Diapers need to be changed at frequent intervals
Amongst man’s many wonderful inventions is the baby’s diaper that has proved its convenience and utility in a healthy way all the time. But with technology usually arrive some niggles which need to be attended to and in this case it is the diaper rash. A diaper rash is caused by an irritation to the skin when there is an appearance of redness and scaling over the area and sometimes in the form of raised pimples or soles. If further there is swelling and redness over the same patch it is a sign of super added bacterial or yeast infection.
The skin is covered by a few layers of cells which are sloughed off as they age while the inner layers help prevent water loss, repel water and prevent injury to underneath important organs while keeping the microbial activity at bay. It is an unrelenting job. But in some occasions when there is prolonged moisture and wetness, increased warmth due to enclosed covering and irritation due to the constant friction of the diaper against the outer layer of the skin it leads to formation of a diaper rash. Moisture, warmth and friction are the usual suspects. As the child in the later part of the first year of life is exposed to all foods rich in salt etc. there is an increase in urea and ammonia in the urine which activates the enzymes of the stool and further increases the vulnerability of the outer layer of the skin and thereby an irritating injury. If the rash does not resolve on its own in about three days, it is likely that the warm and moist conditions have provoked the bacteria and yeast to grow and cause a secondary infection.
The area of the rash becomes red, scaly, swollen and tender thereby making the child uncomfortable to say the least and very irritable. Any pressure over the area while handling the child worsens the rash and pain. The child’s appetite and activity are thereby affected and they become morose.
An effective and practical solution is to “air out” the area and discontinue the use of diapers for about three days. At least the diapers need to be changed at frequent intervals and more so when the infant is asleep as they tend to wet the linen often during that period. The child’s bottom should be soaked with warm water between changes of diaper and allowed to dry out completely before putting the new one on.
If the rash does not subside in three days mild homoeopathic medicines can be used to clear the condition. The rash should yield well usually to Rhus tox and Dulcamara. If the child seems to develop itching, Clematis and Graphites should help and if there is oozing of the area due to scratching. Petroleum and Sulphur are other remedies that help when there is recurrence.
A child prone to skin conditions including such a rash responds well to Psorinum.
