Does baby powder help diaper rash? You might wonder about this from time to time when you are about to or currently have a baby. The general answer is yes but with some additions. Many believed that baby powder was safe to prevent and treat the rash. Sadly, it isn’t the best option available for the babies. So, what is the solution?
Is Baby Powder Safe?
Baby powders are either made of talc, cornstarch, or arrowroot. However, the commonly circulated powders on the market today mostly contain talc and cornstarch. The properties of these ingredients can guarantee that irritated areas remain dry, absorb excess moisture, and reduce chafing.
The products used to help prevent rashes in babies, like diaper rash, because of their properties in the past. But, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is against using talc or cornstarch baby powders because they may cause breathing problems and lung damage when the baby inhales a lot of the powder.
Sometimes, it can even irritate the baby’s sensitive and delicate skin. Therefore, to prevent these issues from occurring, it’s probably best to skip using baby powder altogether.
What to Use Instead of Baby Powder to Treat Diaper Rash?
Does baby powder help diaper rash? Now you know the answer to this question, let’s find out what products you should use as alternatives. According to Parents, pediatricians encourage parents to consider using oil-based lotions or creams. Other products that are good to use instead of baby powders are:
- Baking soda
- Kaolin clay
- Bentonite clay
- Tapioca starch
- Magnesium (as supplements)
However, if you are still adamant about using powder, you can use baby powders made from cornstarch or arrowroot. These products would be less riskier for babies because they have larger particles than powder. You can follow the advice below to use baby powders more safely:
- Gently dab a light layer of baby powder on the skin around the genitals and on the legs rather than directly on the genitals.
- Refrain from using baby powder near or around you and your child’s face to prevent any possible inhalation.
- Avoid baby powder from entering your baby’s eyes.
- Make sure the baby powder is out of reach of your child.
- When you are about to use the baby powder, put the products directly into your hand or a cloth away from your face.
- Don’t shake or put the baby powder straight onto your baby because the child might inhale some of the products.
What Causes Diaper Rash?
Does baby powder help diaper rash? It was indeed a good option in the past. However, plenty of other products are now better at treating diaper rash. Several factors can cause diaper rash to happen to your baby. Below are the seven most common ones.
1. Bacteria
Bacteria may cause diaper rash in your baby because they thrive in warm and moist environments like in diapers. Thus, if the rash indeed happens, the main reason may be bacterial infection. In particular, when you haven’t changed your baby’s diaper for quite some time, causing the child to sleep or spend too much time in a dirty diaper.
2. Chafing
The diaper’s design is to fit comfortably on your baby’s body to prevent it from moving and leaking, especially when it becomes dirty. However, if the diaper is too tight, it can irritate the baby’s skin and cause diaper rash. When you notice that the diaper fits too tightly on your baby’s body, you can try changing it to a bigger size.
3. Changes in Baby’s Diet
If you recently changed your baby’s diet from breast milk to either formula milk or solid foods, this may also change your baby’s stool. The changes in diet can lead to getting diaper rash.
4. Dirty Diapers
The most common cause of diaper rash is a dirty diaper. In a soiled diaper, feces and urine rub against and irritate your baby’s skin due to bacterial infections. After some time, diaper rash could occur as a consequence.
5. Excessive Moisture
Skin needs moisture to be healthy, but excessive moisture can cause problems. When the skin is too damp, bacteria could flourish because of the warm and moist environment. The seal around your baby’s waist and thighs traps the moisture inside the diaper. Therefore, check whether these areas are dry before putting on a diaper.
6. Sensitive Skin
Babies always have delicate skin, but some are more sensitive than others. For instance, your baby may have eczema-prone or hypersensitive skin. Usually, these types of skin are more susceptible to diaper rash and irritation.
7. Yeast Infection
Sometimes, the root of your baby’s diaper rash is a yeast infection. A strain of yeast called Candida lives on the skin’s surface. This yeast may have found a footing in the creases area of the diaper, causing diaper rash in your baby.
How to Treat Diaper Rash?
The question “Does baby powder help diaper rash” is answered. It has been proven that baby powder containing talc may cause respiratory and dermatologic risks to the baby. In treating the rash, you can follow these steps to ensure it gets treated properly.
- Keep your baby’s diaper area clean and dry. Clean the skin gently with a soft cloth, baby wipes, or a squirt of water from a bottle. Don’t rub the baby’s skin too hard, and avoid any products that contain alcohol.
- Change the diapers often and switch to disposable diapers. Don’t let your child in a dirty diaper for too long.
- Check the size of your child’s diaper to avoid using the too-tight ones.
- Apply soothing creams containing zinc to calm the baby’s skin and prevent contact with feces and other irritants. Also, refrain from using baby powder, especially in the diaper areas.
- Avoid any highly fragranced products and start using hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products.
So, Does Baby Powder Help Diaper Rash?
In the case of “Does baby powder help diaper rash”, the answer is no, especially talcum-based baby powder. Other baby powders from cornstarch and arrowroot are deemed much safer for preventing and treating diaper rash. So, be sure to choose the best option for your little one!
