Diaper Rash
DESCRIPTION A form of contact dermatitis that causes skin irritation in the diaper area of infants.
It involves the skin around the genitals, rectum and abdomen in the area covered by diapers.
May also occur in adults who have lost bladder control and wear adult-type disposable diapers.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Moist, painful, red, spotty and itchy (sometimes) skin in the diaper area.
The skin may be cracked and fissured.
In male infants, a red, raw and occasionally bloody area may appear around the opening at the tip of the penis.
Yeast infections cause a rash that doesn’t involve the thigh creases and that have small spot like satellite lesions.
CAUSES
Diaper rash results from skin irritation produced by substances in the urine or stool.
Yeast infections of the skin cause a specific type of diaper rash.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Infrequent diaper changes.
Friction from rough diapers.
Improper laundering of diapers.
Family history of skin allergies.
Hot, humid weather.
Chemical irritation from diarrhea.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Change diapers frequently.
Keep diapers clean.
Leave diaper off for 10-30 minutes between diaper changes for air exposure (in susceptible children).
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Usually curable with treatment.
Recurrence is common.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Secondary bacterial infection in the rash area (rare).
GENERAL MEASURES
Expose the buttocks to air as much as possible.
Change diapers frequently, even at night if the rash is extensive.
Don't use soap or boric acid to wash the rash area. Cleanse with cotton dipped in mineral oil.
Discontinue using baby lotion, powder, ointment or baby oil unless prescribed for you.
Apply small amounts of non-prescription petroleum jelly, lanolin based ointment or zinc oxide ointment to the rash at the earliest sign of diaper rash, and 2 or 3 times a day thereafter.
MEDICATION
Medicated anti-inflammatory ointments (creams can burn), such as hydrocortisone (cortizone 10).
If a yeast infection, Lotrimin AF or Clotrimazole (available over the counter).
NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IF
Home treatment doesn't cure the rash in 1 week.
The following occur during treatment:
- Pustules in the rash area.
- Female infant develops adhesions (attachment) of the vaginal lips.
New, unexplained symptoms develop.
Fever.
Bleeding.
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