Best Suggestions to Cure & Prevent Diaper Rash

Updated on January 27, 2008
M.T. asks from Minneapolis, MN
33 answers

My 19 month old has had a bad recurring diaper rash for about 2 months. He is teething on and off too, so it could be contributing, but it's never lasted this long. Seems like it just starts to get better and then it's raging red again! Once there were even a couple blisters, but usually just redness and puffiness. Here's what we've tried: Desitin, A&D, Aquaphor, Powder, Butt Paste, changing diapers every 2 hours, using overnites for absorbency, soap only twice a week on bottom, sensitive wipes, Clotrimazole (for possible yeast). Any suggestions for how to kick a recurrent rash or should I call the doc? He doesn't seem to be uncomfortable when we touch it, either.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the responses! We had already tried yeast meds. I went and picked up some Triple Paste a couple days ago. For 3 nights now, we've been letting him run naked for 2 hours after his bath and smearing him with the Triple Paste at every diaper change. This morning, his bottom looked 100 times better. Just a teeny bit of redness remains. I'm hoping with continued use, it won't come back again. If it comes back soon again, we'll be stopping in to the doc's office. Thanks again!

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A.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

My daughter gets bad rashes with teething, too. We sprinkled corn starch on it and it was clear the next morning! My daughter was in a lot of pain and wouldn't let us put any medicine on the rash, so we let her touch the corn starch before using it and she was fine with putting it on then!

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T.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I use Golds Bonds powder and it works wonders on my sons diaper rashes when all the other don't. Good luck!

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K.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just glanced at the other responses, so maybe you've heard this already, but I'd take him in just to see if it's yeast, since it's been coming and going for so long. Lots of things, like diet sensitivity and diaper brands, have been known to cause rashes too, but if it's yeast, it won't go away until you actually treat that. So you might want to have them take a look to be on the safe side. Good luck!

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M.Z.

answers from Minneapolis on

You may want to try Lotrimin. We put that on our 12 month old daughter and it took the majority of it away in one night. You can find it at CVS pharmacy -- its used for foot fungus - of all things! My pediatrician gave me the idea -- so its safe to use for a few days. Good luck!

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D.Z.

answers from Minneapolis on

M.,

Has anyone suggested Triple Paste? I feel it's the best thing out there. My 3 1/2 yr. son had very sensative skin, and still does, and we would just cake his bottom with it everytime and it was like magic. It's not RX but you do have to ask for it behind the pharmacy counter. I got mine at Target but I'm sure they sell it anywhere.

Good Luck,
D. Z.

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L.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try Aveeno Diaper Cream and lather it on esp. at night time. Or perhaps make an apt. with a Dr. just to be certain of what type it is. There are prescription types of creams/lotions that a Dr. can order and rash goes away fast then. Never hesitate to take a child to the Dr. or be imbarrassed to take child to Dr. because of a rash - why have child suffer longer than necessary.

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L.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

Two words: Triple Paste!! It has been my lifesaver. It's a little pricier (about $6 a tube) but it is really thick and it has worked so well for us in the past when my daughter has had recurrent rashes. Good Luck!

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L.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

One of my sons has really sensitive skin as well. I figured out that we had to switch diaper brands, and that seemed to help alot. Also, let him run around without a diaper helps as well. I actually found when the rash was that bad that using baby powder helped more than the diaper rash cream, it kept his little bum dry but not so protected that it couldn't heal.

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S.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

We sometimes have the same problems, but most of our "tricks" are things you've already tried. I have noticed, though, our son gets rashes when we run out of yogurt. :) In other words, like those who use tablets, I believe the cultures in yogurt help keep things in check in his belly/intestines. Our favorite is Stoneyfield Farm's YoBaby. Then YoKids for when they switch from whole milk.

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D.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

We were recommended Triple Paste - can get it at Target. Also, my son had a recurrent issue and after one doctor visit, we were told to try a 1% Hydrocortisone Cream (even a generic from Walgreens or Target). Turns out his diaper rashes as he got older were something else and the Hydrocortisone Cream did the trick. But that was on the recommendation of a doctor after a visit. For a straight diaper rash, the Triple Paste worked when nothing else did.
Good luck.

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S.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

My sister uses cortizone on her son's rashes. I've used bacitracin and that's worked when others have only made my son's rash worse. Good luck.

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P.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

We liked Desitin Creamy the best. Everyone is different though. I also found that if you make sure that the area is REALLY dry before you put it on is better...and rub it in a bit..try not to have it just caked on...rub it in until there is almost no white residue left...like a lotion.

Airtime is good too, have some naked play time when you know he's just gone potty, or after a bath, because all kids that age generally pee in the tub, so it's sort of safe.

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J.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I know someone else already said to try Tripple paste - but this one really works! My daughter's bottom was so sensitive that if you wiped too hard when she was sore that she would bleed. This stuff would work the first time I put it on. My Dr was the one that told me to get it. Just ask for it at the pharmacy at Target, that's where I got it. Now my sisters use only this with their little one's too.

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K.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

My doctor just wrote me a prescription for "Poop Paste" which the make at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. She said this is about the best thing there is. My son's rash went away before I filled the prescription but I am keeping it anyway just in case. He was really sick and couldn't keep any formula in him and was totally raw. I used Butt Paste, FREQUENT diaper changes, let him be naked (gross, I know) for awhile in his crib or changing table so he could get some uninhibited dry air time, and used water instead of wipes for it. Good luck!

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T.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try Tripple paste, it used to be available by prescription only, but has been over the counter for a few years now. ou can get it in a big jug ($17, but well worth it in my opinion). there's a smaller size too, if you don't want to spend that type of money right away until you know if it works.

With the jug you can just grab a large amount and slather it all over the bottom. Then you can use a small amount to prevent if you see redness beginning.

I love it, it's the only thing that worked for my youngest.

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K.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

My little one developed a bad rash on vacation, probably because we put on 2,000 miles in the car, but it took about a month to go away after we returned home. I have used Aveeno, Burts bees, A&D.. Burts worked the best. Also, we let her run around without a diaper for most of the day making sure to keep her dry if she piddled on the floor. yeah I know..peeing on the floor..anyways just letting her air dry and away from diapers for awhile helped to clear it up. We also switched to cloth and G diapers now and she hasn't had a rash since. What kind of diapers are you using..I know my daughter would develope a rash when we would use target brand or other off brands..I hope it clears up..

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J.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have had the best luck with Triple Paste. You can find it by all of the other diaper rash ointments. I got it at Target. Kind of pricey, but worth it! I also try to soak my daughter in the tub everyday when she has bad diaper rash, and then let her lay on a blanket without her diaper on for a while to let it air out. Our pediatrician also recommended using the hair dryer during diaper changes. I guess the warm air helps it heal. Good luck!

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M.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

My son had the same issue when he was little and our doctor told us to use Lotrimin AF (yes, the same thing that people use for athlete's foot). It seems that many diaper rashes are caused by the same critters that cause athlete's foot (which makes sense given the warm, moist environment). We used the cream for about 3 days the first time around before the rash cleared up. Then, we kept it on hand to stay on top of the problem and only used it when a flare up occurred.

Good luck.

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J.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

My son had really bad diaper rash when he was getting his 2 year molars. The triage nurse at the clinic suggested soaking him in a warm tub with 2TBSP of baking soda. The baking soda neutralizes the acidity. I gave him 2 soaks a day and it worked great. After the first day, I noticed a huge decrease in the redness. I also used lotrimin (target brand) after the bath and A&D diaper rash cream with other diaper changes. Good luck!

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A.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi,
My son had the same thing going on so I called the doctor and they gave me a perscription for a cream called butt paste,it was the BEST ever the rash was gone in almost 1 day. I didnt even have to bring him in I just called.
I hope this works I know how sad it is when your baby is going through this.
A.

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B.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

Don't diaper hop what I mean by that is stick to one brand. If I switched my daughter's brand because one was on sale I was doomed for a irritated bottom.

Put diaper creme on after EVERY diaper change regardless if needed or not.

Let your little one run around naked and air dry his bottom.

Pay attention to his diet, he may be eating something with alot of acid or something that's coming out in his urine or bowel movements that to harsh on his skin.

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M.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

We give my son acidophilus probiotics in his milk to prevent diaper rash. It was recommended by our doc and everytime I try to stop giving them, he gets a rash. I buy "Floragen" brand capsules ($15-30 a bottle depending on quantity--Whole Foods and other natutal foods stores carry them). They need to be kept in the fridge. I open the capsules and put half their contents in every cup of milk he drinks(he ends up getting 2 capsules a day). Kind of weird, but seems perfectly harmless, just more of the "good bacteria" that are in yogurt.

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J.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

There are lots of things that can cause diaper rash. Sometimes a certain brand of diaper can do it and even certain citrus fruits or juices can do it.
My daughter recently had a never ending rash and we tried the prescription butt cream and the yeast cream and it kept coming back. Finally they tested it and it WAS yeast so they gave us an oral prescription for it and had me use cortisone for 4 days on her butt and it went right away.
Sometimes I think they just get out of hand and oral meds are the only thing to get them under control.
Best of luck,
J.

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Its more than likely from the diapers. They are incredibly harsh on skin, full of chemicals, and literally pull any moisture right out of the skin, leaving it dry and vulnerable to the chemicals in the diaper. So take broken/sore skin, pull all hte moisture out of it, then put a paper diaper on it all day. Its a vicious cycle.

My point is, diapes are harsh, and his rash is probably from the diapers, and it can't get better sitting against one all day.

Would you consider cloth diapers, at least for a short time until his rash goes away? If not, then get a piece of fleece, cut it in the shape of the diaper, and just lay it in the diaper to keep his butt off of hte diaper, and on the fleece instead. It'll wick hte moisture away, and also keep the chemicals off his butt.

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S.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

My son is 21 months old and he has had really bad diaper rashes - on and off - for quite awhile. I tried everything too, but then I purchased Triple Paste Medicated at Target and it seems to work really well. I would really recommend it!

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J.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I use pure shea butter on my little one to heal diaper rash. It works really well and is super gentle.

Good luck!
J.

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E.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would definitely call the doctor. He may have yeast which you need medication to clear up.

My daughter also has had horrible diaper rash problems. Here's a few tricks that worked for her:

1. We used diaper rash cream EVERY time we changed her, even if she didn't have a rash. Any of the thicker creams work well for rash prevention (I personally like Desitin and A&D). I would skip anything like Butt Paste - too thin.

2. It sounds silly, but we thoroughly dry her with a hair dryer set on low & using the "cool" button every time we change her. Keeping everything dry really helps, especially with yeast rashes.

3. We finally switched to cloth diapers and check her diaper every hour, which has made the biggest difference. She rarely gets rashes anymore.

My pediatrician also recommended running warm water over her wipes so the solution isn't as strong. Even the sensitive wipes are loaded with chemicals that can be irritating. I might try using just water while the rash is really bad.

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B.

answers from Minneapolis on

If you've tried all those things already and it still isn't better, I'd wonder about an allergy. It surprises me though that it doesn't seem to bother him. I'd pay close attention to what he's eating for a few weeks to see if you can see some sort of a pattern (acid foods tend to make acid foods, but lots of other things can cause diaper rash too). If you don't see any pattern and its still not better, definitely call the doctor.

B.
Momma to a toddler

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T.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

My pharmacist told me about the Lotrimin AF and it worked wonders, just as Michelle K. said.

I found that if I gave my boys undiluted juices (especially apple!) that they'd get rashes. So, I'd dilute their juice 50-50 and the only times they had rashes were when someone (daycare) had given them 100% juice.

(Just an fyi...daycares (by law) can't dilute juice. I didn't think of it then, but you may be able to ask them to alternate juice and water, instead of just the juice...)

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I saw an advertisement on Tv last night for Perscription diaper cream. Try calling your doctor to see if he will write you a perscription or better yet give you some samples. It is for persistant diaper rash. Also have you tried switching diapers, that may help.

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T.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi,
I know this may sound a little weird but corn starch works great. My friends son always had a diaper rash, her mom suggested corn starch. It worked great. What it does is pull the moister away from the bottom.

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E.V.

answers from Minneapolis on

I tried a bunch of different diaper rash creams that I'd been given before my daughter was born, but they took a long time to work. Later, we bought Burt's Bees Diaper Rash Cream, and I wouldn't ever use anything else. The rash usually clears up within a few hours or usually less than a day. I would HIGHLY recommend it. Also- I would keep the moisture down there to a minimum, even with wipes or whatever else. If any is trapped it will enflame it.

Hope that helps!

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C.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

M.,

I had four kids who all had sensitive skin. Here are things that helped but I would first get him checked out by the doctor again.
1. Triple paste
2. No diaper at night (put lots of absorbing underneath him).
3. Fresh air and sunshine (hard this time of year)on his skin.
4. Watch to make sure he isn't drinking a lot of juice. My son was raw when he was 3 two months old. I quit drinking the juice because I was nursing and it went away.
5. If you are using paper diapers watch the brands some have more additives in them.

Good luck - the only good thing about it was all of my kids were potty trained at two years old. They didn't like those diapers.

Chris B.

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