Diaper rash is an inflammation of the skin in the area of the body that is covered with a diaper. Anyone who uses diapers or incontinence products can have a diaper rash, regardless of their age and gender. Although diaper rash is the most common skin infection in infants and young children but can occur at any age if you wear diapers. Adult diaper rash is commonly characterized by redness, swelling and irritation in the diaper area include genitalia, buttocks or thighs.
It is important to determine if skin irritation is mild or severe. This distinction is usually quite easy to make. One of the first signs of diaper rash is redness in the area usually covered by the diaper. In mild cases, it may be a faint redness while in severe cases you may see small red dots as well.
Here is what you can do to prevent diaper rashes or any other skin infection while using adult diaper:-
1. Use of super-absorbent diaper
Super absorbent disposable diapers are best suited to keep the skin dry. These diapers are made with super absorbent polymer, which makes the diapers able to absorb more liquid for a long period of time. However, experts say diapers need replacing six or seven times a day and immediately after bowel movements because urine enzymes and other fecal substances can irritate the skin.
Most of the diapers are made of plastic, which prevents the flow of air into the bottom area. As a result, urine and moisture become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi and often aggravate the situation of rash. You need to make sure that you use only natural, harmless and organic products. This way your skin will not be irritated or sore.
2. Practice frequent diaper changes
Do your best to keep your skin clean and dry. This means that wet or soiled diapers should be changed immediately. Your skin may become red and sensitive when exposed to moisture and chemicals in common diapers. Microorganism often goes into contact with diapers due to wetness and humid temperature inside the pants. Avoid this kind of problem and practice changing your diaper every 4-5 hours.
3. Apply anti-rash ointment or powder
Skin ointments increase the tolerance of your delicate skin. There are also some bathing soaps that do not contain alkali, which makes it suitable for your skin. Apply the cream on the affected area to treat diaper rash. Use the cream after each diaper change in areas prone to diaper dermatitis.
If you are not using a lotion or lubricating cream, then use medicated talcum powder and smooth out in your skin. Apply it daily or as needed to absorb moisture and sweat to avoid harsh diaper rash. You can also use wet wipes as they are hypoallergenic and do not irritate the skin; instead, they can help prevent diaper rash and other skin conditions.
4. Allow your skin to dry
An important step in treating diaper dermatitis is to keep the bottom area clean and dry. When you have finished cleaning your butt area, dry it before applying a thick layer of protective cream. Leave your skin without a diaper for a while to let the butt dry in the air. Give the diaper area plenty of fresh air. It is not always necessary to wear a diaper; you can remove it for 10-15 minutes. Other few things to keep in mind are:-
- Avoid incontinence diaper with fragrance.
- Clean your bottom front to back.
- Do not rub your skin.
- Gently clean your diaper area, never be harsh on yourself.
5. Ensure correct diaper size
An adult diaper should sit comfortably on the body. If the diapers are too small or too tight, they stick to the skin, which in turn can cause painful rashes. The tight size of diaper limits the flow of air in the perineum and creates a moist environment in which bacteria can grow. If the diapers are too wide or too loose, there may be holes that irritate the skin. Know your correct size by ordering free diapers first.
6. Get a dermatologist appointment
Patients with diaper rash are at risk of much more serious infections and skin problems. If the diaper rash does not disappear despite the above resolution, consult a doctor. Doctors usually diagnose diaper dermatitis by looking at the patient’s medical history and performing a physical examination.
Diaper rash may not seem like a big problem because it’s so common, but it can get a little tricky if proper care is not given. Therefore, consult your dermatologist, if the diaper rash persists for more than a week.
If shame prevents you from talking to your doctor about diaper rash, then you should know that millions of men and women face this problem every day. It is important to consult to doctor in order to reduce the chances of more complicated medical problems.
Conclusion
We can conclude from the above tips that diaper rash can be treated at home. A rash in the diaper area can be the result of many causes. It may be difficult to distinguish one type of rash from another, but appropriate treatments are readily available. The rash disappears when diapers are changed more frequently, the skin is washed and thoroughly cleaned, or when medicated ointments are applied to the skin.
