oil, olive oil and avocado.
- Creams containing zinc oxide, which is one of the most famous active substances used in diaper creams, zinc oxide forms a layer over the skin to protect it from wetness and moisture and helps to restore the skin.
- Creams containing petroleum jelly, which work to form a layer over the skin to protect it from moisture and wetness and thus protect the skin from ulcers and inflammation of the diaper.
Diaper creams should preferably be free of fragrances and allergens such as colors, preservatives, lanolin and others.
The most important active substances when choosing a diaper cream for your baby
- Zinc oxide works to form a layer on the skin to protect it.
- Olive oil works to moisturize and nourish the skin and protect it from drying out.
- Aloe vera works to moisturize the skin, soothe and restore inflamed skin.
- Vitamin A and vitamin D play an important role in the restoration of the skin.
- Calendula acts as an anti-inflammatory for the skin.
- Beeswax acts as an anti-inflammatory and also helps to restore and moisturize the skin.
- Shea butter works to moisturize and nourish the skin.
The most important factors influencing the choice of the right diaper cream for your baby
- The degree and type of diaper inflammation or symptoms experienced by the baby is the main guide for your choice of the right diaper cream.
- The presence of inflammation and rash indicates the need to use a diaper cream containing antibacterial and antifungal agents such as ketoconazole.
- The presence of minor redness of the skin requires the use of an anti-inflammatory and moisturizing cream to protect the baby's skin from getting wet, such as zinc oxide, olive, panthenol or beeswax.
- The presence of ulcers on the baby's skin requires the use of antibacterial and antifungal with anti-inflammatory and skin restorer.
Cheap and excellent diaper cream for your baby
- Mustela cream for the treatment of diaper inflammation with vitamins 100 grams.
- Sebamed diaper dermatitis cream for children is 100 grams.
- Sudo antiseptic and skin restorative diaper cream 250 grams.
The right way to use diaper cream
- Clean the diaper area thoroughly and then dry it well before using the diaper cream.
- Using an abundant amount of cream is better than using a smaller amount than required.
- Cover any areas with inflammation or redness with a thick layer of diaper cream.
- Use diaper cream with every diaper change.
- The use of diapers made of tissues that allow the baby's skin to be ventilated.
Natural mixtures for your baby instead of diaper cream
- Aloe vera can be used because it is moisturizing and soothing for inflammation.
- Cold chamomile tea can be used to clean the baby's skin with a napkin because it is anti-inflammatory.
- Calendula cream can be used to restore the skin and soothe inflammation.
- Coconut oil can be used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, as well as soothes and restores the skin.
- Breast milk can be used as an antibacterial, moisturizing and soothing agent for the baby's skin.
Sources
- Products (incidecoder.com)
- Ingredients decoded (incidecoder.com)
- Diaper Rash: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)
- Baby Diaper Rash: Overview, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (webmd.com)
Author of the article
Ibrahim Ammar
More than 15 years of experience in beauty products, skin and hair care
Egyptian Pharmacist
Mansoura University. Faculty of Pharmacy 2008