Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiaper Rash SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diaper Rash Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Diaper rashis redness or irritation that develops on the genitals, buttocks, or thighs. It’s the most common skin condition that affects infants, occurring in about half of all babies.
Diaper rash can affect anyone who wears a diaper, but babies between 9 months and 12 months old are most at risk for developing the skin condition.Diaper rash is usually easy to treat.
This article discusses the symptoms and causes of diaper rash and various treatment options.
Nikola Stojadinovic / Getty Images
A diaper rash can be mild or appear as painful, open sores, which are susceptible to infection. Symptoms of diaper rash may include:
Babies with a diaper rash often cry during changing.Older toddlers might also scratch the area.
When to Seek Medical Care
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2022.
Diaper rash is an inflammatory reaction of the skin. In most cases, the main cause of diaper rash is contact with certain substances, such as urine and feces, which can irritate the skin.
Othercauses of diaper rashinclude:
Why Does Stool and Urine Cause Diaper Rash?Frequent bowel movements (stool) and urine left in a diaper too long may contain substances that inflame the skin around the diaper area. Newborns and infants whose diapers are changed more frequently are less likely to experience diaper rash.
Why Does Stool and Urine Cause Diaper Rash?
Frequent bowel movements (stool) and urine left in a diaper too long may contain substances that inflame the skin around the diaper area. Newborns and infants whose diapers are changed more frequently are less likely to experience diaper rash.
How to Spot and Take Care of Your Newborn’s Rash
4 Home Remedies for Diaper Rash That Actually Work
For mild rashes, over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments can help. Products that contain zinc oxide or petroleum jelly can keep moisture at bay and protect the skin.
Depending on what’s causing the rash, healthcare providers might prescribe anantifungal cream, acorticosteroidcream, or an antibiotic cream.
Lotrimin (Clotrimazole) for Diaper Rash
Which Type of Diaper Is Best?Research suggests that disposable diapers rather than cloth diapers can lower the risk of diaper rash.However, how frequently the diaper is changed is more important than the type of diaper used. Some people notice that more absorbent diapers protect better against diaper rash.
Which Type of Diaper Is Best?
Research suggests that disposable diapers rather than cloth diapers can lower the risk of diaper rash.However, how frequently the diaper is changed is more important than the type of diaper used. Some people notice that more absorbent diapers protect better against diaper rash.
Prognosis: How Serious Is Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash usually responds well to treatment. In most cases, a diaper rash can heal within two to three days.
Complications of Diaper RashSometimes, severe diaper rash can develop into an infection that struggles to respond to treatment. In babies with darker skin, diaper rash can cause areas of the skin to lighten, which can take months or years to return to normal.
Complications of Diaper Rash
Sometimes, severe diaper rash can develop into an infection that struggles to respond to treatment. In babies with darker skin, diaper rash can cause areas of the skin to lighten, which can take months or years to return to normal.
Babies with diaper rash may be fussy or irritable. Some healthcare providers may recommend pain medicines for older infants to help ease the discomfort.
Bleeding With Diaper Rash: Remedies and Topicals to Try
Summary
Treatment for Adult Diaper Rash
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Common diaper rashes and treatments.UpToDate.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diaper dermatitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.Diaper rash.Mount Sinai.Diaper rash.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat diaper rash.American Academy of Pediatrics.Diapers: Disposable or cloth?.Nemours KidsHealth.Diaper rash.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Common diaper rashes and treatments.UpToDate.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diaper dermatitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.Diaper rash.Mount Sinai.Diaper rash.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat diaper rash.American Academy of Pediatrics.Diapers: Disposable or cloth?.Nemours KidsHealth.Diaper rash.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Common diaper rashes and treatments.UpToDate.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diaper dermatitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.Diaper rash.Mount Sinai.Diaper rash.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat diaper rash.American Academy of Pediatrics.Diapers: Disposable or cloth?.Nemours KidsHealth.Diaper rash.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Common diaper rashes and treatments.
UpToDate.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diaper dermatitis.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Diaper rash.
Mount Sinai.Diaper rash.
American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat diaper rash.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Diapers: Disposable or cloth?.
Nemours KidsHealth.Diaper rash.
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