With the arrival of high temperatures, you may start to worry a little more about your baby's skin and wonder whether special care is necessary. Heat can sometimes encourage the appearance of different skin rashes. In this article with Pediatrician Anna Estapé , we would like to share some recommendations to help prevent diaper dermatitis this summer.

What is diaper dermatitis?

Diaper dermatitis is a very common condition in pediatrics. It consists of inflammation in the area covered by the diaper—that is, the groin, genital area, buttocks, and the lower part of the abdomen and back.

What are the signs of diaper dermatitis and its main factors?

Dermatitis usually appears as redness of the skin, sometimes accompanied by small red, pink, or white bumps, fissures, peeling, or even oozing or sores. These skin lesions can be very uncomfortable for babies.

The main factors that influence its appearance are friction from the diaper, occlusion, persistent moisture, and contact with urine and feces. Because the area stays covered by the diaper, it also becomes easier for germs, such as bacteria or fungi, to grow.

Additionally, with the arrival of summer, diaper dermatitis can become more common. On one hand, higher temperatures and humidity lead to more sweating in babies, especially in skin folds such as around the diaper area. At the same time, heat can also promote the proliferation of germs, such as fungi. On the other hand, diapers that get wet at the beach or pool can also contribute to diaper dermatitis, as the area remains exposed to more moisture, which irritates the skin.

How to prevent diaper rash in summer?

When it comes to diaper dermatitis, prevention is key. For this reason, together with pediatrician Anna Estapé, we want to share 4 practical tips to help prevent it, especially during the hot summer months:

1. Change the diaper frequently whenever it is wet to reduce contact between urine or feces and the delicate skin in that area. Choose diapers that are gentle on your baby's skin, such as those LILLYDOO hypoallergenic diapers , and make sure the size is correct, that you put it on properly, that it is not too tight, and that the side adhesive strips do not touch the skin directly.

2. If you go to the pool or the beach and want to use a diaper for your baby to swim, it is most recommended to always use specific swim diapers for this purpose . They do not swell when in contact with water and allow freedom of movement both in and out of the water. A fantastic option is the LILLYDOO Kids swim diaper . That said, when leaving the water, it is important to change into a dry diaper to avoid excess moisture, or leave your baby without a diaper for a little while—which, as you will see below, is also very beneficial.

3. Clean the diaper area with gentle soaps that do not contain detergents or perfumes. Ideally, clean with water and soap when you are at home. If you use cleaning wipes, it is recommended that they are water-based and free from alcohol and perfumes, such as the LILLYDOO wet wipes with 99% water . It is very important to keep the diaper area as dry as possible and to let it air out for a little while. . Therefore, during each diaper change, leave a few minutes without a diaper so the area can air out. You can use these minutes to interact with your baby, sing to them, talk to them, and enjoy this special moment of connection.

4. If you notice the skin becoming a little red, you can use a specific ointment for the diaper area to create a protective film on the skin and reduce contact with urine and feces. Your pediatrician can advise you on the option that best suits your baby. We recommend avoiding treatment creams containing corticosteroids, antibiotics, or antifungal creams without prior evaluation by a specialist.

What can you do to protect your baby's skin in summer?

In addition to these tips for the diaper area, we would also like to share a few extra recommendations to help care for your baby's skin this summer.

1. Protect your baby from the sun! Children's skin, especially babies' skin, is much more sensitive to the negative effects of sun exposure because it is thinner and has fewer melanocytes, which are the cells that give color to the skin and protect us from the sun's rays. That is why it is very important to protect it well from the sun by avoiding direct sun exposure for infants under 6 months and limiting it for children under 3 years old. Try not to go out during the peak hours of the day, and always seek shade.

2. Use physical measures for sun protection such as sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and clothing with sun protection. Sunscreen should have a FPS 50+ .

3. It is common for babies to sweat a lot when temperatures rise, and sometimes a skin rash called sudamina can appear, caused by obstruction of the sweat glands. You can recognize it because small red or sometimes whitish bumps appear, mainly on the forehead, neck, chest, and back. No specific treatment is necessary, but you can help prevent it by dressing your baby in lightweight, breathable fabrics and giving them a refreshing bath daily.

4. As we have mentioned, children's skin has special characteristics: it is more prone to dehydration and has poorer control of temperature and sweating. For this reason, it is very important to keep your little one well hydrated . Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, offer feeds on demand, and if they are older, offer water frequently.

Finally, we would like to remind you that heat and humidity can promote the appearance of diaper rash, so pay special attention to that area during the summer and follow these basic recommendations for prevention.

Now that you know how to prevent diaper rash and how to protect your baby's skin during the hottest months, all that's left is to enjoy the summer.

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