You are minding your own business, changing your baby, when you notice a red, irritated area on your baby’s skin. If you touch it, you may notice that the spot is a little warm and puffy as well. Yes, your baby probably has diaper rash, but what do you do about it? And how did your baby get it? Is diaper rash always the result of the diaper?

The first thing to know is that you have no reason to panic. Diaper rash is very common among all babies. It can be very mild, with just a few spots here and there, or it can be more extensive, ranging all the way to your baby’s tummy or his or her thighs. Do not worry; diaper rash is easy to fix and once you know how it came about, you might even be able to avoid it in the future.

There are several common ways a baby might develop diaper rash. The most common reason is the wetness left on a baby’s skin after he or she soils the diaper. Diapers these days are extremely absorbent, but that does not mean they will always soak up every single thing.

Stool is not going to be absorbed, and if the bacteria inside it combine with urine, it can create ammonia. Ammonia is definitely going to be harsh on baby skin, and the presence of it against the skin will develop diaper rash. Always be sure to change your baby’s diapers once they have been soiled, but remember that your baby may still develop a rash even with fast changes because some babies have more sensitive skin than others.

Some diapers are made with specific fibers or come with different fragrances or chemicals in them in order to help mask icky odors or help in absorbing liquids. When your baby is having a fine time squirming or crawling around, a diaper can rub against his or her skin and cause unpleasant chafing, leading to diaper rash.

Other things such as what the diaper is made of or contains may simply rub the baby’s skin the wrong way, as in your baby’s skin is sensitive to them. If you find that the diapers you are using are not meshing well with your baby, simply change to a different diaper without fragrances or chemicals, or are made of softer or different materials.

Along those same lines, some products you may be using might not be agreeable to your baby’s skin. Some lotions or powders may have ingredients that react with your baby’s skin, causing the diaper rash. After use, they are trapped against the baby’s skin by the diaper, further exacerbating the problem. If this is the cause, simply switch products to something gentler on your baby’s skin.

You may not have even considered food as a possible reason for diaper rash. Either with you or your baby, a food may be the cause. This is because foods will change the stool composition of the baby, or might possibly increase the bowel movements your baby makes. You may have noticed an increase in diaper rash when your baby was introduced to solid foods.

Give it some time and be sure to change the diaper when needed. If you are breastfeeding still, then the baby may be dealing with a specific food you are eating. There is no need to avoid certain foods or change you or your baby’s diet. Simply allow your baby to adjust and give him or her care as necessary.

Keep your baby clean and change his or her diapers as frequently as needed. After wiping gently, always be sure to pat your baby’s skin dry, never rub it as that will only further irritate the skin. You can find good barrier ointments that will help protect baby skin from stool and urine and help prevent diaper rash.

You can let your baby play or sleep with no diaper, as the air exposure will help to keep skin dry and give it a faster healing time. You do not need to visit the doctor for diaper rash unless you notice the rash has open sores, blisters, or other infections. However, good care for your baby should keep such problems at bay and leave his or her skin healthy and clear.