The skin of newborn babies is very delicate. She reacts sharply to any irritating environmental factors. A little friction and high humidity, contact with a dirty diaper, too dry air are enough - and diaper rash, dermatitis, cracks appear on the skin, and in especially severe cases - wounds. To protect sensitive children's integuments, pediatricians recommend Bepanten cream. Can it be used at such a tender age? How effective is it? How to use the cream? Are there cheaper analogues?
general information
Bepanten is available in the form of a cream or ointment. These are drugs for external use, which contain dexpanthenol (analogue B 5 ). Any dosage form contains the same concentration of the main active ingredient, namely 50 mg per 1 g of ointment or cream, that is, dexpanthenol - 5%.
Bepanten cream and ointment are available in tubes of 3.5, 30, 50 and 100 g. Also, a lotion is on sale - 2.5%. It is sold in 200 ml bottles.
As a cream for a diaper, “Bepanten” is used everywhere. It is actively recommended for use by pediatricians and dermatologists. The drug is dispensed without a prescription. It must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C.
Therapeutic action
The therapeutic effect of the drug is based on the regenerative effect of dexpanthenol, which forms vitamin B 5 upon contact with the skin. Since pantothenic acid (B 5 ) is one of the main participants in the acceleration of cellular metabolism, in its presence the skin is restored faster and the strength of collagen fibers increases.
When to use?
The main effect of the drug is regenerative. Also, ointment and cream have a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effect.
In pediatric practice, “Bepanten” is a cream for diapers for newborns, which is used to treat and prevent diaper rash, to accelerate the healing of any superficial wounds on the skin (cracks, sores, scratches, abrasions, burns, etc.), as well as for protection baby from negative weather phenomena (wind and frost).
Nappy Cream
Often young mothers refuse to use any means under the diaper, arguing that ointments, creams and powders contain a lot of harmful substances. Such an opinion has a right to exist, and if parents see that the baby’s skin remains clean and healthy without additional protection, then this is their choice.
However, the percentage of children who do not need cosmetic products to protect against diaper rash is very small. Most young mothers will see damage on the baby's integument before discharge from the hospital. Women who expect second and subsequent births almost always take Bepanten with them.
Diaper cream with dexpanthenol can be used from the first days of a baby’s life. It will protect the delicate and sensitive skin of the newborn from the appearance of diaper rash. Bepanten can be used both as a prophylactic and directly for the treatment of damaged areas.
For moms
"Bepanten" for the skin of mothers will be just as useful as for the sensitive integument of the baby. When breastfeeding, young mothers often face such a problem as cracks in the nipples. This greatly complicates the feeding process, makes it painful and unpleasant. Sometimes injuries are so big that mom has to give up breastfeeding and switch to food from a bottle.
In order to cope with this problem, you should use Bepanten cream or ointment. The tool must be applied directly to the wounds after each feeding, and also used as a preventative until cracks appear. Bepanten does not need to be washed off before the next feeding, as it is well absorbed into the skin. However, if the ointment or cream was applied in excess and did not have time to absorb, then the remains must be removed with a napkin or washed off.
The difference between ointments and cream
What to use under a diaper - ointment or cream? "Bepanten" in pediatrics is used both in the form of a cream and as an ointment. The content of dexpanthenol in them is the same - 5%. Therefore, they have identical properties. All differences are in consistency and additional components.
The ointment contains wax, vegetable oils and medical petroleum jelly, which makes the texture more dense, while the cream is made on a water basis. Bepanten ointment rests on a damaged area in a dense layer, is slowly absorbed, and it is difficult to use for the face and scalp. Bepanten cream, due to its water base and alcohols, has a light, well-absorbing texture, it penetrates the skin almost instantly and has good moisturizing properties.
Therefore, you can use the tool in any form. Under the diaper, Bepanten cream is still better - it is lighter and spreads well on the skin. A tiny drop is enough to handle all the weak spots.
According to pediatricians and dermatologists, the cream and ointment differ in purpose: the creamy form is ideal for the prevention of diaper rash and the fight against wind and cold, while in case of serious skin damage it is better to use the ointment.
Contraindications
The main active ingredient is dexpanthenol. This compound is related to the human body, which is extremely rare to cause a rejection reaction. Therefore, there are practically no contraindications for the use of Bepanten. The only thing specified in the instructions is the individual intolerance of the individual components of the composition.
It is extremely rare that allergic dermatitis occurs - a rash, itching, or skin irritation. The drug can be used from the first day of a child's life.
How to apply?
How to apply "Bepanten" (diaper cream)? The instruction is as follows:
- The product should be applied to clean and dry skin in the morning and evening - a thin layer directly on the damaged areas.
- To protect against wind and frost, the cream should be applied to the baby's face before each exit to the street. Apply a thin layer on the cheeks and nose (the forehead is most often covered with a cap).
- With diaper rash, you always need to first wash the baby, wipe it dry. Only then should you use the cream.
- Cream under the Bepanten diaper can be applied with every change of diaper - it is safe and does not harm the baby.
- All folds with diaper rash must be processed. They will not necessarily only be under the diaper. Diaper rash often occurs under the knees, on the elbow bends, in the neck, behind the ears and even on the head. All of them can and should be treated with cream.
Bepanten can be used without the permission of a doctor. Pediatricians favor this drug and often prescribe it to children for the treatment and prevention of diaper rash and dermatitis. But the drug should be used only externally. A doctor should be consulted in cases when:
- the wound is deep or large;
- the wound is dirty or festering;
- the condition does not improve after a week of using the drug;
- fever or other signs of a baby’s dysfunctional condition are noted - weight loss, poor sleep, lethargy, etc.
Doctors reviews
The diaper cream “Bepanten”, according to doctors, in pediatric practice is a very good prophylactic and therapeutic agent for combating diaper rash, diaper dermatitis, urticaria, abrasions, burns and other superficial wounds. It has practically no contraindications, except for individual intolerance, which makes it safe to use from the very first days of a baby's life.
And if you look at the list of recommended things that you need to take with you to the hospital, then, in addition to diapers and vests, “Bepanten” will definitely appear there.
But there are inexpensive analogues of it - creams and ointments with dexpanthenol: "Drapolen", "D-Panthenol", "Dexpanthenol", "Pantoderm" and methyluracil ointment.
Patient opinion
All mothers who treated diaper rash in a baby with Bepanten cream and ointment noted the high effectiveness of this drug. After application, a noticeable result is visible after 12 hours, that is, if the baby is smeared with the damaged area and left overnight, then in the morning there will already be an improvement.
As a prophylactic, the drug also received parental approval. If you treat the skin with a cream under a diaper, then the likelihood of diaper rash is minimal. Bepanten also helps with dry skin. The drug moisturizes over-dried areas, helps maintain a normal water balance, but does not make them too greasy, as it is quickly absorbed.
Bepanten cream or ointment is a universal healing agent. It can help not only babies and their mothers, but also any people with superficial skin injuries, for example, burns, inflammation after tattooing, diaper rash due to hot weather, abrasions, scratches, etc.
The only serious drawback that buyers noted is the price. In cream and ointment, the cost varies slightly - usually the ointment is a little more expensive, but not always. And the average price for a tube weighing 100 g is 750-800 rubles.
Compensates the high price of the drug for low consumption. To treat problem areas, you need to take creams or ointments literally at the tip of your finger. And, as a rule, one large Bepanten tube is enough for the entire diaper period. In especially difficult cases, it will take 1.5-2 tubes for the first year of a baby's life. Also, to save money, many mothers breed Bepanten in a 1: 1 ratio with baby cream. Such a mixture is not suitable for treating diaper rash, but it can be used as a prophylactic.