Diaper Rash

Introduction

Diaper rash is type of dermatitis that occurs on your baby’s bottom and genitals. It is typically bright red and may include bumps such as blisters or pimples. Diaper rash may be irritating or mildly painful for your baby, but most cases respond well to over-the-counter ointments or creams and clear up within a few days. Diaper rash will not be a problem once your child is potty trained and no longer wears diapers or pull-ups.

Causes

Diaper rash is most common in babies between 4 and 15 months old. There are a number of causes of diaper rash:

• Wearing a wet or soiled diaper for too long
• Introduction of solid foods or new foods in the diet – as the content of stool changes, your baby is more prone to diaper rash
• More frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
• Diapers that are too tight
• Antibiotics taken by baby or mother while breastfeeding
• New products such as a different brand of disposable baby wipes or diapers, or certain chemicals in detergents, bleach or fabric softeners used to wash cloth diapers
• Bacterial, yeast or fungal infection (Candida)

Symptoms

• Bright red rash or scaly areas on the buttocks, scrotum and penis in boys, or labia and vagina in girls
• Bumps, pimples, blisters, ulcers, or pus-filled sores

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

 The best way to prevent diaper rash is to change diapers frequently to keep your baby’s diaper area as clean and dry as possible. Other tips include:

• Try to avoid scented wipes or those that contain alcohol, as they tend to dry out or irritate the skin. Using water and a soft cloth is ideal.
• Gently pat the diaper area dry before putting a new diaper on your baby.
• Do not use corn starch, as it can make a yeast diaper rash worse.
• Do not use talcum powder; it can be dangerous if your baby breathes it in.
• Let your baby “air dry” or spend some time without a diaper on, if possible.
• Make sure diapers are not too tight or too small.
• Use a diaper rash ointment or petroleum jelly at each diaper change, even when your baby doesn’t have a diaper rash. It will act as a barrier against your baby’s skin.

• Do not use plastic or rubber pants over the diaper. They do not allow enough air to pass through.
• When washing cloth diapers, be sure to rinse them thoroughly to ensure there is no soap residue left behind. Also, do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets, as they can irritate diaper rash.

Complications