Severe Diaper Rash - Little Elm,TX

Updated on May 16, 2007
J.S. asks from Plano, TX
27 answers

Moms - I need your help! My son cannot wear Pampers pull-ups and when he does he breaks out into severe diaper rash and it looks awful! I have told his teachers, management, and director at his daycare that under no circumstance should my son ever wear a Pampers pull-ups. He also cannot use Desitin or AD. I use Dr. Smiths and Aquaphor. Usually when he breaks out I smear the Dr. Smiths and Aquaphor and I start him immediately on a BRAT diet. I'm unable to get him to the Dr. tomorrow, but plan on taking him on Monday. I feel so bad for the little guy...is there ANYTHING else I can do?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Moms, I thank you for all of your responses. I am finally home from the dr and *drumroll please* it's a yeast infection! His pediatrician recommended gyne-lotrimin, and I didn't see it on the shelf so I asked the pharmacy and she told me it was like monistat and anyone of them would work. I chose one brand and I made the first application and I was really hoping for something a little thicker. I'm so happy to finally know what was bothering him and that there is some relief in sight.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Dallas on

Hands down best thing - baking soda bath!!! Works fantastically well!!! That and some nakedness...fresh air does a body good in more ways than one. Any way, for the bath use about 2 tbls for a baby size tub. He'll be better in no time.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Dallas on

Go to CVS pharmacy, Walmart, Target, Kroger and buy some Aveeno soak packets. They come in a box and follows directions. Let him soak in the tub. It should help I used it for my son several years ago. Aveeno also has other products available. Good Luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Dallas on

When my son was about 13 months old he had severe diaper rashes due to the anti biotics for his chronic ear infections and I tried everything and the one thing that work (his ped. suggested it) was in his morning sippy of orange juice I added 1 teaspoon of metamusil (ms?) and it would put a jelly like coating on his poop and his diaper rash was much better within half a day and gone within a week...Hope this helps.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.G.

answers from Dallas on

Your case sounds like it might be an allergic reaction, but in most cases a sever diaper rash is actually a yeast infection (yes, I know that sounds bizarre, but my pediatrician told me this years ago). He recommended (when I called and couldn't come in that day) that I go to the store and get Myconizole (??). It is over the counter women's yeast infection cream. I bathed my son and after he was dried off applied a couple of times a day --and the rash was almost completely gone in one day. It works like magic. Ask your local pharmacist and they should be able to help you pick the one that will work. No other "diaper rash" cream will have the same result --believe me I've tried them all.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.J.

answers from Dallas on

Try Boudreaux's Butt Paste (funny name...serious diaper rash relief!) It's available at your local pharmacy, or Wal-Mart/Target retailers. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Dallas on

Take his diaper off and let him run around in the buff as much as you can. You can put a pad under him in his bed so that he can sleep in the buff. The more air that can get to his bottom, the quicker the rash will go away. Consider covering him with Aquaphor before going to school in case they put the wrong pull-up on. I feel for you. My 3 yr old started getting rashes so bad she would just scream and whimper when it was time to change her. Thank god we finally have her almost completely potty changed.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter is unable to wear several different types of diapers because she is allergic to them. Are you sure this is not contact dermatitus and not a diaper rash? I used several different creams before getting a pescription for Happy Hiney from my doctor and it cleared it up quickly. Just a suggestion, I hope everything works out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

Good Morning!!!
I can totally relate how upsetting it is to see our little ones in soo much pain!! All of my kids at some time in their life have had a dooozy!!!

Out of EVERYTHING I have tried in the past 11 years, the best diaper cream out there is Arbonne Baby care hands down!!!

But you may need more than a diaper cream. If after you use a diaper cream there isn't a substantial difference, try using hydrocortisone cream under the diaper cream. It is an anti inflamatory so it will help bring the swelling down!

If that doesn't work I switch to monistat cream (just like the 7 day yeast cream stuff..no kidding!!)...a lot of diaper rashes when it starts getting warm are yeast in nature (just like when women are more prone to yeast infections!!! Just think how warm and moist diapers stay...perfect breeding ground for yeast).

Then if THAT doesn't work you can try Lotrimin AF (yes, the athletes foot cream) for a fungal rash.

My old pediatrician at home was wonderful about telling me what to keep on hand etc. Having had two preemies sick all the time, diaper rashes were a VERY normal occurance. He always told me to try the above and of course, if they didn't work to bring the kiddo in ASAP...something was causing the rash that had to be handled first before it would heal...

I hope this helps!!!
hugs and blessings
H.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Three words... Boudreauxs Butt Paste! I know you can buy it at Wal-Mart. This stuff is amazing!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Dallas on

Pure coconut oil also helps clear up diaper rash.
I would second the other mom's suggestion about his diet.

My son had a similar diaper rash issue with other training pants and interestingly, pampers were the only ones he could wear. I would up potty training him to get out of the issue all together. Maybe you could try that, if he & you are up to it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.T.

answers from Dallas on

There's this amazing stuff at a pharmacy in McKinney that the pharmacist mixes up. Some sort of compound. It feels like extremely thick vaseline, but works AWESOME! It is $8 for a jar of it, but absolutely worth it.
Email me if you want the name of it and I can find it for you.
My DS has a milk allergy, so we have had our share of flare-ups. :(
Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Dallas on

Jeri,

One suggestion I have is to go COLD TURKEY on diapers if he's already in pullups. I potty trained my daughter in 2 1/2 days and part of the beginning process is that your child THROWS AWAY all remaining diapers and there is no going back. I never used pull-ups or any diapers during naptime or bedtime again.
I bought and downloaded the program from www.easypottytraining.com ! That is the only suggestion I have as to avoiding the pain of rashes for your son.

Best of luck,
K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Dallas on

...well, do you know anyone who can call you in some Silvadene? (generic is silver sulfadiazine, i think). it's a burn cream, but works WONDERS on severe diaper rash.

you know, you MIGHT be able to talk a pharmacist into gettin you some ... i had the doc at my last job give me a Rx and he couldn't believe it was still a Rx ... that it's so old and so harmless and so helpful that it SHOULD be over the counter.

sorry -- that's probably more info for the future than for right this second. we used dr. smith's, too. i even tried tiger balm from Whole Foods -- i'm sure it didn't hurt, but it didn't seem to help.

you know air-drying is the best -- washing w/a warm, soapy washcloth instead of a wipe and using the hair dryer on their buns.

i also heard that anti-fungals work, too. my friend, who is not a quack of a mother, used (on advice of her doctor) athlete's foot cream. maybe her daughter's rash was of a different sort, but she said it was like a miracle.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.Y.

answers from Dallas on

just wanted to let you know...my daughter would develop blood red diaper rashes..and a lot of times soon after taking antibiotics...we learned it was actually a yeast infection and used an antifungal and it cleared up quick. It looked like a red swollen diaper rash.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter was also allergic to pull ups. I think the daycare let her wear them for too long and she developed a nasty red rash that was in the pattern of the entire pull up. It was terrible. The pediatrician's nurse practitioner said she was allergic to them and should never wear them.

The best thing I have found to help diaper rash is giving short warm water soaking baths--2 or 3 times a day...water seems to help heal, as long as you don't keep him in the water too long, maybe 5-10 minutes at a time...and don't add any soap.

As far as diaper rash cream goes...the best I have found is called Dyprotex...I've only found it at Walgreens. The daycare swore by it and they have so much experience in treating diaper rash, I tried it and it worked.

Getting lots of fresh air to the skin helps, too...but I know that's harder sometimes with a boy...maybe use thick cotton training underwear on your days off, with the expectation that they will get soiled and will need to be changed...but it would be a break from the synthetic fibers that irritate his skin. Good luck!

L.A.

answers from Dallas on

This may sound gross, but if you buy a couple of yards of fleece from a fabric store (it's really cheap this time of year too), cut it in the shape of the diaper lining and put it in the diaper (like how you would a menstrual pad). Fleece doesn't have to be sewn, and it is great at keeping moisture off of the skin and creates a barrier between his skin and the diaper. (It's some of the benefits of cloth diapering without having to go all the way).

A fleece lining along with all the other creams the other moms posted should help. In the meantime, let him run bare bottom to let his skin air out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.T.

answers from Dallas on

my oldest used to get terrible rashes. We found that having her sit in an oatmeal bath, like Aveeno worked wonders. It cleared it up and was soothing, plus she got extra baths, which she loved!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Dallas on

I had this problem also when my toddler was still potty training.. I would cake on the Johnson&Johnson 3and 1 diaper rash cream, and in one day the rash would be sooooooooooooo much better!!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Dallas on

Most diaper rash creams have common ingredients, so if he has a problem with one, he might also have a problem with most. I know that Aquaphor is simply a combo of lanolin and petroleum jelly (i.e. vaseline), so one mom's recommendation to use vaseline is a good idea. One of my kids is sensitive to lanolin, so we had a worse problem on our hands (and her bottom!) after the aquaphor.
Some really bad diaper rashes are from a yeast infection. Have you tried Lotrimin AF?

Also, if he only gets the rash in certain diapers or pull-ups, which aren't as absorbent as a regular diaper, I have to wonder if the problem isn't dietary and the rash is worse when his skin is in contact with his urine. The vaseline will help keep a barrier between him and the wetness.

Also you might try to eliminate common allergens or acidic foods and drinks for a while, then go back to the culprit diaper/pull-up and see what happens. Also, my son is allergic to bananas (the "B" in a brat diet).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Dallas on

I swear by hydrocortizone ointment and A&D ointment. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.R.

answers from Dallas on

If it is truly diaper rash and not an allergy I find that corn starch works great. Smear diaper cream on his bottom then pat with corn starch. Corn starch is wonderful at keeping the area dry while it is trying to heal. Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.O.

answers from Dallas on

Try just plain old baby powder (the one with cornstarch not talc) and Vaseline (petroleum jelly). Put the powder on first, then the Vaseline. Our nurse practitioner told us to use this when my little one had a rash so bad he was bleeding. It worked like a charm! It's all I use now. You can even get Vaseline in a tube now.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Dallas on

Definitely see your pediatrician asap; your son must have either an allergic reaction to the fragrances in those products or there's some other issue. What does he bathe in? What laundry soap do you use? What about his diet--any particular foods tend to set this off? You'll need to arm yourself with this info to get to the culprit. Your dr. will probably give you a prescription cream, but ask about using Lotrimin cream, too. It worked miracles when my daughter had a severe diaper rash that nothing seemed to help.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Boudreaux's Butt Paste( I get mine a wal-mart) is a great product the ingredients are zinc oxide, boric acid, castor oil, mineral oil, paraffin, Peruvian balsam, and petrolatum. So if these are not allergy triggers for your son I would give it a try. Also if the rash becomes open sores you would want to ask for Bactroban it's an antibacterial ointment from your doctor (need a scrip). It will help to make sure the sores do not get infected from urine and feces.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Are you sure it's diaper rash? It may be an allergy. I would suggest benedryl. Children's benedryl shouldn't hurt him and if it clears up faster, your son may have a latex or other allergy to the products used in Pampers. I only mention this because it seems that you have found that he has reactions to one specific brand and you have mentioned other products that cause issues.

I am personally allergic to latex. It affects your soft tissue regions faster than anything else. This means the genitals and oral areas. Which means you have to warn both doctors and dentists about the allergy. My mother had to use cloth diapers on me since they didn't have alternatives then. That and she had no idea that anyone could be allergic to latex when I was born (35 years ago). I have done research for my baby to make sure they have things without latex for her. Latex allergies are serious and get worse with each introduction of the product. So be aware of that also.

Good luck!

Jodi

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.D.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter had extremely sensitive skin and I found that the key to clearing up diaper rash quickly was to blow dry her bottom with warm or cool air BEFORE applying barrier cream. The idea of barrier cream is to lock the moisture out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.W.

answers from Dallas on

I know many have chimed in and I didnt' read the posts, so I hope I am not being redundant. Go to your local Feed store and get a jar of BAG BALM. This is used to soften and protect the udders of a cow. I know that sounds strange, but my pediatrician suggessted it years ago for my oldest and it works wonders. It is a great precautionary measure as well. For instance when you are taking a long road trip and you're not certain when you can pull over and change a diaper, the bag balm acts as a protectant not allowing anything to penetrate the child's skin. I LIVED by this stuff when mine were little.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches