How to treat diaper rash: Medications, home remedies, and more

Babies can develop a diaper rash for many reasons. Diaper rash may occur when a baby wears a soiled diaper for too long or if their skin is not fully dry after changing, leading to irritation. However, this is not the only reason for diaper rash.

Diaper rash is common in babies. It typically goes away with home remedies and by using topical pastes that can help the skin heal. However, without treatment, diaper rash can cause wounds in the skin that may increase the risk of developing bacterial or yeast infections.

These can cause several symptoms, including fever, and they may need medical attention.

How to treat diaper rash

Treating diaper rash focuses on healing and preventing the rash from returning. You can usually do this with some home remedies and the use of emollients and other topical medications that can help restore the skin, reducing irritation and preventing further skin damage.

You can find over-the-counter ointments and pastes to treat diaper rash at your local pharmacy or store. If you have concerns, a doctor or pharmacist can recommend the most appropriate ointment.

Medications

One of the most common treatments for diaper rash is applying ointments or pastes containing zinc oxide on the affected area. These may be available over the counter (OTC) under several different brand names and different formulations.

Before applying the ointment, make sure the baby’s skin is completely dry and clean.

However, the treatment of diaper rash can vary depending on the root cause of the skin irritation. In some cases, the rash may develop if the skin is too dry, and using a moisturizer for sensitive skin may help improve the rash. However, this is a very uncommon cause.

If the baby develops a skin infection, the doctor may prescribe:

• antibiotics like mupirocin (Bactroban)
• antifungal creams like clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
• other medications to treat the infection, help heal the skin, and reduce the risk of further health complications like hydrocortisone (Cortef)

————-

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.

Home remedies

Several home remedies can help improve the irritation and the other symptoms that a diaper rash can cause, including:

• keeping the skin appropriately dry
• letting the baby spend time without wearing a diaper when possible
• checking the diaper frequently and changing it as soon as it is soiled or wet
• keeping the diaper area clean with warm water
• avoiding the use of baby wipes and soap on the areas where the diaper rash developed

When to contact a doctor

Consider speaking with a doctor if you have any concerns about the baby’s health or if they have a diaper rash and experience one or more of the following:

• a diaper rash that does not improve with treatment after several days
• open sores, pimples, or blisters in the diaper area
• pus draining out of the diaper rash
• diarrhea with a fever
• they appear dehydrated
• a fever of 100.4°F or higher
• they appear very uncomfortable or are in distress

What causes diaper rash?

Diaper rash is common in babies, and it can occur for many reasons. Some of the causes of a diaper rash may include:

• the irritating effect of certain soaps
• wearing a soiled diaper for too long
• ammonia rash, caused by the combination of chemicals in urine and stool
• diarrhea rash, occurring when wearing a diaper soiled with diarrhea stools for too long
• bacterial secondary infections
• yeast secondary infections
• cellulitis, which is a serious condition that occurs when a bacterial infection gets into the skin
• Staph scalded skin syndrome, a serious condition that develops due to Staphylococcus bacteria, causing widespread blistering and skin discoloration

Some ways you can help prevent diaper rash include:

• aiming to change the baby’s diaper as soon as it is wet or soiled
• using only fragrance-free baby wipes
• applying diaper paste or ointment at every change
• making sure the baby’s skin is completely dry before they wear a new diaper
• washing cloth diapers with dye- and fragrance-free detergent and avoiding fabric softener

Summary

Diaper rash is a common condition that often occurs in babies when they wear a diaper, causing skin irritation, discoloration, and skin wounds in the more severe cases. Mild cases of diaper rash can quickly improve with home remedies and topical ointments containing zinc oxide.

A yeast infection is a common cause of diaper rash and usually needs treatment with an antifungal ointment. A bacterial infection may occasionally lead to a diaper rash. If a bacterial infection is causing the rash, the baby may have symptoms like fever, blisters, or pus coming out of the skin sores.

Contact a doctor if you notice any signs of a bacterial infection, the baby appears distressed, the diaper rash does not improve after a few days of home treatment, or you have any concerns about their health.

—————

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.