Treatment
The best treatment for a diaper rash is to keep the diaper area clean and dry. This will also help prevent new diaper rashes.
- Always wash your hands after changing a diaper
- Ask your doctor if a diaper rash cream would be helpful. Zinc oxide or petroleum jelly-based products help keep moisture away from baby’s skin when applied to completely clean, dry skin
- Avoid using wipes that have alcohol or perfume. They may dry out or irritate the skin more
- Do NOT use corn starch on your baby’s bottom. It can make a yeast diaper rash worse
- Do NOT use talc (talcum powder). It can get into your baby’s lungs
- Change your baby’s diaper often, and as soon as possible after the baby urinates or passes stool
- Lay your baby on a towel without a diaper on whenever possible. The more time the baby can be kept out of a diaper, the better
- Pat the area dry or allow to air-dry
- Put diapers on loosely. Diapers that are too tight don’t allow enough air and may rub and irritate the baby’s waist or thighs
- Use water and a soft cloth or cotton ball to gently clean the diaper area with every diaper change. Avoid rubbing or scrubbin the area. A squirt bottle of water may be used for sensitive areas
- Using highly absorbent diapers helps keep the skin dry and reduces the chance of getting an infection
If you use cloth diapers:
- Avoid plastic or rubber pants over the diaper. They do not allow enough air to pass through
- Do NOT use fabric softeners or dryer sheets. They may make the rash worse
- When washing cloth diapers, rinse 2 or 3 times to remove all soap if your child already has a rash or has had one before
MEDICATIONS:
Topical antifungal skin creams and ointments will clear up infections caused by yeast. Nystatin, miconazole, clotrimazole, and ketaconazole are common ones.
Sometimes a mild, topical corticosteroid cream may be used. Talk to your doctor before trying this on your baby.
Prognosis (Expectations)
The rash usually responds well to treatment.
Complications
Complications from Candida-associated diaper rash can include:
- Secondary infection
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if:
- The rash gets worse or does not go away in 2-3 days
- The rash spreads to the abdomen, back, arms, or face
- You notice pimples, blisters, ulcers, large bumps, or pus-filled sores
- Your baby also has a fever
- Your baby is taking an antibiotic and develops a bright red rash with spots at its edges. This might be a yeast infection
- Your baby develops a rash during the first 6 weeks of life
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Diaper rash : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Diaper rash : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Diaper rash : Treatment
Review Date : 8/2/2009
Reviewed By : Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
