How to Identify and Treat Different Types of Diaper Rash

Last Updated: December 3, 2022 References

Diaper rash can be caused by a variety of different factors, including wet or soiled diapers, heat, chafing, or even yeast. Our guide will show you how to spot the different types of diaper rashes, as well as how to treat and prevent them.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Observing Signs of Diaper Rash

1
Look for physical symptoms. Diaper rash presents as inflamed, red and tender skin in the areas covered by a diaper. It often appears on the butt, thighs, and genitals.^{[1]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} Other symptoms include:^{[2]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Warmth to the touch
- Red rash.^{[3]
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  FamilyDoctor.org
  Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors
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- Pimples, blisters, or other sores
2
Notice changes in your baby’s behavior. In addition to physical signs of a diaper rash, watch for behavioral signs. These include:^{[4]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Seeming uncomfortable, especially during diaper changes
- Fussing or crying when you touch the diaper area
- Crying when diaper area is cleaned. If you notice this, try wiping with just a water-dampened cloth rather than baby wipes, which can be irritating.
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3
Check for a bacterial or yeast infection. Look in the creases of your baby’s skin on their buttocks, thighs, and genitals. If you see red dots scattered around these areas, it might be a bacterial or yeast infection causing their diaper rash.^{[5]
X
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} The rash may present as red spots, similar in color to raw beef, that look inflamed. It may also have sharp, raised borders.^{[6]
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Research source}
- If your baby took antibiotics, they may have contracted a yeast infection. See your child’s doctor if home care doesn’t help the rash, as yeast is a fungus and special ointment may be warranted.^{[7]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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4
Detect a friction rash. The most common cause of diaper rash is friction from too-tight diapers or clothes.^{[8]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Look directly at your baby’s buttocks or the inner thighs for signs of a rash. Check under the elastic areas covered by the baby’s diaper. If the rash is concentrated in these area, friction may be a cause of the diaper rash.^{[9]
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Research source}
5
Examine for an irritant rash. Stool enzymes and irritants such as harsh soaps, baby wipes, detergents or topical medication can also cause diaper rash. These cases often occur on the exposed areas of skin such as on the round part of the buttocks. They generally don’t appear in skin folds and creases.^{[10]
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- Irritant rashes may also appear on other parts of the body exposed to these substances.^{[11]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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- Eliminate potential irritants one by one until you figure out which one is causing the diaper rash.
6
Recognize an allergic rash. A baby’s skin can be sensitive or allergic to things such as diapers, wipes, detergents, lotions, and foods.^{[12]
X
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} An allergy rash also generally presents on exposed areas. It looks like a poison oak rash.^{[13]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} These often have red, inflamed skin and bumps or blisters that itch.^{[14]
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Research source}
- Recognize that an allergic rash may occur in combination with an irritant rash.^{[15]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source} It may also appear on other parts of the body exposed to the allergen.^{[16]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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- This may also be contact dermatitis, a skin reaction to something your baby touched.
7
Identify intertrigo rash. Moist heat can cause a common form of diaper rash called intertrigo. This occurs in the deep folds of a baby’s skin. Intertrigo presents as thin-looking skin. It may even look like the skin has lost several layers.^{[17]
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- Intertrigo rashes can also occur on other parts of the body exposed to heat or moisture.^{[18]
  X
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source} This is especially true for sensitive skin under the chin.
- Miliaria, a type of prickly heat rash, can also present like diaper rash.
8
Watch for a seborrheic rash. If you detect a salmon-colored rash with greasy skin and yellowish scales, the child may have seborrheic rash.^{[19]
X
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} This type of diaper rash may be worse in skin folds or even appear on other parts of the body.^{[20]
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- A seborrheic rash may also indicate atopic dermatitis or Seborrheic dermatitis, or eczema in rare cases. These conditions usually affect areas other than the diaper area. Consult your child’s doctor if the rash doesn’t go away with home care.^{[21]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Relieving Diaper Rash at Home

1
Change soiled diapers as soon as possible. Diaper rash generally responds well to home treatment.^{[22]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Moist skin or exposure to fecal matter often causes diaper rash. Changing the baby’s diaper as soon as you notice it is soiled can relieve cases of diaper rash. It may also prevent future outbreaks.^{[23]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Avoid fastening the diaper too tightly. This can keep soiled parts close to the skin and make the diaper rash worse.^{[24]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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2
Keep the baby’s skin clean and dry. The best treatment for diaper rash is making sure the child’s skin is clean and dry. Gently wipe away any urine or fecal matter before putting on a new diaper.^{[25]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Clean the area with warm water and a soft washcloth or scent- and alcohol-free baby wipe.^{[26]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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- Pat the area dry to minimize further irritation.
3
Apply protective cream, paste, or ointment.^{[27]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Swipe a thin layer of a product such as zinc oxide, petroleum jelly, or diaper paste on the affected area. This can soothe the skin and protect it from further exposure to moisture and/or irritants.^{[28]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Ask your pharmacist or doctor for specific recommendations on protective creams. They may suggest A + D, Balmex, Desitin, or Triple Paste. Some may also recommend Lotrimin for a diaper rash caused by yeast.
- Try ointments made of witch hazel, calendula, or aloe vera. These can effectively soothe diaper rash and promote healing.^{[29]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Use products designed for babies. Avoid anything containing baking soda, boric acid, camphor, phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine, or salicylates. These ingredients may be toxic to babies.
- Wipe away the product as needed. This may be at every diaper change or once a day.^{[30]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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4
Increase airflow. Expose your baby’s skin to the air as much as possible. This could include letting them go without a diaper for short periods during the day and avoiding airtight plastic pants. This can treat diaper rash and prevent future outbreaks.^{[31]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Use a larger diaper than usual until the diaper rash disappears. This increases airflow to the baby’s skin.
- Avoid overdressing your baby in winter. Loosen their clothing when you are inside during this time of year to prevent irritation and keep moisture from developing.
5
Draw a daily bath. Give your baby a warm bath until the diaper rash clears. Wash them with a mild, fragrance-free soap. Lightly pat them dry. Increase airflow by letting the baby be naked for a few minutes after the bath.^{[32]
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Mayo Clinic
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6
Avoid irritants. Switch to different products if your baby’s diaper rash is a result of disagreeable diapers and wipes, detergents, or food. Keeping them out of the heat and can also help relieve and prevent diaper rash.^{[33]
X
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} It may take a few tries to figure out what specific irritant is causing the diaper rash.
- Use products that are labeled scent-, fragrance-, and dye-free.^{[34]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
7
Seek medical attention. In some cases, a baby may need medical treatment for diaper rash. Let the doctor know when the rash started and what you’ve done to treat it at home. Seek medical attention if your baby’s diaper rash:^{[35]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Go to source}
- Persists for three days or more
- Gets worse
- Is more red-dotted than solid, which can indicate a yeast infection
- Is accompanied by a fever
- Seems very painful
- Presents with blisters or pus-filled sores, which can indicate Impetigo.^{[36]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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  Go to source}
8
Follow the doctor’s instructions. Depending on the severity of the diaper rash, your doctor may prescribe different medications to treat it. Following any dosing and application instructions your doctor provides. Your doctor may prescribe the following for more severe cases of diaper rash:^{[37]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Hydrocortisone cream
- Antifungal cream for fungal and yeast infections
- Topical or oral antibiotics for bacterial infections
9
Relieve recurrent diaper rash. Some cases of diaper rash may keep coming back. The best way to figure out the reason is seeing your pediatrician, who can rule out more serious conditions such as a staph infection, malabsorption syndromes, or allergic contact dermatitis.^{[38]
X
Research source} The following may also help prevent or relieve recurrent diaper rash:
- Removing potential food allergens such as cow’s milk^{[39]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Trying scent-, alcohol-, and detergent free diapers, wipes, and cleansers^{[40]
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- Switching to natural fabric, breathable clothing that isn’t too tight
- Discontinuing use of baby powders or cornstarch on the affected area

Expert Q&A

Question

Can diaper rash cream cause a rash?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Possibly! If you use a diaper cream that has a fragrance or dye, it might trigger a rash. Check the label on your diaper rash cream to make sure it's fragrance-free, scent-free, and dye-free.