Diaper Rash: How To Prepare And Protect Your Baby

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.

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.

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.

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:

Symptoms and Treatment

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

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

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

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:

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!

The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.