Red baby bottom

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First of all, don't worry if your baby's bottom changes color. In the vast majority of cases, a red baby bump has nothing to do with an illness. It is just a sign of skin irritation. Some babies are more likely to get red buttocks, others less often. We do not know why this is so.

Why does a baby get a red bottom?

There are many causes of skin irritation. Usually the baby lies in his soaked diaper for too long. Urine and stool contain substances that irritate the skin.

Sometimes the baby does not tolerate certain foods well. This, too, can cause skin irritation, which is made worse by contact with urine.

Fungal skin (mostly yeast) can also lead to reddening of the baby's bottom, which is ideal in the warm, humid environment under a diaper. Skin fungi are a natural part of our skin flora and usually do not cause any problems. In such ideal growth conditions as in the diaper area, however, they multiply rapidly and torment the baby with burning and itching.

In rare cases, bacterial infections can lead to reddening of the skin, especially if skin germs lodge in small tears in the mucous membrane. But then the baby usually also has a fever.

What can you do about a red butt?

Usually a reddened bottom just needs a lot of air. Therefore, leave your child without a diaper a few times a day for about an hour, possibly under the heat lamp. A wet butt can also be carefully blow-dried on a cold setting.

In addition, you should change the diaper as often as possible - ideally always immediately after the child has wet.

Above all, your child's bottom should be cleaned thoroughly after each diaper change. Lukewarm water is usually enough to wash urine and stool off your buttocks. Avoid using soap if possible, as even the mildest product can irritate the skin. Then carefully dab your child's bottom or let it air dry.

To make the redness subside, apply a healing ointment (zinc paste, petroleum jelly or similar) covering as well as possible after cleaning and drying so that urine and stool cannot attack the skin. Avoid products with additives (fragrances and preservatives). Attention: Baby products sometimes also contain such additives! They can cause skin irritation. In pharmacies and health food stores there are ointments that do not contain any additives. Let us advise you.

When bathing your child, do not use bath additives or make the water too hot. That would irritate the sensitive baby skin.

If the redness doesn't go away or gets worse after a few days, see a pediatrician. If necessary, he or she may prescribe special skin care products for your baby, such as diaper dermatitis (caused by yeast).

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