What Would Cause a Child to Have an Itchy Bottom?
When your child doesn't sleep well, neither do you. An itchy bottom can interrupt everyone's rest, especially if it gets worse at night or when your child is trying to rest.
When your child doesn't sleep well, neither do you. An itchy bottom can interrupt everyone's rest, especially if it gets worse at night or when your child is trying to rest. If your child complains of an itchy bottom, is constantly itching his bottom or you notice a rash or irritation across the bottom, it's the work of any number of issues that affect the skin, the digestive system and even the reproductive system in your child. Identifying the cause of your child's itching can lead you to quick treatment and relief from the itchy sensation.
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is a common skin condition in babies. It's the result of prolonged contact to moisture in the diaper and sometimes, the diaper itself. While proper diapering practices, such as changing your baby frequently, helps to prevent rash, if your baby has sensitive skin, he's more prone to a red, blistered and itchy rash. Luckily, it's easy to treat diaper rash by allowing your baby to go diaperless whenever possible, changing frequently and using a zinc oxide cream to create a barrier between your baby's skin and the diaper.
Yeast Infection
All humans have a safe amount of yeast in the body. When warm, moist areas are created on the body, that yeast multiples, creating an itchy and difficult rash. While yeast infections are more commonly associated with the female reproductive system, boys can also suffer from a yeast infection across the bottom. If your child seems to have a diaper rash that doesn't go away with proper diapering and care, a topical antifungal is used to clear up the itchy rash. If over-the-counter creams don't work, see your pediatrician for more aggressive treatment.
Contact Dermatitis
The medical term contact dermatitis is used to explain any type of rash that occurs as the result of contact with an irritating substance. The result is an itchy, red area which disrupts your child's regular routine. Babies with sensitive skin are more prone to contact dermatitis from diapers and wipes, but older children could suffer with the condition after coming in contact with soaps and other products that irritate the skin. Exploration as to what causes the itchy rash and a cessation of using the product or fabric helps to stop the itch.
Pinworms
If your child complains of an itchy bottom, especially around the rectum, yet you see no visible rash, the problem could be pinworms. Sometimes called threadworms, pinworms are parasites that live in the intestinal walls of the body. At night, the adult female pinworms travel to the rectum to lay eggs, resulting in an intense itching sensation. The sensation is much worse at night. While pinworms are harmless, they affect your child's quality of sleep. See your pediatrician for medication to paralyze the pinworms until they're expelled through your child's feces.