Do you have a teething baby and an increasingly frequent diaper rash? You may be wondering if the two are related, as many parents do. Diaper rash can be caused by several factors, one of which could include teething.
In this blog post, we will explain what diaper rashes are; how they relate to teething; and the prevention tips that you can take to reduce occurrences of both for your little one's comfort. Read on to learn more can teething cause diaper rash?
What Is Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash is a common irritation suffered by a baby's skin coming into contact with a nappy rash that causes bacterial infection. Generally, teething babies are more prone to diaper rashes due to their changing hormonal levels affecting the baby's diaper.
A teething baby is more likely to suffer from a teething-diaper rash combination as the baby's saliva is trickling down and irritating the skin during the teething process. Parents are advised to keep their baby's nappy area clean and dry and apply appropriate ointments or creams upon noticing any signs of baby discomfort.
Read More: How To Clean A Baby's Tongue
Signs That Your Baby's Diaper Rash Is Caused By Teething
There are several signs that your baby may be experiencing a diaper rash due to teething:
Redness In the Diaper Area
Teething-induced diarrhea causes redness around your baby’s bottom or genitals, this could be a sign that their diaper rash is caused by teething. This type of rash often appears as patches of red skin with raised bumps or blisters in the affected area.
It may also appear raw and inflamed, especially if your baby has been scratching at it due to discomfort from sore gums.
Extra Drooling Or Increased Saliva Production
Teething can cause increased saliva production as well as extra drooling. If you notice more drool than usual coming from your baby’s mouth, this could be an indication that they are experiencing a diaper rash due to teething.
Excess saliva can combine with urine and feces in their diaper and cause skin irritation in their bottom that leads to a rash.
Mild Fever Unusual Fussiness or Irritability
Due to Discomfort From Sore Gums, another sign that your baby’s diaper rash is caused by teething is if they have a mild fever along with being unusually fussy or irritable.
This could indicate that their sore gums are causing them discomfort which is resulting in increased fussiness or irritability. Additionally, if you notice them trying to rub their gums on hard objects such as toys or furniture, this could be another indication that their discomfort is due to teething rather than just a simple case of diaper rash.
Unwillingness To Eat Or Drink
Finally, if your baby becomes unwilling to eat or drink during times when they normally would do so, this could be another sign that their diaper rash was caused by teething rather than something else such as wet diapers or detergent residue on the diapers themselves.
If your baby suddenly stops eating or drinking despite having no other symptoms aside from a mild fever and/or unusual fussiness/irritability, it’s likely due to pain from sore gums associated with teething which should resolve itself within 1-2 days without any medical intervention needed.
Read More: How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need?
How To Prevent Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is a common issue among babies, causing discomfort and even pain at times. Here are some useful tips for preventing and treating diaper rash in babies.
1. Change Diapers Frequently:
The key to preventing diaper rash is keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry by changing their diapers frequently. Make sure you change their diaper as soon as possible after they’ve gone to the bathroom or if it feels wet or dirty. Doing this will help keep their skin dry, which will reduce the likelihood of irritation from the urine or feces in their diaper.
2. Use Gentle Cleansers
When cleaning your baby’s bottom, use mild cleansers such as petroleum jelly or zinc oxide paste instead of soap, which can dry out the skin around the diaper area or cause further irritation. Make sure you pat them dry with a soft cloth after each cleaning session.
3. Soothe Sore Gums During Teething
If your baby is teething, they may experience a lot of pain which can lead to sore gums and an increased chance of developing diaper rash due to chafing from saliva drool accumulating around their chin area while they suck on teething rings or other objects during the teething process.
To reduce this risk, make sure you wipe away any drool around their mouth before putting a new diaper on them.
4. Keep Baby Chilled Out:
Heat can cause rashes in general, so when dressing up your little one make sure you don't overdress them with too many layers of clothes as this will trap moisture close to the skin and increase the chances of getting a nasty rash!
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FAQs
Can Teething Rashes Spread?
With the rising concern of hygiene standards prevalent today, this is a question many parents of young infants are asking. The teething rash is caused by drool on a baby's skin and if left unchecked it can spread to other areas. To prevent this, it is essential to pay special attention to the cheek area, chin, and neck as these are more prone to becoming affected by the rash.
What Can Be Mistaken For Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash can be a common and uncomfortable problem for babies, but it can often be confused with other conditions. Heat rash and chafing due to friction from an ill-fitting diaper are two of the most commonly mistaken causes.
Contact dermatitis, a type of skin irritation caused by contact with an allergen such as detergent or soap, is another possible cause that's not always simple to differentiate from a typical diaper rash.
Why Is Teething Worse At Night?
Teething is a difficult and often painful process of a baby’s development. As the day progresses, babies become increasingly agitated from all the sensations they are feeling in their gums. There is usually less to distract them at night, leaving them more vulnerable to oral discomfort - which accumulates until it becomes too much for them to bear.
Conclusion
In short, teething can most certainly cause diaper rash in some babies. If you see that your baby is starting to get a red bottom after teeth begin to come in, there are a few things you can do to soothe the skin and prevent further irritation. Be sure to check with your pediatrician if the rash worsens or does not respond to home treatment measures. Do you have any other questions about teething or diaper rash? Leave us a comment below!