How To Stay On Top Of Diaper Rash This Summer
Picture it: you’ve packed up the car, lathered the kids with suntan lotion, and set off to the beach for a day of fun in the sun. But before you’ve even begun to enjoy your summer vacation, calamity strikes–your youngest child is struck with a nasty case of diaper rash. Your baby’s crying, upset at the red, chafing skin that’s irritating their bottom. What started as a fun day at the beach has turned into a sweaty, crying mess.
Parents have enough to deal with in the summer without having to fend off diaper rash at every turn. But while diaper rash can pop up any time of the year, summer is the time when it tends to be most problematic. Higher heat levels lead to increased humidity, sweating, and moisture on the skin, all of which is the ideal breeding ground for diaper rash. But don’t worry–there are a few ways you can nip diaper rash in the bud before it has a chance to ruin your summer vacation. Here’s how:
Keep Up With Diaper Changes
It may be tough to maintain a strict diaper change schedule when you’re out and about, but it’s worth it to prevent diaper rash. Leaving a baby in a wet diaper for too long runs the risk of irritating the skin and allowing bacteria or yeast to cause an infection. Changing your baby every two to three hours or as soon as they’ve passed feces will keep their skin from getting irritated or infected. If you’re on a busy schedule, try setting a timer to remind you when it’s time for a change.
Buy Swim Diapers
This is an important tip when going to waterparks or the beach. Because too much moisture can lead to diaper rash, you want to keep your baby’s bottom as dry as possible. Swim diapers are designed to be absorbent on the inside while repelling water on the outside, preventing chafing on the skin. They also have the added benefit of keeping your baby’s feces entirely contained, avoiding any embarrassing accidents at the pool or the water park.
Keep Things Cool
The higher temperature in the summer can make your baby sweat more, which can lead to chafed, irritated skin and make existing cases of diaper rash even worse. Try to keep your baby as cool as possible to avoid excess sweating and skin irritation. Use a hat to keep their head cool, an umbrella to provide shade, and loose clothing to allow the body to cool itself in the heat. If you can, try to bring them inside for periods of time to enjoy the air conditioning and give their body temperature time to cool down.
Use Extra-Strength Diaper Cream
If all efforts fail and your baby’s skin starts showing the telltale signs of diaper rash, there’s still hope. A maximum-strength diaper cream like Triple Paste 3X Max Diaper Rash Ointment provides instant relief for stubborn and severe diaper rash. It comes recommended by pediatricians thanks to its gentle yet effective ingredients, making it a great choice both to treat and prevent diaper rash. This new formulation from Triple Paste contains 40% zinc oxide, which is the maximum amount allowable by the FDA for diaper rash. The extra zinc oxide works with the skin to form a protective barrier that seals out moisture and soothes raw, irritated skin.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be prepared for whatever the summer throws at you. Frequent diaper changes, swim diapers, and an extra-strength diaper cream should be able to contain diaper rash and keep your baby smiling all summer long.
