Teething and Diaper Rash? Are they related to each other? [Learn the facts]

Teething begins to occur around the age of 6 months. Coincidentally, the chances of developing diaper rash also increase during the age of 9 to 12 months. This overlap can lead to many false conclusions in the parent community.

Understanding the relationship between teething and diaper rash is essential. In this article, you’ll find out whether or not they are connected.

What does Teething Mean?

Teething refers to the development of teeth in babies. It starts around the age of 6 months and keeps going on till 30 months. It is a long period of time.

So, the different problems occurring during this period are usually associated with teething.

However, not all of them are related to teething. Most of the ailments that can develop in the baby are usually because of a weakened immune system or growth.

What are the Effects of Teething?

Many parents think teething leads to a number of side-effects. From diaper rash to difficulty sleeping, multiple ailments are believed to be the results of this development.

In reality, a study found the following effects of teething:

•    More time awake
•    Irritation
•    Facial Rash
•    Biting
•    Sucking
•    Less appetite for solid food

The study did not find any relationship between teething and diaper rash. This means, if you are blaming the tiny teeth of your toddler for the rashes, you are most likely mistaken.

What are the Causes of Diaper Rash?

Experts have done considerable research on diaper rash and its causes. The frequent causes of diaper rash are:

• antibiotic therapy, which alters the microflora within the gastrointestinal tract
• infections, which weaken the immune functions of the body
• contact and atopic dermatitis, as they weaken the protective layer of the skin, making it more susceptible to the activity of irritating substances
• diarrhea
• modifications in child’s diet, leading to changes in the content and type of bacterial microflora in the gastrointestinal tract
• improper hygiene of diaper area (using inappropriate caring products, inaccurate washing, rare diaper change)
• high temperatures, which contribute to inflammations and irritations

Unlike common perception, teething doesn’t have a direct relationship with your baby’s diaper rash. You can blame them for irritating your baby but not for the rashes.

What Does This Mean for You?

It means controlling your baby’s diaper rash isn’t out of your grasp. You can prevent (and treat) the diaper rash of your baby with proper precautions and measures.

By keeping the baby clean, changing the diaper often and avoiding rubbing your baby’s gentle skin, you can avoid the rashes.

Apart from that, teething might not be the cause of many other symptoms (such as diarrhea). It is important that you check these symptoms and if an issue arises, consult a doctor.

Conclusion

Teething is not the villain here. You can treat your baby’s rash and ensure it doesn’t return by simply following the precautions.

Do you have any thoughts on teething? Let us know by commenting below.