Diaper Rash

Diaper Rash is very common and has several main causes. For each cause, the treatment is a little different. If your child is not responding to your treatment of the diaper rash, then you should call your child’s physician’s office.

This occurs simply because of the irritating effect of urine and bowel movement on the baby’s skin. The treatment for this type of rash is simply to leave your baby’s bottom open to air part of the day, change the diapers frequently, and use an ointment such as Vaseline, A & D, Desitin, etc., to coat the baby’s skin and protect the skin from urine and bowel movement.

This occurs when the baby’s skin is sensitive to the material in the diaper, either the paper or the elastic. The treatment for this type of rash is to use Hydrocortisone Cream, 1% four times a day on the red areas, consider trying cloth diapers or a different brand of paper diapers, and leaving the baby’s bottom open to air part of the day.

It is very common for babies to acquire a yeast infection (called candidal diaper rash). Yeast like to grow in moist, warm, dark areas, and the diaper are is a prime candidate for yeast infection. This type of diaper rash usually requires a prescription cream to resolve quickly. It is also important to change diapers frequently, and leave your child’s bottom open to air part of the day. Also, if you see white patches on the inside of your child’s cheeks, then your child may benefit from a prescription treatment for a yeast infection of the mouth called thrush.

Diaper rash commonly occurs when children have diarrhea from an intestinal virus. The main problem is irritation from the frequent liquid bowel movements. The diarrhea contains a significant amount of acid from the intestines, which makes the skin very red.

When your child has an intestinal virus, avoid giving your child formulas that contain lactose (such as Enfamil, Similac, Carnation Good Start). Instead, give a soy formula (Example - Prosobee, Isomil) or a lactose free formula (Example - Lactofree). Do not give your child with diarrhea fruit juice or cow’s milk, because these can make diarrhea much worse. See our information on vomiting and diarrhea for further information on what type of diet to give your child with diarrhea.

For the skin of the diaper area, it is often very helpful to apply a combination of Maalox (the liquid antacid) and corn starch, mixed to a thin paste consistency, with each diaper change. The antacid neutralizes the acids in the diarrhea, lessening the irritation of the skin.

Do not use baby wipes, as the chemicals in the wipes cause more irritation

Squirt your baby’s bottom off with a squirt bottle filled with water + 1 teaspoon baking soda, (which neutralizes the acid in the diarrhea), then pat dry with a very soft cloth diaper.

If the diaper rash is not improving, contact your child’s physician’s office

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