Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom.
Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers. Diaper rash also may develop after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics.
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies, but most diaper rash cases can be resolved with simple at-home treatments.
SYMPTOMS
Diaper rash is characterized by the following:
Skin signs. Diaper rash is marked by red, puffy and tender-looking skin in the diaper region — buttocks, thighs and genitals.Changes in your baby's disposition. You may notice your baby seems more uncomfortable than usual, especially during diaper changes. A baby with a diaper rash often fusses or cries when the diaper area is washed or touched.
Diaper rashes can occur intermittently, anytime your child wears diapers, but they're more common in babies during their first 15 months, especially between 9 and 12 months of age.
CAUSES
Causes of diaper rash can be traced to a number of sources, including:
Irritation from stool and urine. Prolonged exposure to urine or feces can irritate a baby's sensitive skin. Your baby may be more prone to diaper rash if he or she is experiencing frequent bowel movements because feces are more irritating than urine.Introduction of new foods. As babies start to eat solid foods, the content of their stool changes, increasing the likelihood of diaper rash. Changes in your baby's diet can also increase the frequency of stools, which can lead to diaper rash. If your baby is breast-feeding, your baby may develop diaper rash in response to something the mother has eaten. Irritation from a new product. Disposable wipes, a new brand of disposable diapers, or a detergent, bleach or fabric softener used to launder cloth diapers can all irritate your baby's delicate bottom. Other substances that can add to the problem include ingredients found in some baby lotions, powders and oils.Bacterial or yeast (fungal) infection. What begins as a simple skin infection may spread to the surrounding region. The area covered by a diaper — buttocks, thighs and genitals — is especially vulnerable because it's warm and moist, making a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. These rashes can be found within the creases of the skin, and there may be red dots scattered around the creases.Sensitive skin. Babies with skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or eczema, may be more likely to develop diaper rashes. However, the irritated skin of atopic dermatitis and eczema primarily affects areas other than the diaper area.Chafing or rubbing. Tightfitting diapers or clothing that rubs against the skin can lead to a rash.Use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria — the good kinds as well as the bad. When a baby takes antibiotics, bacteria that keep yeast growth in check may be depleted, resulting in diaper rash due to yeast infection. Babies whose breast-feeding mothers are on antibiotics are also vulnerable.
COMPLICATIONS
Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom.
Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers. Diaper rash also may develop after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics.
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies, but most diaper rash cases can be resolved with simple at-home treatments.
DIAGNOSIS
Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom.
Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers. Diaper rash also may develop after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics.
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies, but most diaper rash cases can be resolved with simple at-home treatments.
TREATMENT
The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep your baby's skin as clean and dry as possible. If your baby's diaper rash persists during home treatment, your doctor may prescribe:
A mild hydrocortisone creamAn antifungal cream, if your baby has a fungal infectionTopical or oral antibiotics, if your baby has a bacterial infection
Use creams or ointments with steroids only if your baby's pediatrician or dermatologist recommends them — strong steroids or frequent use can lead to additional problems.
Diaper rashes usually require several days to improve and the rash may come back repeatedly. If the rash persists despite prescription treatment, your doctor may recommend that your baby see a dermatologist.
Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers. Diaper rash also may develop after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics.
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies, but most diaper rash cases can be resolved with simple at-home treatments.
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| Diaper rash |
Diaper rash is characterized by the following:
Skin signs. Diaper rash is marked by red, puffy and tender-looking skin in the diaper region — buttocks, thighs and genitals.Changes in your baby's disposition. You may notice your baby seems more uncomfortable than usual, especially during diaper changes. A baby with a diaper rash often fusses or cries when the diaper area is washed or touched.
Diaper rashes can occur intermittently, anytime your child wears diapers, but they're more common in babies during their first 15 months, especially between 9 and 12 months of age.
CAUSES
Causes of diaper rash can be traced to a number of sources, including:
Irritation from stool and urine. Prolonged exposure to urine or feces can irritate a baby's sensitive skin. Your baby may be more prone to diaper rash if he or she is experiencing frequent bowel movements because feces are more irritating than urine.Introduction of new foods. As babies start to eat solid foods, the content of their stool changes, increasing the likelihood of diaper rash. Changes in your baby's diet can also increase the frequency of stools, which can lead to diaper rash. If your baby is breast-feeding, your baby may develop diaper rash in response to something the mother has eaten. Irritation from a new product. Disposable wipes, a new brand of disposable diapers, or a detergent, bleach or fabric softener used to launder cloth diapers can all irritate your baby's delicate bottom. Other substances that can add to the problem include ingredients found in some baby lotions, powders and oils.Bacterial or yeast (fungal) infection. What begins as a simple skin infection may spread to the surrounding region. The area covered by a diaper — buttocks, thighs and genitals — is especially vulnerable because it's warm and moist, making a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. These rashes can be found within the creases of the skin, and there may be red dots scattered around the creases.Sensitive skin. Babies with skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or eczema, may be more likely to develop diaper rashes. However, the irritated skin of atopic dermatitis and eczema primarily affects areas other than the diaper area.Chafing or rubbing. Tightfitting diapers or clothing that rubs against the skin can lead to a rash.Use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria — the good kinds as well as the bad. When a baby takes antibiotics, bacteria that keep yeast growth in check may be depleted, resulting in diaper rash due to yeast infection. Babies whose breast-feeding mothers are on antibiotics are also vulnerable.
COMPLICATIONS
Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom.
Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers. Diaper rash also may develop after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics.
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies, but most diaper rash cases can be resolved with simple at-home treatments.
DIAGNOSIS
Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin (dermatitis) that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom.
Diaper rash is commonly linked to continuously wet or infrequently changed diapers, diarrhea, and using plastic pants to cover diapers. Diaper rash also may develop after solid foods are added to your baby's diet, when breast-feeding mothers eat certain foods or when your baby is taking antibiotics.
Diaper rash can alarm parents and annoy babies, but most diaper rash cases can be resolved with simple at-home treatments.
TREATMENT
The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep your baby's skin as clean and dry as possible. If your baby's diaper rash persists during home treatment, your doctor may prescribe:
A mild hydrocortisone creamAn antifungal cream, if your baby has a fungal infectionTopical or oral antibiotics, if your baby has a bacterial infection
Use creams or ointments with steroids only if your baby's pediatrician or dermatologist recommends them — strong steroids or frequent use can lead to additional problems.
Diaper rashes usually require several days to improve and the rash may come back repeatedly. If the rash persists despite prescription treatment, your doctor may recommend that your baby see a dermatologist.
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