Stool and urine left on skin causes a chemical irritation
Worse during bouts of diarrhea
Main Complication
Secondary infection by yeast or bacteria
When to Call Us for Diaper Rash
Call Us Now (night or day) If
Your child looks or acts very sick
Bright red skin that peels off in sheets
Fever and looks infected (spreading redness)
Age less than 1 month old with tiny water blisters or pimples in a group
Age less than 1 month old and looks infected (yellow scabs, spreading redness)
Age under 1 month old and looks or acts abnormal in any way
You think your child needs to be seen urgently
Call Us During Weekday Office Hours If
You have other questions or concerns
Rash is very raw or bleeds
Rash has spread outside the diaper area
Rash is not better after 3 days of using yeast cream
Parent Care at Home If
Mild diaper rash
CARE ADVICE FOR DIAPER RASH
What You Should Know:
Diaper rashes are very common in babies.
Often caused by not cleaning stool off the skin soon enough.
Here's some care advice that should help.
Change More Often:
Change diapers more often to prevent skin contact with stool.
You may want to get up once during the night to change the diaper.
Rinse with Warm Water:
Rinse the baby's skin with lots of warm water during each diaper change.
Wash with a mild soap (such as Dove) only after stools. Reason: Using soap often can interfere with healing.
Do not use diaper wipes. Reason: They leave a film of bacteria on the skin.
Leave Bottom Open to Air:
Expose the bottom to air as much as possible.
Attach the diaper loosely at the waist to help with air exposure.
When napping, take the diaper off and lay your child on a towel. Reason: Dryness reduces the risk of yeast infections.
Anti-Yeast Cream:
Most diaper rashes respond to 3 days of warm water cleansing and air exposure. If you've tried this or the rash is bright red, suspect a yeast infection.
Buy an anti-yeast cream such as Lotrimin. No prescription is needed.
Use Lotrimin cream 3 times per day.
Raw Skin:
If the bottom is very raw, soak in warm water for 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda to the tub of warm water.
Do this 3 times per day.
Then, put Lotrimin cream on the rash.
Sore or Scab on End of the Penis:
Use an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin. No prescription is needed.
Do this 3 times per day.
Reason: The sore is a bacterial infection that can cause painful urination.
Diarrhea Rash:
If your child has diarrhea and a rash around the anus, use a protective ointment. Examples are petroleum jelly, A&D or Desitin.
This forms a barrier between the skin and the stool.
Otherwise, these generally are not needed.
Caution: Wash off the skin before putting it on.
What to Expect:
With proper treatment, most diaper rashes are better in 3 days.
If the rash does not respond, a yeast infection has probably occurred.
Call Your Doctor If:
Rash isn't much better after 3 days of using yeast cream
Your child becomes worse
Diaper Rash
And remember, contact us if your child develops any of the "Call Us" symptoms.
Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.
