My baby has a diaper rash, what can I do for it?
Almost every child will get diaper rash at least once before potty
training. Most diaper rashes are not serious and treatment is simple.
Contact with moisture, ammonia from urine, and bacteria from bowel
movements can cause the common diaper rash. Diarrheal illnesses
also lead to diaper rash. Occasionally, antibiotic therapy can lead
to diaper rash. Most diaper rashes respond to over-the-counter ointments,
but some (like yeast diaper rashes) need a special medication.
What diaper rash looks like:
- Common contact-type diaper rash is pink to red and covers the
convex areas of skin, it usually does not goes into the skin creases
- Yeast (monilial) diaper rash is usually red, irritated, and
has separate smaller areas of rash like pimples, it usually goes
into the skin creases
Home Treatment:
- Keep area clean and dry with frequent diaper changes
- Allow diaper area to remain open to air for a few minutes with
each diaper change
- Avoid use of diaper wipes to eliminate additional chemical irritation
- Rinse baby's bottom with warm water, use mild soap after a bowel
movement, but rinse well
- Apply a thick layer of zinc oxide creme (Desitin) with each
diaper change, taking care not to harshly rub skin to remove creme
from previous application - this is a barrier to protect the skin
from further irritation
- Do not use powder or cornstrach
- If you suspect a yeast diaper rash, a creme such as Lotriman
(over-the- counter) can be used twice a day before the zinc oxide
creme is applied
Call our office if:
- The rash has blisters, open sores, crusting, or looks infected
- The rash does not improve at all after 3 days of treatment at
home
- The rash spreads beyond the diaper area
- The rash is bright red and mainly around the anus
- The rash is accompanied with a fever
- You have other questions or concerns
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