|
 |
|
|
|
Protect your baby from top to bottom
Your baby's delicate skin can be prone to a number of irritating conditions -- from cradle cap to diaper rash -- starting in just the first few weeks of life. Since a baby's skin is (and always will be) the largest and most sensitive organ, it's important to keep it healthy and happy from the start. Fortunately, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way in keeping your baby comfortable from head to bottom.
|
|
|
|
|
Cradle Cap
The first thing to remember about cradle cap is that it's not dangerous. But it can be a bit unsightly, and let's face it, every proud parent wants to keep their little one in tip-top shape. So here are a couple of pointers:
- Cradle cap refers to a relatively common scaly inflammation on a baby's scalp. Yellow, greasy patches can also appear on the baby's skin and eyebrows.
- It generally appears in the first few weeks of life, disappears within a month, and usually never returns. Sometimes, though, it reappears and can spread to other regions.
- Treatment is simple: gently massage the baby's scalp with baby oil, then wash with a nonmedicated shampoo. Do not scrape off. Avoid getting the shampoo into the baby's eyes. Take care not to apply any pressure to the fontanels, the soft spots on a baby's head where the skull has not yet closed.
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is one of the occupational hazards of being a baby. It just goes along with the territory. But it doesn't have to be a full-time problem and there are many ways you can keep it in check.
- Change diapers often, and as soon as possible after they become wet.
- When possible, wash the baby between changings with plain water. If you need to use wipes, use an unscented, hypoallergenic brand.
- Dry the baby's skin completely before re-diapering and keep it as dry as possible. When changing your baby at home, sometimes having the baby wear nothing can help with the drying process. Baby skin is very sensitive, so hair dryers may not be the best thing to use. Not all hair dryers are calibrated to the same temperature. Low setting on one hair dryer may differ from others by various degrees.
- Protect delicate skin with a dusting powder such as cornstarch or an ointment containing zinc oxide or mineral oil.
- Avoid plastic pants; they just trap moisture next to your baby's skin and make the problem worse.
- Disposable diapers with the added ingredient AGM (absorbent gelling material) can help reduce diaper rash. The diapers are actually lined with material that absorbs moisture and captures it by turning into gel. They're more expensive, but it's good to know you have the option if you need it.
- You might want to switch diaper types. Cloth diapers allow more air flow to your baby's skin, while disposables can help wick moisture away from skin.
The Diaper Brigade
As the great debate between cloth and disposable diapers rages on, we feel obliged to report that diaper rash is associated less often with cloth diapers cleaned by a diaper service than with disposable diapers. The highest frequency of diaper rash occurred with cloth diapers washed at home. To improve your record with cloth diapers you launder yourself, try one or more of the following:
- Wash with a mild soap, avoiding harsh detergents and water softeners.
- Add a disinfectant or ordinary bleach during the wash cycle to reduce bacteria.
- Rinse diapers thoroughly after washing. Two rinse cycles are recommended.
- Air dry diapers in the sun to help kill bacteria.
- Iron and dry wash diapers to help reduce bacteria and fungi.
- Add one cup of vinegar to a half-filled washing machine and soak diapers for 30 minutes before washing.
|
|
|
|
|
Skin protectants
Diaper rash and cradle cap serve to annoy your baby and disconcert you. When skin protectants are applied to clean, dry skin, they form a protective layer that keeps irritants from contacting the skin. They may also soften a scaly scalp. In any event, if your baby's diaper rash or cradle cap does not improve or actually worsens, consult a physician. This may be a sign of a more serious problem -- an infection of some sort -- that no skin protectant can possibly treat.
Unapproved substances
There were many substances deemed not safe or effective by the FDA for the treatment of diaper rash: external analgesics, antifungals, and antimicrobials/antiseptics.
| Skin Protectants | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Allantoin | ? | Allantoin is an effective skin protectant to relieve diaper rash. It may help in the restoration of damaged skin, so it's a good idea to put it on acne and irritated skin. It does not seem to elicit allergic reactions. | | Calamine | ? | Calamine contains approximately 98% zinc oxide and 0.5% ferrous oxide. It has some astringent properties. Like allantoin, it's good on irritated skin as it leaves a cooling sensation. | | Dimethicone | ? | Dimethicone is a synthetic silicone oil that is also quite nontoxic. Dimethicone in products allows the contents to be spread easier and, in high concentrations, has emollient properties. | | Kaolin | ? | A combination of purified aluminum silicates, kaolin works by absorbing moisture (water and oils) and irritants. It can be easily removed. | | Lanolin | ? | Though generally safe and effective, lanolin is a fat-like substance extracted from sheep wool and can cause allergies in some babies. It has emollient properties, but its function as an emulsifier is debated. | | Mineral oil | ? | Mineral oil is a petroleum-derived product used to soften cradle cap and has great cleansing capabilites. It is not known to cause allergies. | | Petrolatum | ? | Petrolatum is a nontoxic petroleum-derived product that prevents moisture evaporation from the skin. | | Talc | ? | Talc works by absorbing moisture and irritants, but is unsafe as it may lead to lung infections when inhaled by your baby. | | Topical cornstarch | ? | Topical cornstarch absorbs moisture and irritants better than talc, but some babies may be allergic to it. | | White petrolatum | ? | A generally nontoxic petroleum-derived product, white petrolatum is used for cradle cap. | | Zinc oxide | ? | Found in many diaper rash ointments, zinc oxide is an excellent protectant because it has astringent and slight antimicrobial action. It does not seem to elicit allergic reactions. | | Unapproved Substances | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| External analgesics | ? | External analgesics are counterirritants or topical anesthetics used to relieve pain and itching, but are not proven safe or effective. | | Antifungals | ? | Antifungal medications are not determined to be safe or effective. Fungal infections associated with diaper rash should therefore be evaluated by a health professional. | | Antimicrobials | ? | Antimicrobial medications are not determined to be safe or effective. Bacterial infections associated with diaper rash should be evaluated by a health professional. |
|
|
|
|
|
Appropriate Uses
Diaper rash powder
Absorbs moisture from the skin and reduces friction against it.
Diaper rash skin protectant
Soothes the discomfort of mild rashes and protects the skin from irritants and moisture.
White petrolatum
Softens scaly patches on the scalp caused by cradle cap, soothes the discomfort of mild rashes, protects the skin from irritants, and repels moisture.
Zinc oxide ointment
Soothes the discomfort of mild rashes, absorbs moisture from the skin, reduces friction against the skin, and has mild antiseptic properties.
Common Misconceptions
Antimicrobial/antifungal cream
Claims to kill the microorganisms that cause diaper rash. This claim is misleading because many types of bacteria or fungi can cause diaper rash and it's unclear whether they are always a cause or merely a result of diaper rash. These creams should not be used to treat diaper rash.
Diaper rash skin protectant
Claims to speed the healing of diaper rash. This claim is misleading because the FDA feels there is no convincing evidence that wound-healing agents can heal diaper rash.
Itch pain reliever
Has been used for treatment of diaper rash. This use is inappropriate because creams containing benzocaine or hydrocortisone can irritate skin further. In addition, itch pain relievers require application to the itchy area, something a baby cannot tell you specifically.
White petrolatum
May claim to absorb moisture. This claim is misleading because white petrolatum does not absorb moisture. It can actually trap moisture beneath it when applied to damp skin.
|
|
|
|
|
Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Covington, TR; RR Berardi, LL Young, SC Kendall, MJ Hickey.Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington DC, 1996.
- 2. Food & Drug Administration.Federal Register 12/18/92; 6/20/90.
- 3. Jones, S; W Freitag.Guide to Baby Products, 5th ed. Consumer Reports Books, Yonkers, NY, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
| |
|
