Is Airing Out Rashie Tushie Hygienic?

Updated on December 22, 2009
R.R. asks from Fairfield, CT
34 answers

my 11 month baby girl has been having a stubborn rash, and I've recently found that airing her out really helps.
However, she doesn't have a full-size playpen where I could keep her without a diaper - she plays in a fenced off area of our carpeted living room, and my mom is concerned that if I let her crawl on the carpeting without a diaper she may get infected from whatever particles may be lurking in our carpet.
Any thoughts?

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your advice! my baby's tushie is doing much better!

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A.B.

answers from New York on

The first thought that came to mind was just put a pair of underwear on her, that way her bottom is protected but can also get air on her tushie because underwear are breathable.. i have let my kids run around naked too but we have hard wood floors...no carpets.. hope this helps :0)

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L.W.

answers from New York on

You can use a blanket spread on the carpet. I also used those pee pads for my daughter (disposable ones that are plastic on the bottom) to protect her and my carpet from accidents!

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J.O.

answers from New York on

Airing out the tushie does do wonders. I have 4 children, and when any of them had diaper rashes I put a water proof mat under them when they were napping and aired them out while they were asleep. Good luck!

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T.P.

answers from New York on

Hi R.. Why does she have a rash-is it due to taking antibiotics? Also, try to find a diaper rash oitment that is mostly zinc oxide and not petroleum based-that should clear the rash up in an hour. Lastly, if she is on antibiotic, she needs to take a probiotic to correct her gut flora. Jarrows makes an excellent probiotic for children and can be found at your local health food store.

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17146-Dallas-Womens-He...

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M.E.

answers from New York on

I also have a daughter with an extremely persistant rash, her Dr said it is just a baby thing and he actually suggested that I let her "air out" once in a while. He said if I don't mind having to possibly clean up a little pee pee then there is nothing wrong and nothing unhygenic about it. I am sure your carpet is more then clean enough for her little tushie. Not to worry besides she is probably like my daughter and loves nakie time.

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D.B.

answers from New York on

Hi R.,
I think you've got more than enough responses about this and are probably airing her out right now.
I just thought I'd give you a tip, since it's wintertime and I know that Mom in Law's next concern will be that "it's too cold to let her run around half naked".
Baby legwarmers are a perfect solution to air out the tush and keep her little legs warm. 'Baby Legs' is one brand. There are probably others. They are obviously great for use outside in bad weather, too!

Take care!!

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J.M.

answers from New York on

I would not worry to much about whats lurking in your carpet. Try putting a blanket down for her to play on. I have also found that cornstarch drys out a rash fabulously. my daughter had one several years ago, and a neighbor suggested using it. It worked wonders. In a matter of a day, I saw a huge difference. I used the J&J brand cornstarch-blue writing on the container.
good luck!

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R.Q.

answers from New York on

Airing it out is the best thing you can do. If you are really concerned about particles from the carpet, put a pair of loose fitting cotton underwear or lightweight cotton shorts/pants on her to keep out any bits of dust or hair. She probably wouldn't get an infection from the dust, but it does make cleaning little girls' genital area more difficult.

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J.A.

answers from New York on

I usually cover the floor with heavy, thick (clean) towels and let the kids play around on that. It's got to feel good to not have a diaper on for a bit!

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R.E.

answers from New York on

she may be teething, she may also have a yeast infection on her bottom. airing out is fine, healthy and there are things lurking everywhere all the time.
put a sheet down on top of the carpet if it concerns you and also, have a not shoe in the house rule.

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L.J.

answers from New York on

just wondering if you've tried triple paste? good luck also baby legs are awesome !

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L.H.

answers from New York on

Invest in a king sized comforter/quilt. Be sure to supervise her durring nakie time. Laying a comforter/quilt on the floor is like going on a picinic. If the comforter/quilt is too thick, then use a sheet.

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L.S.

answers from Grand Forks on

A diaper on an already rashy bottom is worse than carpet i think. Just vacuum often, like when she naps, and let the rash clear up. There are some good creams out there too, I prefer A&D. Works great!

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D.

answers from New York on

Nope, airing out the tushie is the best thing to help get rid of a rash. Also, try triple paste. It works wonders. And give baths with baking soda in it. You can also add some Aveeno baby wash. The one with the pink top is the one we use. The reason airing out the tush works is because there is not moisture against the skin.

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M.P.

answers from New York on

Air is great for her she'll be fine and happier if her peach doesnt hurt. My daughter often had terrible red butt. She is 6 and still gets it once in a while. This is what worked great for her. A nice daily bath with baking soda in the water, this is great for winter skin too. Then a blowdryer on warm setting not hot (held at a good distance, test with your hand for good temperature) until skin is completely dry. Then a nice slather of Balmex all over the red area and change her anytime she is wet. Also, I could only use pampers anytime I tried something else she would flare up.
When it was really bad I would use a tiny bit of Lotrimin AF (in the foot fungus aisle at the store) once a day. Good Luck!! Hope this helps!!

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A.D.

answers from New York on

Definitely air her bottom!!! As others have said, you could put a quilt or blanket down (which will protect the carpet from her more than her from the carpet). Also, if she has super-sensitive skin, don't bathe her too much in the winter and try a humidifier in her room. My daughter had very sensitive skin, which made her more prone to diaper rash and skin rashes in general, and this helps immensely. If you feel it is too cool to be bottomless, I would go with the cotton training pants while she is home.

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K.D.

answers from New York on

Can you put a clean blanket down for her to crawl around on?

I.M.

answers from New York on

R.,
I would do a couple of things, one get a plastic cover and on top of it lay a clean blanket or a bed sheet so she won't be exposed to the carpet.
If people take their shoes off and don't walk on the carpet with their shoes on, then you can just leave her on the carpet (I still wouldn't do that, but it's your choice) and it depends if you care for the carpet or not, if you don't care for it, then just do as you think is best.
Remember if people are walking on the carpet they are also bringing in stuff from outside, from everywhere they walk through.
Overall, my advise would be to cover the carpet with plastic and with a blanket or bed sheet.

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J.S.

answers from New York on

Hi R.,

As long as you don't keep your house like a pig pen ; ), then keep that little tushie out as long as you both please. The open air does wonders for us in so many ways, and unless this rash is producing open wounds, she'll only benefit.

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

I wouldn't worry about it!

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A.R.

answers from New York on

I agree with everyone that airing out is the best thing. We let my son air out as much as possible when he gets a diaper rash. My biggest concern with the carpet is the hassle for YOU when she pees on the carpet. It's so much harder to clean pee from a carpet. A large quilt you can put in the wash will make it easier. But if you could supervise some play during "air out" time in the kitchen or bathroom,
with a more washable floor, it'll make cleanup easier.

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L.B.

answers from New York on

Well would you sit your naked behind down on your rugs? Air her out in her crib.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

Hi R.,

I have read that having carpets steam cleaned is the worse thing you could do for your child. It brings out all of the bacteria that are lurking in the lower layers of your carpet. If you have had that carpet steam cleaned, I would definitley NOT allow her to crawl around on it, diaper or not.

Baby powder with cornstarch works wonders. And SKIP the baby wipes - they are terrible for a tender tushie. Use a baby washcloth moistened with warm water instead.

Good luck,
L.

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R.O.

answers from New York on

For the rash, try what my wife & I used on our 2 girls, now 4 & 7. Put some flour into a small pot & cook over low heat until it turns a light brown. Let it cool, & store it in a covered container. To apply, wipe with sensitive wipes, let air dry for a minute, then sprinkle the flour on baby's bottom like regular baby powder

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N.J.

answers from New York on

Absolutely, wash the tush off with soap and water, dab dry and let is "se the light", best way. Then when putting a daiper back on, dab on desitin... Remind mom, there are bacteria and germs in feces and she will get no greater exposure to a germ, then the poop in her diaper by being diaperless.

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W.H.

answers from Elmira on

I personally wouldnt worry about the carpet. Not to put anyone down, but I found that with moms and the mother in laws is they still go by the "OLD RULES". Its what they did when their kids were bahies from what their mothers or doctors told them. Those "rules" dont usually apply to modern thinking. I know she means well but I know with me, my mother in law always made me second guess myself with my oldest because I didnt have any experience with kids other then babysitting and she had grown kids. I dont know how many time I heard, well we always did it this way... or we never did that... or you really shouldnt do that because... LOL.. Loved her to death but Again she meant well.

As for airing out.. I always did that with my kids. My son and my youngest daughter had really sensitive skin and would end up with a rash over night. So after their morning, bowel movement, I would clean him up and take the diaper off.
I mixed A&D ointment and the Zink Oxide ointments together in a sealable bowl. I would smear a bit on him and put on some "Big Boy(girl) Pants" We got the thicker cotton undies from the baby section. It helped contain the accidents better. Then let them run around.

We had carpet and linoleum. I never had a problem with additional rashes or infections.

I believe that if we "sanitize" our surroundings that our kids will have problems when their out in a "non sanitized" invironment. Let her be a baby.. let her crawl around and explore and learn.

I have 3 great kids.. Korey-Mikel 17, Whitney 14 & Andrea 7
They all are healthy and happy kids.

Have a great day!
W. From Watkins Glen.

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D.D.

answers from New York on

i live by lots of petroleum jelly. and if u wanted to let her air out.. buy a shower curtain or something like that to put her on

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K.P.

answers from New York on

I would guess that it is no more "unhygenic" than playing in a wet diapie!

Can you put down a large quilt or old comforter? We did this with my son. That way I could throw it in the washer at the end of the day (or if he had an accident) and it kept his play space clean.

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L.L.

answers from Buffalo on

My now 2 1/2 year old had constant diaper rash!! I think she's ok to air out for a while! You can always clean her bottom before you put her diaper back on...also, if you find that the rash will not go away and it seems almost like raised red bumps, it could be a bacterial infection for which they need a prescription cream. My poor daughter had a rash for WEEKS at that age...we finally got the cream from the doctor an it cleared up in days...just a thought.

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T.F.

answers from New York on

my son used to get a bad rash too I used to air him out as well I put a big sheet on the carpet so I knew it was kind of a barrier between him and the floor. I also used to use this powder in a blue container oh boy I can't remember the neme now I know it has zinc in it and helps alot If I remember the name I'll let you know good luck

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A.H.

answers from New York on

I would agree that a carpet is not the most sanitary place to play without a diaper - even totally clean (which carpets never are), there are still fibers. I would put something over the carpet. A clean bedsheet would do the trick.

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A.H.

answers from New York on

you could put on a onesie... it's soft... and it will keep her tushie somewhat covered..... when you put a diaper on..use a lot of diaper rash cream.. and change her alot.. is she eating or drinking stuff with high acid? try bananas and rice... this may help soothe her bottom.. good luck.. also a lot of water..

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A.L.

answers from Rochester on

Tell your Mom to relax.. healing the rash is the primary concern. Babies need to be exposed to some germ particles to build their immune system. I am sure you are bathing her regularly so that should take of the "germs".

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D.B.

answers from New York on

There is an incredible product called Argyrex you can buy on line that works amazing. it is a colloidal silver in a clay that was developed for healing open sores like Herpes. chicken pox, SHINGLES... and other skin lesions. It stops itching and burning ON CONTACT and speeds the healing time. I got shingles on Friday and went to the hospital where they gave me all the steroids and pain meds, a friend gave me Argyrex and the itching was gone right away later i lanced the bumps and applied more by monday it was over.
The clay needs moisture to stay alive so it acts like a microbe vaccume the silver (MSP) kills over 650 bacteria and viruses. Google Argyrol, for ear, eye, nose and throat it is natures antibiotic and in commerce for over 100 yrs until the discovery of antibiotics. Argyrol was used in WWII by the military to prevent STD's and in 1918 against the spanish flu to evacuate also.
Good Luck!

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