When is diaper rash bad

The best way to prevent diaper rash is to keep the diaper area clean and dry. A few simple strategies can help decrease the likelihood of diaper rash developing on your baby's skin. In the past, it was common to use powders, such as cornstarch or talcum powder, to protect a baby's skin and absorb excess moisture. Doctors no longer recommend this.

Inhaled powder can irritate a baby's lungs. Many parents wonder about what kind of diapers to use. When it comes to preventing diaper rash, there's no compelling evidence that cloth diapers are better than disposable diapers or vice versa. Because there's no one best diaper, use whatever works for you and your baby. If one brand of disposable diaper irritates your baby's skin, try another. If the laundry soap you use on cloth diapers seems to cause a diaper rash, switch products.

Whether you use cloth diapers, disposables or both kinds, always change your baby as soon as possible after he or she wets or soils the diaper to keep the bottom as clean and dry as possible.

If you use cloth diapers, careful washing can help prevent diaper rash. Washing methods vary and many routines work well. They key is to clean, disinfect and remove soap residue.

Here's one effective method:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Diaper rash is a common form of inflamed skin dermatitis that appears as a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby's bottom.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Topic Overview Diaper rash diaper dermatitis is a skin problem caused by the skin staying wet, rubbing from the diaper, and contact with chemicals in the urine and stool. The most common causes of diaper rash include: Not changing a wet or dirty diaper often enough.

The skin becomes irritated from contact with urine and stool, particularly when diarrhea is present. Babies starting to eat solid foods. This may change their stools and make diaper rash worse. Rubbing of the skin by a diaper or incontinence brief. The irritated area may include the thighs, genitals, buttocks, or belly area. A skin reaction to perfumes in disposable diapers or incontinence briefs, to chemicals in skin-cleaning "diaper wipes," or to the detergents or fabric softeners used to clean cloth diapers.

Neglect occurs when a caregiver does not treat a diaper rash at the time treatment is needed. Abuse occurs when a caregiver purposely does not treat a diaper rash because of anger directed at the child or vulnerable adult.

Check Your Symptoms Do you have a concern about diaper rash? How old are you? Less than 12 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.

If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Are there symptoms of a more serious infection in the diaper area? Do you think your child has a fever? Do you think you may have a fever? Are there symptoms of a fungal infection in the diaper area? Are there white patches in the mouth? Is your child having trouble eating or swallowing?

Are you having trouble swallowing? Has there been a rash in any of the skin folds, such as the neck, underarms, or belly button, for more than 2 days? Do you think the diaper rash may be caused by abuse or neglect? Does the skin look red and raw, like it was scalded or burned? Is diaper rash causing a lot of pain during urination? Are any areas of red, raw skin larger than 2. Do you think that a medicine may be causing the diaper rash?

For example, antibiotics can lead to a fungal infection and rash in the diaper area. Have you tried home treatment for the rash for more than 2 days? Is the rash getting better with home treatment? Is the rash on any other parts of the body? Has this type of rash occurred before? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.

Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse. Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect.

You may need care sooner. Signs that diaper rash may be a fungal infection include: A red rash in the skin creases. The rash usually has clear borders and tiny red or pus-filled pimples beyond the borders of the rash. A rash in other skin folds, such as the neck, underarms, or belly button. White patches in the mouth. White discharge from the vagina. Symptoms of a more serious infection in the diaper area may include: Increased pain, swelling, heat, or redness around the rash.

A fever. Clear, fluid-filled blisters that leave red, raw areas when they break open. Pus in or draining from the rash. Being fussy, upset, and hard to console. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.

Babies left in a wet or dirty diaper for too long can get diaper rash. Frequent stools or diarrhea can also irritate the skin. Diapers that rub against the skin or fit too tightly can cause irritation. Candida infection.

Candida is a fungus that grows in warm, moist places. The rash it causes, also called a yeast infection, is usually bright red with smaller red spots around the edges.

Allergic reaction. Stop using products that appear to cause a rash. New foods. This can make diaper rash more likely. A breastfed baby could develop a rash in reaction to something the mother has eaten. Yeast infections are common after a baby has been taking antibiotics, or if the mother is on antibiotics while breastfeeding.

How is diaper rash diagnosed? Can diaper rash be prevented or avoided? Secure diapers loosely to allow for airflow. Wash your hands before and after changing diapers to prevent spreading germs that could cause infections.

Some babies get rashes often. You can apply a barrier ointment at every diaper change to prevent irritation. Products that contain zinc oxide such as Desitin or petroleum such as Vaseline are good choices. Inhaled powder can irritate their lungs.

Diaper rash treatment. Living with diaper rash. If you use cloth diapers, you should also keep these tips in mind. Wash diapers in hot water with bleach to kill germs. You can also boil them for 15 minutes on the stove after washing.

Rinse diapers times to remove all soap and chemicals. If you use detergent, be sure to choose detergent for sensitive skin. There are some brands specific to babies and cloth diapers.

Avoid fabric softener and dryer sheets, which can irritate skin. Try to avoid plastic pants that fit over diapers.