What Can I Do about Diaper Rash?

What is diaper rash?

Any rash on the skin area covered by a diaper.

What causes diaper rash?

Almost every child will get at least one diaper rash no matter what you do to prevent it. Most diaper rashes are due to prolonged contact with moisture, bacteria, and ammonia from urine. Bouts of diarrhea also will cause rashes in most children. Parents often feel guilty and frustrated when that first diaper rash appears, but they are difficult to avoid completely, especially with today's absorbent plastic diapers. With proper treatment, most rashes get better within three days.

What can you do?

• Change diapers frequently.
• Use plain soap and water, not diaper wipes (which can sometimes be irritating) when cleaning the diaper area.
• Leave the diaper off as much as possible (for example, during nap time).
• Use a barrier ointment such as Desitin, A&D Ointment, zinc oxide, or Vaseline to keep moisture from reaching the skin.

Things to avoid:

• Do not use talcum powder-it does not provide a barrier between moisture and your baby's rash. Using talcum powder also creates a higher risk of pneumonia if the baby inhales it.
• Do not use cornstarch until the rash is gone.

Yeast rashes or candidal rash:

Candida is a fungus that likes warm, dark, moist places. For example, athlete's foot, jock itch, and thrush are all caused by candida. Candida can also show up in the diaper area. Any diaper rash that becomes bright red and raw and is surrounded by dots or has tiny bumps probably is a yeast rash. Call your baby's pediatrician or nurse practitioner if you think your baby might have a yeast diaper rash. He or she may be able to recommend an over-the-counter medication or may want to check for other signs of yeast (such as thrush).

Call the doctor or nurse practitioner if:

• The rash is getting worse despite treatment
• Any pimples or pustules appear
• Your child is running a fever

Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011