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Diaper Rash: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

© Julie Moore

The bad news is it’s red and uncomfortable. The good news is, with proper care, it can be prevented and, most often, easily treated. Diaper rash is the unwelcome result of urine, feces, chemicals, chafing, little air, and high moisture combining to make your child’s bottom downright ugly. A common and often reoccuring condition, it likely first appears on the bottom for girls and front for boys.

The singular word “rash” in “diaper rash” is deceiving since there are many different skin conditions that fit this label. The most common are candida dermatitis (thrush), a yeast that lives in warm, moist conditions, and diaper dermatitis, likely due to too tight diapers. Other diaper rashes include chafing dermatitis, intertrigo, seborrheic dermatitis, perianal dermatitis, impetigo, tidemark dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis. Depending upon the kind of rash, physical symptoms encompass redness, itchiness, rawness, yellowish scales, pain and discomfort. Ideally, the best treatment is prevention. However, if you and your little one are beyond this stage, here’s what to keep in mind:

- Ensure your child’s diapers are not too tight around his legs. Is your more plump or muscular child in an ill-fitting diaper? If so, it is time to move up a size in diaper.

- Diapers should be breathable and snug but not too tight around the waist. Rubber pants should be avoided as they trap moisture and heat in the problem area. If rubber pants were what you relied upon for in the water, try the new pool diapers by Huggies.

- Try to change that bottom frequently, as pee and poop irritate the rash. If a child is particularily soiled, it doesn’t hurt to give her bottom a quick bath in the basin or tub. Just avoid using any harsh detergents or soaps.

- Air out your child’s bottom by keeping a diaper uncovered but underneath him. Make sure you have old blankets beneath this, or try undiapering outside on a warm, sunny day, if you’re worried about messy consequences.

- Barrier creams, preferably zinc-oxide based, guard against any irritation to baby’s delicate skin.

- Consider your child’s diet. The introduction of a more varied diet at around seven to nine months may lead to increased irritants in the stools and urine. In his book, “Everyday Pediatrics for Parents,” pediatric doctor Elmer Grossman mentions he has even seen the occasional case due to sensitivity to orange juice.

If, after taking these measures, the diaper rash fails to improve, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your child may need a topical prescription creme or antifungal cream and more specific treatment if the condition persists.

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