We’ve had a flood of new babies in the office these last few months. And, along with new babies, come new baby problems. Babies tend to get a lot of diaper rash. If you are a new parent, you’ve undoubtedly seen frequent yellow/green loose stools. Parents describe them as looking like “pesto”, or “yellow mustard with cottage cheese”.
Now that I’ve messed with your appetite, let’s talk about why these frequent stools cause such a moody booty. These little squirts of joy are acidic and they tend to burn the tender skin on your baby’s bum. It’s common for parents to come into the office worried about their child’s red and very painful diaper rash. Early and aggressive treatment is indicated to avoid serious ulceration of the skin. (Note that many older children contract intestinal viruses in the summer months, the resulting diarrhea causes similar skin problems. The treatment for these older kids is the same).
So, what’s the best remedy for this malodorous malady?
Everybody seems to have their own solution for this problem, but over the years I’ve found the most effective is plain old zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is found in many over-the-counter diaper rash products. I recommend using the 40% zinc oxide (you can find this in Maximum Strength Desitin®, Boudreaux’s® Butt Paste or Aquaphor® Maximum Strength Baby Diaper Rash Paste).
Three steps to a fabulous fanny:
- Step 1: Don’t use wipes. Use a spray bottle and soft cloth towel (like an old cloth diaper or t-shirt). Dab, don’t wipe the old stool away.
- Step 2: If there are open sores, you must dry this before applying the paste. Use a hair-dryer set on low (be careful not to burn your baby’s bum).
- Step 3: Apply the 40% Zinc Oxide. Put it on thick, like you’re putting frosting on a cupcake. Seriously, if the stool can’t contact the skin, the skin will heal. The whole idea is to create a barrier. (Often health providers will recommend mixing in some liquid antacid, this can help reduce the acidity of the skin, but if you use too much the mixture will not be thick enough to protect the skin).
Note: Letting your child sit in a tub of warm water with some baking soda will help neutralize the acidity of your baby’s skin and give some much needed pain relief.
If this doesn’t take care of your baby’s cranky caboose within 3-4 days, see your child’s health care provider to rule out yeast or other causes.