A diaper rash is a painful, burning rash that can make your baby very uncomfortable. MedlinePlus notes that diaper rashes are common in babies between 4 and 15 months old. You might notice that your baby develops one when he first begins eating solid foods. While home treatment is often successful in resolving diaper rash, more severe rashes might require treatment with prescription medication.
Symptoms
A diaper rash develops on the parts of your baby’s body covered by the diaper – the genitals, inner thighs, buttocks and possibly, even the stomach. Its appearance can vary, but if your baby's diaper area looks irritated and red, she likely has it. Diaper rash can be mild with just a few prickly bright red spots -- or it and can include extensive bumps, blisters or ulcers. Skin may appear swollen or puffy in affected areas and may itch or burn. Open ulcers or broken blisters might make burning and pain more severe. Diaper rash on the genitals in both males and females often looks red and scaly. Take your child to the doctor if she develops a fever, her rash worsens, or if blisters, ulcers, boils or pus form.
Risk Factors
Diaper rash results when something irritates your baby’s skin. It can occur when skin is exposed to ammonia in urine, or acid in feces -- or it might occur if your baby starts eating new types of foods. Breastfed babies can develop a rash in reaction to something their mothers eat, particularly if the food is acidic. Ingredients in laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, soap, powder, lotions or diaper wipes can also irritate your baby’s skin and cause a rash. In some cases, a fungal or bacterial infection might cause the rash. The risk of a yeast infection might increase if a baby or breastfeeding mother is taking antibiotics, MayoClinic.com reports.
Treatment
Over-the-counter diaper rash creams containing zinc oxide can be helpful in relieving pain and burning, as well as reducing redness in mild cases of diaper rash. More severe rashes might require treatment with a prescription hydrocortisone or antifungal cream. If your baby has a painful and stubborn case of diaper rash, your doctor may prescribe a steroidal cream or ointment. Always apply both over-the-counter and prescription products to clean dry skin.
Considerations
If your baby has a diaper rash, change his diapers frequently, buy diapers that keep moisture away from the skin and allow him to go diaper-free several times during the day. MedlinePlus recommends avoiding rubber pants over diapers because they don’t allow air to pass through to the skin. If you use cloth diapers, rinse the diapers thoroughly when washing. If you don't, soap residue can irritate your baby's skin. Keep all products that contain potential irritants away from your baby's skin. Instead of using perfumed diaper wipes, wet a washcloth with warm water and use it to gently clean the genital area.
