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 2Use diaper cream
Apply a thick layer of diaper rash cream or ointment, which helps by creating an anti-moisture barrier.
Tip 3Keep 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 4Choose 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 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 red, 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 bumps along with larger reddened areas of the 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?
It’s important to remember that diapers do not cause diaper rashes. Even with frequent diaper changes, diaper rash can still affect your baby; however, it commonly occurs when the skin is exposed to urine or stool for an extended period of time and becomes irritated.
Diaper rash can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an increase in pH, excess skin hydration, friction, microbes, and irritants in bowel movement. Explore some of the factors below.
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.
Use diaper cream
Apply a thick layer of diaper rash cream or ointment, which helps by creating an anti-moisture barrier.
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.
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
- air-drying of the skin
- use of a diaper rash cream.
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 shiny, bright red patches with sharp edges. Sometimes there may be pink bumps or pimples, 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.
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
Even if you don't always love diaper changes, you will love knowing that your little one feels dry and comfortable in their diaper. Plus, as you become a diapering pro, diaper changes will become easier and easier. Before you know it, you'll be done!
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.”
