Can I Use Neosporin for Diaper Rash?


neosporin-for-diaper-rash

No matter how careful you are, all babies and toddlers suffer from diaper rashes at some point. So, if you are a first-time mom and worried about your baby’s diaper rashes, sit back and breathe. They can easily be treated using ointments and creams. Additionally, knowing a few things about diapering can prevent these rashes.

If you are considering using Neosporin for your little one’s diaper rashes, then it’s best to consult your pediatrician. Ideally, Neosporin should not be used for children under two years because it can potentially cause allergic reactions. Instead of Neosporin, you can use a hydrocortisone cream twice a day for five days to heal a diaper rash quickly. Usually, most rashes can be healed by cleansing with warm water and exposure to air.

Seeing your baby in discomfort due to rashes can make you upset and tense, that’s why we have created this detailed blog post with everything you need to know about diaper rashes – why they happen, treatments, how to prevent them, and why you shouldn’t be using Neosporin.

What Exactly Is a Diaper Rash?    

Diaper rash is a very common form of irritation on your baby’s bottom that makes their skin very red, tender, and flaky. A baby’s skin is very sensitive and when they remain wet for too long or if their diapers are not changed frequently, diaper rashes can occur. They affect the baby’s bottom and sometimes even spreads to their inner thighs. But it’s very common among babies and toddlers, and those red spots are nothing to be worried about.

Diaper rashes can be healed at home with proper treatment such as an ointment, changing diapers frequently, and air drying. It usually takes about three to five days for them to completely heal. With proper treatment, they will usually clear up within three or four days. However, if you notice that those rashes are not improving and instead getting worse, call your doctor or pediatrician immediately. They will be able to guide you on how to treat severe diaper rashes.

Diaper Rash in Babies: Causes

Rashes love warm, moist places, and diapers are obviously the perfect place for them to develop! A baby’s diaper rash can happen for several reasons or sometimes a combination of multiple reasons. Some of the most common factors that contribute to a bacterial diaper rash are listed below:

  1. Dirty Diapers
    Those chubby butt cheeks have sensitive skin and can get irritated easily. When this skin is exposed to dirty diapers for too long, like if your baby sleeps in a pooped diaper, the skin can irritate, and this can lead to rashes. Even wearing a wet diaper for too long can make those butts susceptible to diaper rashes.
  2. Irritants
    Disposable diapers, baby wipes, baby lotions, and even laundry detergents can sometimes contain chemicals or fragrances that can act as irritants to the baby’s skin. This can irritate a baby’s delicate skin and cause a diaper rash.
  3. Friction
    Sometimes the baby’s skin rubs or folds against the diaper, and this kind of friction can cause irritation. Chafing usually leads to a diaper rash in babies.
  4. Yeast
    No, we are not talking about the yeast that makes your bread oh-so-fluffy! Yeast infections are a kind of bacterial infection that is very common among babies due to diapers. It’s an infection that usually happens when rashes are persistent. Yeast loves a warm, moist environment, and a wet diaper is a perfect host. If a breastfeeding mom is taking antibiotics for some reason or if the baby is on antibiotics leading to a diaper rash, yeast infections can also occur.
  5. Diet Change
    If you are a breastfeeding mom, then you have noticed that your baby’s stool changes according to what you eat. If your baby’s stool changes or if they get diarrhea either because of your diet or in case your little one has just started solids, even this can sometimes lead to a diaper rash.
  6. Incorrectly Sized Diapers
    Sometimes diaper rash happens if you are making your baby wear a diaper that’s too small. This will make the diaper very tight and cling to the soft skin of your baby’s bum, leading to rashes.

These are just a few things your baby’s cute little bum is exposed to throughout the day and, obviously, they’re not very pretty. That’s why they can sometimes lead to a diaper rash.

How To Treat a Diaper Rash?

When you see those tender and red spots on your little one’s bum, it can be scary and stressful. Sometimes it’s painful for the baby as well, but fortunately, most diaper rashes can be treated at home using ointments, oils, and exposure to air. Here are some simple and easy diaper tips for treating diaper rash.

Keep The Area Clean and Dry 

This is a preventive measure as well as a treatment once you notice rashes on your little one’s bum. But this is a very important step to treat a diaper rash – keeping your baby’s diaper and bum clean and dry. During every diaper change, make sure you clean their bum and the entire area gently using a soft cloth or even alcohol-free wipes. At bath time use a mild soap to clean the area. But always remember to not rub the skin too hard.

If your baby already has a rash, allow the skin to breathe and expose it to air by laying them down on a mat or waterproof sheet without a diaper. This will help heal the baby’s rash faster.

Diapers Should Be Changed Frequently

A wet diaper is an open invitation to rashes and a yeast infection. That’s why it is best to change your baby’s diaper frequently. Moisture can irritate the skin and cause rashes, and if your baby already has a rash, a wet diaper might irritate it further.

Try Disposable Diapers

If you have been using cloth diapers and notice that your baby has a diaper rash, then maybe it’s time to make a switch to disposable diapers for a while because they are more absorbent compared to reusable cloth diapers. This helps heal the diaper rash faster.

Check The Size of The Diaper

A wrong-sized diaper can cause a diaper rash and even make an existing one worse. If your little one’s diaper is too tight, it will cling to your baby’s skin and can trap in extra moisture leading to a rash. On the other hand, if the diaper is too large, it will rub against the baby’s soft skin causing friction and making diaper rashes worse. Always make sure your baby’s diaper is the correct size to avoid these situations.

Use A Soothing Cream or Diaper Cream

Applying a thin layer of soothing cream or a diaper cream that contains zinc prevents stool or urine from touching the baby’s soft skin, and it also soothes the skin. These creams act as a barrier against irritants and even help in treating diaper rash. Some of the most common diaper creams are:

  • A+D
  • Balmex
  • Desitin

Soothing Home Remedies

Some women have claimed that natural remedies like aloe vera gel, breast milk with hazel ointment, or calendula cream work well for a diaper rash. But there is no scientific evidence to back this, just what has been shared by other moms. You can try these natural remedies, but if you notice that the rash is getting worse, contact your doctor immediately.

Why is Neosporin Not a Good Option on A Baby?

Neosporin is a topical antibiotic ointment that has been used over the years for everything from diaper rashes to healing cuts and scratches. But being a typical antibiotic, Neosporin can be a potential risk for babies, as it can trigger allergic reactions. Studies have even shown that antibiotic ointments, when applied repeatedly to a baby’s raw skin, can lead to enough absorption of the drug to cause harmful effects.

Doctors recommend Neosporin for children aged 2 years or older. For babies, it is best to use Aquaphor or other safe healing ointments that contain ingredients that are safe for use on babies.

What Ointment Is Good for Diaper Rash?

What Ointment Is Good for Diaper Rash?

There is a dearth of options available out there if you are looking for diaper rash products. Choosing the best one for your baby can be a little difficult, but always narrow down on the one that meets your needs and has ingredients that will suit your baby’s skin.

We have rounded up some of the best diaper rash creams for babies.

  1. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste: This one is the most liked by parents, especially for severe rashes, and comes with an easy-on and easy-off formula. Affordable and easily available as well.
  2. Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment: Perfect for everyday use and preventing diaper rashes, this ointment has a greasy formula but does wonders for your baby’s sensitive butt. It’s also multipurpose cream and can be used for chapped cheeks, cuts, burns, and scrapes.
  3. Organic Diaper Balm by Earth Mama: If you are looking for organic and all-natural diaper cream, then this is the one. Preservative-free, this antibacterial and antifungal balm allows the skin to breathe and heal. Not very budget friendly though.
  4. Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash: A thick cream that is meant for those tough rashes. When every other treatment fails you can trust triple paste ointment to heal your little one’s bum!
  5. Weleda Diaper Rash Cream: This one is for babies with really sensitive skin. Formulated especially for sensitive and atopic skin babies, this cream is expensive but made using pharmaceutical-grade zinc oxide and fair-trade beeswax.

Diaper Rash Free Days Are Here!

While diaper rashes are very common with babies, you can prevent infection and rashes by following simple diapering tips and maintaining clean and dry skin. If you ensure your baby’s bum is cleaned properly, change diapers frequently, and apply a diaper balm or ointment for rashes, then you and your baby can surely enjoy diaper rash-free days!

Remember the old saying, “Prevention is better than a cure.” The same goes for diaper rashes, a few preventive steps and a good ointment can go a long way in keeping those cute bums clean, fresh, and rash-free!

Diaper Rashes Are Common and Nothing To Worry About

As a new mom, it is easy to feel anxious and worried about everything when it comes to your baby. The mom guilt is very real and difficult, you tend to blame yourself for anything that goes wrong with your baby. But when it comes to diaper rashes, you don’t have to worry. They’re very common and happen to most babies because of all the moisture, wetness, and their sensitive skin.

Just follow the simple steps we mentioned above when you make your baby wear a diaper and that should help prevent the rashes. In case your bub does get a diaper rash, then there is a list of ointments for you as well. So, we hope you have everything you need to care for your baby and their adorable little bums.

Stephanie Edenburgh

I'm Steph, a mom to 3 beautiful children and lover all things having to do with my family and being a mom. I've learned a lot raising my own children and working in education and healthcare roles throughout my career. Living in beautiful Southern California I enjoy documenting and writing about all of the hard work us mom's do on a daily basis.

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