Zinc oxide
Patient Counselling
Patient Education: Zinc Oxide <1-4>
Prevention
Treatment
References
1. Hagemeier, NE. Diaper Dermatitis and Prickly Heat. In: Berardi, RR, Ferreri, SP, Remington, TL, eds. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 16th ed. Washington, DC; 2009:675-682.
2. Sibbald, D. Diaper Dermatitis. In: McLeod PJ, Allen M, Conly J, eds. Patient Self-Care - Helping Your Patients Make Therapeutic Choices. 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 534-545.
3. Horii, KA, Prossick, TA. Overview of diaper dermatitis in infants and children. In: Corona, R (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2013.
4. Canadian Paediatric Society. Diaper Rash. Available at: http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca. Accessibility
verified February 20th, 2013.
Prevention
- Change your baby's diaper often, especially if he or she has diarrhea. You should check your baby's diaper every 2-3 hours and change it if it is wet.
- When you change your baby's diaper, wash his or her bottom with mild soap and warm water (or just water if there is no stool), rinse and pat dry.
- Apply a barrier cream containing 15-20% zinc oxide liberally every time that you change the baby's diaper.
- Clean the cream off with soap and water after each diaper change and reapply.
- Do not share creams with other children.
- Do not touch your baby's skin and put your fingers back into the jar. Use a different finger if you need more ointment.
- Avoid using products that contain fragrances or additives such as lanolin as they may irritate your baby's skin.
- Although zinc oxide creams are typically well-tolerated, discontinue the product if it irritates your baby's skin (i.e. redness, bumps, etc.)
- Discard products that are discolored or whose expiration date has passed.
Treatment
- Change your baby's diaper often, especially if he or she has diarrhea. You should check your baby's
- diaper every 2-3 hours and change it if it is wet.
- When you change your baby's diaper, wash his or her bottom with mild soap and warm water (or just water if there is no stool), rinse and pat dry. If the area is highly irritated, it may be less painful for the child to wipe down his or her bottom in a warm bath.
- Apply a thick layer of barrier paste containing 25-40% zinc oxide every time that you change the baby's diaper.
- Clean the paste off with soap and water or mineral oil after each diaper change and reapply.
- Do not share pastes with other children.
- Do not touch your baby's skin and put your fingers back into the jar. Use a different finger if you need more ointment.
- Avoid using products that contain fragrances or additives such as lanolin as they may irritate your baby's skin.
- Although zinc oxide ointments are typically well-tolerated, discontinue the product if it irritates your baby's skin (i.e redness, bumps, etc.).
- If the symptoms worsen, or if the rash does not resolve in 7 days, consult your family doctor.
- Discard products that are discolored or whose expiration date has passed.
References
1. Hagemeier, NE. Diaper Dermatitis and Prickly Heat. In: Berardi, RR, Ferreri, SP, Remington, TL, eds. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 16th ed. Washington, DC; 2009:675-682.
2. Sibbald, D. Diaper Dermatitis. In: McLeod PJ, Allen M, Conly J, eds. Patient Self-Care - Helping Your Patients Make Therapeutic Choices. 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 534-545.
3. Horii, KA, Prossick, TA. Overview of diaper dermatitis in infants and children. In: Corona, R (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2013.
4. Canadian Paediatric Society. Diaper Rash. Available at: http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca. Accessibility
verified February 20th, 2013.