As a parent, there’s nothing worse than seeing your little one in pain. Diaper rash is a major offender when it comes to irritation and discomfort in infants and toddlers. It’s a common problem, though, and there’s a wealth of information out there from parents and experts on how to cure it.

What are some of the causes of diaper rash? This painful skin condition is usually related to one or more of the following:

Some of these diaper rash causes are preventable, such as incorporating more frequent diaper changes into your routine. Others, like skin sensitivity and chafing, can be more difficult to treat, especially if they progress into worse irritation or infection.

Diaper rash may be challenging to conquer, but there are ways to deal with it. Listed below are some of the top tips from parents and experts on diaper rash treatment.

If your baby is currently suffering from diaper rash, give them a bath in a child-safe tub every day until the rash clears.

The best way to help eliminate the diaper rash and prevent it from occurring again is to change your baby’s diaper as soon as it’s wet or soiled, 24 hours a day.

After cleaning your baby, keep their diaper area dry and apply a cream, ointment, or paste. Certain products like petroleum jelly work as occlusives to protect the skin’s barrier while also guarding against moisture. If it’s still intact, you can leave this protective layer in place at the next diaper change.

If you’d prefer to remove the protective layer and reapply at every change, make sure you don’t scrub the product off. Scrubbing can worsen your baby’s rash and irritate them more. To remove products like petroleum jelly, try using some baby oil on a cotton ball.

Products containing zinc oxide are also useful while healing your baby’s diaper rash. You typically don’t need to use much—a thin covering should work fine.

If you have any questions about diaper rash ointments and products, call your child’s doctor for a recommendation.

Increase airflow to your child’s diaper area by avoiding tight diapers and pants. In fact, you can try using diapers a size or two larger than what your baby usually wears to give them some room until the rash goes away.

You can also let your baby’s skin air out for short periods of time by letting them go without a diaper or ointment. Try this two or three times a day for around 10 minutes at a time. If you’re worried about accidents, put them down on a comfy, water-resistant changing pad.

One of the best forms of diaper rash treatment is to visit your pediatrician. This way, they can monitor the rash and make sure your baby does not have an infection.

Your baby’s doctor can also point you in the right direction when it comes to steroid creams, antifungal creams, and other healing ointments.

Be wary of some ingredients that can be toxic for babies. These include products like:

These ingredients are present in some creams and ointments made for adults, which is why you should choose products that are specifically made for babies.

Your child’s doctor can either recommend a prescription treatment or offer a good over-the-counter treatment you can pick up from your local pharmacy.

To prepare for your visit to the pediatrician, monitor your baby’s symptoms, keeping track of how long they’ve had the symptoms and whether they have improved or worsened.

Next, make a list of information about your baby’s food intake and any medical conditions. For example, have they had a cold recently, and were they given any medications? Have you added anything new to their diet?

List all products that you use on your baby, or anything that comes into contact with their skin. Examples include soap, laundry detergent, lotions, powders, and fabrics.

Make sure to ask questions about how to help prevent your baby’s diaper rash from recurring.

It’s common to feel guilty anytime something is wrong with your baby, but remember, you’re doing the best you can. Take it a day at a time.

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