Everyone from infants to adults can have diaper rash if they wear diapers or incontinence briefs. Adults may experience similar symptoms to those seen in infants and toddlers, such as a rash that ranges in color from pink to red or skin that appears irritated or peeling.
When diapers aren’t changed often enough, the chemicals in pee and stool can irritate the skin, causing diaper rash. An allergic response or a fungal or yeast infection are some potential causes.
For comfort and to avoid more discomfort, it is critical to treat diaper rash as soon as possible. For adults suffering from diaper rash, here are six tried-and-true methods for alleviating the pain.
- Maintain Clean Skin
Making sure the afflicted region is kept clean and dry is the first step in how to relieve diaper rash discomfort fast. Proper hygiene is vital since diaper rash is mainly caused by germs and moisture. To avoid staying wet for too long, change your diapers or incontinence briefs often. After each change, gently wash your skin using warm water and a light soap that does not have any aroma. Scrubbing the area too vigorously could make it worse.
To avoid further drying out the skin, pat it down with a gentle towel after washing. It is also essential to wait until the skin is totally dry before changing into a clean diaper or brief, as any amount of moisture might worsen the rash.
- Dry Your Skin
After washing, make sure the skin around the diaper area is fully dry. Pay close attention to this step: Although the skin possesses built-in defenses, they are rendered ineffective when the skin is damp. Yeast, which can amplify the symptoms of diaper rash, thrives on wet skin. After patting the skin in the diaper area dry, let it air dry.
- Diaper Rash Barrier Creams
Picking a diaper cream with care is a sensible idea. A diaper cream’s ability to form a protective barrier is its most critical quality. Specifically, how effectively it prevents perspiration, bacteria, and other skin irritants from reaching the skin.
Zinc oxide is an excellent base for most routine uses. Zinc oxide not only acts as a barrier, but it also moisturizes gently, reduces irritation, and inhibits the formation of skin germs.
Petroleum jelly, called Vaseline, is a more cost-effective and practical alternative for daily use.
You should probably apply more diaper cream when diaper rash first appears. On those days, you should still use a high-quality barrier cream; therefore, a formulation containing petroleum jelly or zinc oxide is still a wise choice. Still, it could be worth your while to seek a combo medication that has additional active components.
Additional components that may be beneficial in a diaper cream available without a prescription include:
- Combined with dimethicone and silicone to form an extra protective layer against moisture
- Using dexpanthenol can aid in skin surface healing.
- With taurine, inflammation is reduced, and the skin’s natural oil barrier is strengthened.
- A and D vitamins help nourish and repair skin
- The antimicrobial properties of zinc gluconate
- Glycerin, mineral oil, or lanolin to soothe and calm dry, cracked skin
- A mentholated analgesic
Remember that some people have skin sensitivities to specific substances. This is not the time to use fragrance-laden or ingredient-heavy creams on such skin types.
- Natural Compounds/Products
There are other methods you might attempt if you’re interested in alleviating diaper rash. If you’re looking for an alternative to or supplement to the standard barrier creams for diaper rash prevention and treatment, there are many options available.
A lot of barrier creams use old-fashioned, all-natural components. Here are some natural compounds that have been proven to work:
- Protect and repair your skin with aloe vera
- An anti-inflammatory herb called calendula officinalis, also known as marigold,
- Olea europaea, more commonly known as olive oil, has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.
- Henna, or Lawsonia inermis, is known for its anti-inflammatory characteristics.
- The antibacterial properties of citrus acid
- Probiotics
Skin may be naturally protected from the impacts of pathogenic yeasts and other pathogens by probiotics, which contain cultures of beneficial bacteria.
Beneficial bacteria alter the skin’s chemical environment, reducing the likelihood of yeast and harmful bacterial growth. Additionally, they inhibit the growth of yeast and other problematic bacteria by competing with them head-on. Promoting a balanced microbiota is the fundamental rationale for probiotics. This means that beneficial bacteria can multiply rapidly on the skin.
Oral liquids or powders that dissolve in milk or water are the most common form of probiotics used to treat diaper rash. Topical creams are now under investigation and could be available soon.
- Treatments for diaper rash that require a prescription
In most cases, a prescription is not necessary to cure diaper rash. However, more potent treatment may be necessary in certain cases. Various factors can lead to diaper rash, and in certain cases, more than one may manifest simultaneously.
Some drugs that your healthcare professional may prescribe for diaper rash are:
- Topical antifungal medications like miconazole and nystatin
- Mupirocin (Bactroban) and other antibacterial ointments Steroid creams like hydrocortisone and desonide
- Cephalexin (Keflex) and other oral antibiotics
In the end!
Even though adult diaper rash is extremely uncomfortable, it is manageable and gets better fast with the correct treatment. When dealing with diaper rash, it’s essential to follow these steps:
- Keep the region dry and clean.
- Apply barrier creams.
- Choose incontinence products that let the skin breathe.
- Use gentle and fragrance-free products.
- Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight.
- Consult a doctor if needed.
These measures may help you stay comfortable and rash-free, which also aids in healing and prevent further aggravation.
