Can Blueberries Cause Diaper Rash? – Causes, Preventive Measures & Treatment

While my daughter’s diaper rashes have never gotten to the point of peeling skin, the skin becomes irritated enough that it hurts her to wipe. She gets diaper rash from time to time when she gets diarrhea, and this usually occurs when she is introduced to new solid foods in her diet. Quick action has always prevented her diaper rash from getting worse as they can go from mildly red to blistered and painful very quickly.

The skin irritation on the diaper area is called diaper rash, commonly seen in babies between 9 and 12 months, with nearly 25% of all infants and toddlers suffering from this infection. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital reports that berries should not be introduced into your little one’s diet until at least 9 months of age. Babies get rashes due to several factors, but it is hard to tell in the newborn period.

Diaper rash in babies is not rare, but unfortunately, it happens a lot more often than it should. Often, the cause is not down to one specific thing but a combination of things that act as catalysts to diaper rash development.

Can blueberries cause diaper rash?

Yes. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and other berries are acidic foods that can lead to a diaper rash. The acid present in these foods changes the composition of your little one’s stool so that when she eliminates the stool causes her bottom to break down in a rash.

Berries, especially blueberries, often cause a diaper rash when they are first introduced into your baby’s diet but can still cause a rash even after your baby has eaten them several times. Restricting her intake of berries may go a long way in nipping diaper rash breakout.

Other causes of diaper rash

Diaper rash is often related to wet or infrequently changed diapers or skin sensitivity but can be traced back to several other sources, including…

Irritation from a new product

Your baby’s skin may react to a new brand of fabric softener used to launder cloth diapers, bleach, or detergent, or a new brand of disposable diapers. Other substances that can escalate the problem include ingredients found in some baby powder and oils.

Bacterial or fungal infections 

The buttocks, thigh, and genitals are especially vulnerable because it’s the area covered by the diaper and is warm and moist, making it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.

These rashes can often be found in red dots scattered within the creases of your baby’s skin.

Irritation from stool and urine

Your baby’s sensitive skin can be irritated from prolonged exposure to stool or urine. If your baby is experiencing diarrhea or frequent bowel movements, they may be more prone to diaper rash because feces are more irritating than urine.

Use of antibiotics

Antibiotics kill all kinds of bacteria, both good and bad, and when your baby takes them, the bacteria that keep the yeast in check may be weakened, resulting in a diaper rash due to yeast infection.

Breastfed babies whose mamas take antibiotics are furthermore at an increased risk of diaper rash and diarrhea.

Introduction of new foods

The content of babies’ stool changes when they start eating solid foods, increasing the likelihood of a diaper rash and increasing the frequency of the baby’s stools. Breastfed babies may also develop diaper rash in response to what the mother has eaten.

Sensitive skin

Babies with skin conditions such as eczema may be more than likely to develop diaper rash, although eczema’s irritated skin mostly affects areas other than the diaper area.

Chafing and rubbing

Putting on tight-fitting diapers and clothing that rub against the skin of your baby will more than likely lead to a rash.

What’s the best way to prevent a diaper rash? 

What's the best way to prevent a diaper rash?

The most effective way to prevent a diaper rash is to keep the diaper area clean and dry. These simple strategies can help decrease the likelihood of a diaper rash developing on your baby’s skin.

  • Change diapers often. Change wet or dirty diapers promptly. Ask staff members to do the same if your child is in daycare.
  • Rinse your baby’s bottom with warm water. If you wish to use soap, select a mild, fragrance-free type. A sink, a bathtub, or a water bottle can aid in this purpose, while moist washcloths, cotton balls, and wet wipes can help clean the skin but be gentle and don’t use wipes with alcohol.
  • Let your baby’s skin air dry or pat with a clean towel. Do not scrub your baby’s bottom at any cost. Scrubbing her bottom will further break and irritate the skin.
  • Don’t over-tighten diapers. Apart from causing chafing at the waist or thighs, tight diapers prevent airflow into the diaper region, which sets up a moist environment favorable for diaper rashes.
  • More bottom time without diapers. Exposing skin to air is a natural and gentle way to let it dry, so whenever possible, let your baby go without a diaper. Lay your baby on a towel or soft mat to avoid messy accidents and engage her in some play.
  • Consider using ointment regularly. To prevent skin irritation if your child gets diaper rash often, apply a barrier ointment during each diaper change. Petroleum jelly and zinc oxide are the best time-proven ingredients in many diaper ointments.
  • Wash your hands well. Washing hands after changing diapers can prevent the spread of bacteria and yeast to other parts of your baby’s body, to yourself or other children.

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Prescription treatment for diaper rashes

If all the above home preventive measures don’t work as well, your baby’s doctor may prescribe targeted topical ointments after examining the infected area to determine if it is fungal or bacterial.

Examples of some good prescription that may help get rid of stubborn diaper rash include…

  • Antifungal treatments
  • Topical antibiotics
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Oral antibiotics

You should never apply over the counter medication to your baby’s diaper rash without a prescription or getting approval from your doctor before engaging in over the counter treatments.

You also want to avoid products that could have potentially harmful ingredients (listed below) to babies as they can cause more harm than good.

  • Benzocaine
  • Salicylate
  • Camphor

When to see the doctor

When to see the doctor for blueberries diaper rash

Generally, a diaper rash can successfully be treated at home. It might take a few weeks for the rash to go away completely, but it should start to improve after a few days following the above tips. If your child’s rash is severe and doesn’t improve accompanied by the following, then you should call your doctor immediately.

  • Bruises, bleeding, or open sores in the area.
  • Fever (over 100.4) with the rash.
  • A lot of pain and discomfort. This could be a sign of cellulitis.
  • If you see yellow fluid-filled bumps and honey-colored crusty sores. This could be a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics.
  • The rash is not going away or getting worse after 2-3 days of treatment.
  • If your child is losing weight or seems sick.
  • If the rash appears to be causing your tot pain with each urination or bowel movement.

Frequently Asked Questions( FAQs)

How do you soothe diaper rash fast?

A warm birth and a little baking soda will help soothe and lessen the redness associated with diaper rash. Two tablespoons of baking soda in a warm bath will help give your little person a break from the pain of diaper rubbing against the affected area.

Can diapers too big cause diaper rash?

Make sure your baby’s diaper fits well. Diapers that are too big often rub back and forth on your tots bottom, and if it is too small, it traps in moisture and brings the pee and poop too close to the skin surface.

What helps acid poop rash?

You can treat acidic poop rash with Triple Paste as you work towards removing the foods that are upsetting your baby’s tummy. Most parents love this medicated diaper rash cream for quickly relieving diaper rash symptoms.


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What oil is best for diaper rash?

The best natural treatment commonly used to treat skin infections and keep skin healthy is coconut oil. It may also help prevent and treat diaper rashes.

Using coconut oil may help soothe inflamed diaper rash and the accompanying redness, itching, or irritation.

Conclusion

As you begin to introduce new solid foods to your baby, some of the new foods, such as blueberries, may cause your baby to develop diaper rash. They can cause change In your baby’s stool, which can lead to a rash. Knowing the most common food causes will help you modify your baby’s diet

Diaper rash can worry parents and irritate babies, but it usually clears up with simple at-home remedies. They are a normal part of babyhood, but your baby doesn’t have to suffer. Share your thoughts and experience with us in the comments section below because, at 1happykiddo, we love hearing from you.

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Hello, I am Emelda from Nairobi, Kenya. They simply call me mama Lilly. A fun of long road trips and a very good cook, along with my mommy duties to a super active girl. She inspires and challenges me in equal measure, and that is how I get to share with you our journey of triumph as we grow and tag you along.

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