Most babies will have diaper rash (often also known as diaper dermatitis) at least once, even with superabsorbent diaper technology and frequent diaper changes. In most cases, mild diaper rash will clear up in a few days with simple treatment, and your baby’s skin will be back to normal.
5 Quick Tips for Diaper Rash Treatment & Prevention
Tip 1Change your baby's diaper regularly
Help prevent diaper rash by keeping your baby’s skin as clean and as dry as possible.
Tip 2Keep your baby’s skin clean
Use alcohol-free and fragrance-free wipes, or clean your baby’s skin with water and a gentle cleanser.
Tip 3Choose the right size diaper
Make sure that your baby’s diaper fits properly. Consider using a slightly larger diaper while your baby is recovering from diaper rash.
Tip 4Choose diapers with super-absorbent layers
Select diapers that effectively draw moisture away from your little one’s skin to help keep them dry and comfortable.
Tip 5Let your baby’s skin breathe
Reduce the time spent in close contact with diapers, when it’s possible. For example, during tummy time.
Find out more about what causes diaper rash (hint: it’s not diapers), common symptoms, and how you can treat this condition as quickly as possible and prevent it from reoccurring.
What Is Diaper Rash?
Diaper dermatitis, also known as diaper rash, is one of the most common conditions among infants, affecting more than half of babies. A baby with diaper rash will have irritated, tender, and flaky skin in the diapered area.
Tip
Diaper rash happens to more than 50% of babies, so no need to fret if you start to notice the diaper area turning red and becoming sensitive. This rash can typically be treated in a few days, but seek advice from your healthcare professional should the rash persist.
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**Source: World Health Organization
What Does Diaper Rash Look Like?
Common symptoms of diaper rash include:
Red or brown bumps which may be harder to see on darker skin tones, along with larger areas of sensitive or irritated skin around the diaper area or in the folds of your baby’s upper thighs
Peeling, flaking, or scaly skin
The affected area may look puffy and tender, and feel warm to the touch
Your baby seems irritable or fussy
If the rash comes from a skin infection caused by yeast or bacteria, for example, then you might see more severe diaper rash signs, such as:
Blisters or open sores
Pus-filled blisters
Watery fluid or pus seeping from reddened patches
Remember, it’s possible your baby may be experiencing something different than diaper rash. For example, cradle cap and eczema are two other common conditions that present with similar symptoms to diaper rash. More information on how to recognize those rashes can be found here.
In Summary
Diaper rash is extremely common in infants, though it is not caused by diapers. Diaper rash can be caused by a variety of factors like an increase in skin pH, friction excess skin hydration, among others. Most diaper rashes will clear up in a few days but reach out to your healthcare professional if the rash is still present or worsens.
Diaper Rash & Causes
What Causes Diaper Rash?
Diapers themselves do not cause diaper rash, but even with frequent changes, diaper rash can still occur. The four main causes of rash are poo on the skin, overhydration, friction, and an imbalance in skin pH.
Overhydration commonly occurs when prolonged wetness from urine weakens the skin, and friction tends to occur from tight-fitting diapers or clothing, which may lead to chafing and irritation.
Imbalanced skin pH, often affected by enzymes in stool, may weaken the skin’s protective barrier. Prolonged contact with stool or diarrhea, particularly during extended diaper use, could further aggravate and irritate the skin.
Teething, which can alter stool composition due to increased saliva, is an additional contributing factor. Other causes may include bacterial, yeast, or viral infections, reactions to new products, and improper diaper fit. Understanding these factors may help reduce the risk of diaper rash and keep your baby comfortable.
Irritants
The most common cause of diaper rash is skin irritation, resulting from:
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Mess on Skin
Sitting in a soiled diaper and being exposed to urine or stool for long periods of time, disrupting pH
Sitting in a soiled diaper and being exposed to urine or stool for long periods of time, disrupting pH
Increased pH
Enzymes found in stool can increase the skin’s pH level, leading to skin irritation and redness as they break down the protective lipids and proteins in the skin
Enzymes found in stool can increase the skin’s pH level, leading to skin irritation and redness as they break down the protective lipids and proteins in the skin
Overhydration
Extended periods of wetness in the diapered area can lead to overhydrated skin, which is more easily damaged, prone to chaffing, and leading to an increase in microbial growth
Extended periods of wetness in the diapered area can lead to overhydrated skin, which is more easily damaged, prone to chaffing, and leading to an increase in microbial growth
Friction
A tight-fitting diaper or tight clothing that causes chaffing or rubbing
A tight-fitting diaper or tight clothing that causes chaffing or rubbing
Symptoms and Treatment
What to look for
Pink or red patches in the diaper area. The folds near the groin will usually look normal
What to do about it
Make sure to change your baby’s diaper regularly, keep the diaper area clean, and apply a diaper cream. It’s also a good idea to use a well-fittinghighly absorbent diaper that isn’t too tight and doesn't chafe against your baby’s skin. It’s also important to choose wipes with a pH-buffering capability to help maintain a balanced skin pH in the diapered area
Yeast (Fungus) Infection
Another common type of diaper rash is a yeast infection, resulting from an overgrowth of fungus located in the digestive tract. In some instances, a yeast infection can develop after your baby’s completed a course of antibiotics, or if you’ve taken antibiotics while breastfeeding. Antibiotics can kill both good and bad bacteria, leading to a yeast infection or diarrhea, which irritates the diapered area.
Symptoms and Treatment
What to look for
Shiny, bright red patches with sharp edges. There may even be pink bumps or pimples, sores, or cracked skin that oozes or bleeds. A fungal diaper rash is often more severe when it appears in the folds of your baby’s groin
What to do about it
If you suspect this kind of diaper rash, contact your baby’s healthcare provider, who may prescribe a topical antifungal cream. Be sure to wash your hands before and after any diaper change to prevent the spread of the fungus
Bacterial Infection
Although cases are rare, diaper rash can come from a bacterial infection called impetigo, caused by either the staph or strep bacteria. This can lead to diaper rash or make an existing diaper rash worse.
Symptoms and Treatment
What to look for
A strep infection will often show up as bright red skin around your baby’s anus, whereas a staph infection may appear as yellow crusting, weeping, or pimples
What to do about it
If you believe your baby’s diaper rash may be due to a bacterial infection, see your baby’s healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Don’t use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to treat the diaper rash, unless it’s recommended by your child’s provider
Allergens
Your baby may also be sensitive or allergic to certain substances or ingredients, such as:
Dyes in soap, laundry detergent, or fabric softeners
Elastic in diapers
Ingredients in baby powder, lotions, oils, ointments, and creams
Food— allergens can be passed on to your baby through breast milk, or through anything your baby eats once they have started eating solid foods
Symptoms and Treatment
What to look for
A rash may show up shortly after exposure to the allergen
What to do about it
Consider switching to another type of diaper, wipe, or cream for a two-week period to see if that helps clear up the rash. If a food allergy is suspected, remove that food from your baby’s diet. See your baby’s healthcare provider for a diagnosis, possible testing, and treatment recommendations
Other Causes Of Diaper Rash
There are other conditions to look out for that can also cause diaper rash. For example, the rash may actually be seborrheic dermatitis, a condition in which the glands of the skin produce too much oil. Or the rash may be triggered by a genetic condition like acrodermatitis enteropathica, which is a zinc deficiency.
If you believe your baby’s diaper rash may be due to one of these conditions, or if you’re not sure what’s causing the rash, see your little one’s healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
How To Treat And Prevent Diaper Rash
Diaper rash normally clears up within three or four days when treated properly. If the rash persists and doesn’t clear up in a few days, seek advice or schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional.
The steps for treating diaper rash and preventing it are very similar. Below are a few guidelines you can follow if your baby is experiencing symptoms:
Change your baby's diaper regularly
Help prevent diaper rash by keeping your baby’s skin as clean and as dry as possible.
Keep your baby’s skin clean
Use alcohol-free and fragrance-free wipes, or clean your baby’s skin with water and a gentle cleanser.
Choose the right size diaper
Make sure that your baby’s diaper fits properly. Consider using a slightly larger diaper while your baby is recovering from diaper rash.
Choose diapers with super-absorbent layers
Select diapers that effectively draw moisture away from your little one’s skin to help keep them dry and comfortable.
Let your baby’s skin breathe
Reduce the time spent in close contact with diapers, when it’s possible. For example, during tummy time.
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FAQs at a Glance
What gets rid of diaper rash fast?
Most mild cases of diaper rash will clear up within a few days with
- frequent diaper changes
- use breathable disposable diapers
- use a recommended ointment recommended by a health care provider.
When should you be worried about diaper rash?
If you don’t notice improvement within two to three days, if your baby develops a fever, or if the diaper rash worsens — developing blisters, for example—consult your baby’s healthcare provider.
Is a bath good for diaper rash?
Washing or rinsing your baby’s diaper area with warm water can help clear up diaper rash. Avoid using soaps with fragrance and be sure to let the area dry well—either air-dry the area or gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
What does a yeast diaper rash look like?
Diaper rash caused by a yeast infection may have irritated red or darker patches with sharp edges. Sometimes there may be sensitive bumps or pimples that may be harder to see on darker skin tones, or sores, and cracked skin that oozes or bleeds. Another possible sign of a fungal diaper rash is if the rash has spread to your baby’s groin. Please note that these areas may be harder to see on darker skin tones.
How do you treat a yeast diaper rash?
Your baby’s healthcare provider may prescribe an antifungal ointment to help treat your baby’s diaper rash if it’s caused by a yeast infection.
What causes a yeast diaper rash?
A yeast infection diaper rash is a result of an overgrowth of fungus located in the digestive tract. A yeast infection sometimes develops after your baby has completed a course of antibiotics.
The Bottom Line
Remember that a diaper rash is not caused by the diaper itself but is often linked to four main factors: overhydration, friction, imbalanced skin pH, and prolonged contact with stool. With help from your child’s healthcare provider, you can receive an expert diagnosis and treatment for managing symptoms.
Consider trying our Pampers® Swaddlers and Pampers® Sensitive™ Wipes together as a diapering regimen. These two powerhouse products are scientifically demonstrated to work together to balance pH levels, improving overall skin health and providing the ultimate comfort for your baby.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 6th ed. (New York: Bantam Books, 2009.)
Healthy Children. “Changing Diapers.”
Kids Health. “Diapering.”
