Diaper Rash That Won't Go Away!

Updated on March 20, 2009
K.P. asks from Overland Park, KS
41 answers

My 23 month old little girl has had a bad diaper rash for about 2 months now. It all started in Dec. when she battled diarrhea for about 3 weeks. I can understand having a diaper rash then but now I can't get it to go away. She has tiny little dots all over and in some places little clusters of dots. It is very red, but not raw looking. We are also working on potty training so she is wearing pull-ups most of the time. The problem with these are that she is so thin that they sag so low and rub her legs so badly they also cause a rash. I have used every type of cream/ointment/lotion. It gets a little better over night while she sleeps but by the end of the next day it is bad again. I have also tried cotton training pants (on a Sat. when we weren't working) and she peed on our couch so we have not gone back to that yet. As far as potty training goes it has to be her decision or she will put up a fight and not do it. When she does go she goes easily with no problems, even in public places.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated!

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So What Happened?

Wow! What great response! I am doing many of the things all of you suggested and I called my doctor. She called in a prescription for some cream for me. She told me to rotate using the prescription cream with other diaper creams. Hopefully this will help it clear up over the weekend! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your help and support! Maybe I will put her in undies over the weekend and get her potty trained too, ha ha! I won't push it though. Thanks again!

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C.S.

answers from Lawrence on

Hey K. did you every try Melagel and Renew? Many moms use that combination and it works wonders...just let me know and I can tell you how to get these "green" products too :) Also have some testimonies I can share too :)

Cindy
Work At Home United
www.2abetterlife.com

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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Try putting diaper rash cream on her after every change. That is what I did for my daughter after her first bad rash and it helped she didn't get anymore.

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C.W.

answers from Kansas City on

It sounds like it might be more of a yeast infection; very common (just like jock itch, athlete's foot, etc, all skin that stays a little too moist, as is the case with a child in diapers or pull ups, is subject to yeast / fungal growth). Just use an anti-fungal such as clotrimazole, which you can use in conjunction with a good diaper rash cream.

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J.C.

answers from St. Louis on

It very easily could be a yeast infectin, which they will treat with Nystatin ointment or similar. You can also feed her the yogurt with activated cultures (if she likes yogurt), this helps a bunch

2 moms found this helpful

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

lotrimin used for athletes foot is over the counter and it is the same as used to be prescribed before it was made for over the counter. It definitely sounds like a yeast infection.

Best procedure I've found.. Rinse all wet ones with water to get the soap out. Rinse her carefully in plain warm water when there is dirty in her pants. When it's just wet, pat her clean and gentle like with the plain wet ones. Pat her dry or dry her with a COOL hair dryer. Then put the lotrimin on and then put on a thick diaper cream on top of that. It will not hurt to do it with every diaper change. It will just be more expensive.

Suzi

2 moms found this helpful
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G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

Warm baking soda baths, and not sure if you tried it, but I always used A&D ointment and it worked wonders on my son, also baby powder with cornstarch. Have her soak in the bath for 20mins, pat her butt dry, put on the A&D ointment and pack it on pretty thick. It acts as a water barrier and should clear her up in a few days.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

It sounds like it could be a yeast infection. My son had that when he was a baby and it sounds similar to what he had. I'd take her to the doctor to be sure, also try the baking soda bath, and let her run bare bottemed. You might have to clean up a few little messes, but the air will really help dry things up.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi K.,
This will be a short response because I am running out the door soon but didn't want to forget to respond...
Any time my son has a diaper rash we immediately start using Wipes with Aloe which seem to be so much more soothing for him! Also we go back and forth from AD&D and Creamy Des.
The biggest thing I find to cause the rashes is something he has eaten new... so you may want to start cutting this or that, that she eats back that you think could be causing it. My son can't eat any sort of blueberry anything w/o a diaper rash coming on but can eat strawberries, cranberries and raisins just fine.
Hope that helps some!
Take care; hope your sweet little one gets better!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Wichita on

I agree. It's probably yeast, which most medical doctors know little about. Her good intestinal bacteria has probably been depleted. You must restore that to keep the yeast under control. At the health food store, you can buy Primadophilus Jr. for kids. The capsules can be opened up and sprinkled in food, like yogurt, and she'll never know she's eating it. And a topical anti-fungal cream for the rash can increase her comfort level while the good bacteria in her intestinal tract is being restored. Limiting her intake of sugar, which feeds the yeast, can help too.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.Z.

answers from Wichita on

I would take her into the dr!! Its probally a yaest infection

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning K., I am not sure what causes this one either. Zane our 15 mo old gr son is having the same problem. We got his eczema cleared up with Aquaphor ointment, and at first it did great on his hinny too. He scratched his little hinny so much the other day his diaper looked like he had bloody BM. Was awful. Put him in the bath and his little hinny was covered in scratch marks and red rash. SO far Genné has used destine looks some better.

Zane's skin seems to be a lot more sensitive then any of our other gr children. They put up a humidifier and it helps his eczema. We can't use the Aquaphor as much now as it (We think anyway)clogged some pores and he had Huge pimple / boil like places on his back and side. One on his back was as large as my thumb pad, raised & hard.. It did bust in the bath and drained. Nasty
We had taken him to his Ped with small pustules on his groin area before, they did a culture, said if anything serious they would call. But bring him back if they get worse or he gets more. Well after 3 trips, and same O same O inf... We're treating with neosporin and antibiotic band aides. These dang things leave holes and scars on him.

Maybe a baking soda bath would help your little angel.
We have tried so many thing K. for Zane's diaper rash, can't think of anything we haven't tired.

Hope you have a better Ped and get alot better inf.

God Bless and Good Luck
K. Nana of 5

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

since it sounds like she's kind of fighting the potty training thing (i'm right there with ya sister!) maybe it'd be okay to back off on that and get the diaper rash taken care of? my son went through the same thing around this age (although he was not potty training yet), and we had to shower his lil bum off after every poopie diaper because it was so sore. so what we ended up doing was using desitin and cornstarch baby powder at every diaper change. i layered it on THICK too. especially at night. it was the only thing that cleared his up. (incidentally, we cut juice out of his diet completely, after he had basically chronic diaper rash for almost a month, and he hasn't had it once since. we supplement with fruits/veggies and multivitamins). it does sound like a possible yeast infection, due to the "bumps" you're describing. you might take her in if it doesn't start getting better in a day or two. good luck, hope she is better soon!

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A.A.

answers from Kansas City on

Has she seen ped? make sure it's not yeast? Try blow drying her bottom after every change. If it's not yeast, try Dr Smith's cream - you can only get it at HyVee. My son 6 mon - just had the same thing. It's finally going away....w/ the Dr Smiths. Also, don't use wipes. Washcloths & warm water.

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R.J.

answers from Wichita on

It sounds to me like a yeast rash. If you want to try an over the counter remedy, get some plain yogurt. You put it on just like a diaper rash cream, and within a day you should see some improvement -- depending on the severity it could be gone in a couple of days! It will help to balance out the good and bad bacteria.

As a side note, when she had the diarrhea, did she get put on antibiotics? Not that this is the only way that a yeast rash can come to be, but it is the most common that I have heard of.

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Z.P.

answers from Kansas City on

K. P: Try Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream for the diaper rash. Apply thickly at night, it has healing properties and seals out the wetness so the rash can heal. Use it more sparingly during the day. Good luck, i know diaper rash isn't fun for anyone.

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V.L.

answers from Kansas City on

Someone asked this question recently. YOu might see if you can find the responses. My suggestion was Dr. Smith's diaper rash ointment. I used it with all 3 of my children, at the recommendation of a pharmacist friend. It is the
best and works right away.

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A.H.

answers from St. Louis on

My daughter had something similar that I thought was a diaper rash that wouldn't go away. It turned out to be a yeast/bacteria infection. I believe the pediatrician told us to use Lotrimin (an over the counter cream) that will get rid of it...it did the trick.

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A.B.

answers from St. Louis on

My son went through the same thing. Does she drink alot of whole milk? I know some kids can develop a milk allergy even if they have been drinking it for a while. I tried switching to soy milk and my son's rash went away. I also dillute EVERYTHING he drinks. This has helped so much. Good luck!

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M.E.

answers from Kansas City on

It could be a rash caused by yeast which is pretty common in children. If that is the case then over the counter Lotrimin or prescription Nystatin ointment would clear it right up in a few days. Also probiotic is wonderful and can be purchased at places such as Whole Foods and Natures Pantry. It is good bacteria that your body needs with no harmful side effects. It comes in a powder form and only takes a small amount. Just mix it with regular milk, soy milk, formula or any beverage of your choice, it is pretty tasteless. Goodluck!!!

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L.Y.

answers from Springfield on

I always used Super Dooper Diaper Doo on my girl. Cleared up in just a few days. Formulated by pediatrican.

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

She may have a yeast infection(they don't always occur in the vagina)I would take her in since it has been on going and not getting better.She may need a RX to help heal it or over the counter Monistat

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J.H.

answers from St. Louis on

My son had a terrible rash that wouldn;t go away, I ended taking him to the Dr. and it turned out it was a yeast type infection in his skin. They prescribed some medicine and if I'm not mistaken they gave him oral medication as well. It sounds like it might be time for a visit to the Dr. for your child as well. They also had me stop using wipes and start using paper towels and warm water to clean him and to dry him completly before diapering him again.

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M.T.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi K.,
I have a 4 year old who has a similar rash almost all the time, her Doctor said I will just need to constantly put a Yeast infection cream on it at night to keep it under control, it is from her not wiping good enough after she uses the restroom. I bought the Monistat 7 day cream and you just put it on like diaper rash ointment only it usually makes the rash go away in a couple days. Just make sure you get the ointment not the inserts. Good luck, I know my daughter always tells me it hurts, so hopefully you get it cleared up fast.
M.

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

When my daughter was a tiny baby she was allergic to the diapers we used. Once we switch brands she cleared up immediately. Try using another brand. We ended up having to buy the more expensive diapers but we weren't spending a lot of money on creams, powders and lotion.

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A.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My advice is go to your doctors. I was not aware of this till my friend told me but if a rash last for more then 2 or 3 weeks you should go to the doctors. Her little girl just had a yeast rash so it was easily cleared up with the right medication. Good luck!!

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M.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Go to wal-mart, look by the creams, I cant remember what its called...something paste..kind of a funny title like butt paste or something along those lines. It's thick and seems like you wouldn't have to use much at one time but if you put a thick coat on it soaks up. My neice had a real bad diaper rash to the point where her but was bleeding and it worked wonders!

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M.S.

answers from Lawrence on

Have you tried Resinol? It is a skin cream that has worked wonders for us. Often you have to ask at the pharmacy it is sometimes behind the counter although not a prescription. It was suggested by my doctor when my son had a horrible case that wasn't getting better with normal creams. You might try a different brand of pull up she may be irritated by that brand. Good Luck

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R.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Old trick, hair drier. After you clean the rash use a hair drier to dry the bottom. Make sure you have a hair drier with a warm setting. You don't want burn or send chills. Then put on your diaper creams. It worked for me 18&14 years ago.

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B.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Have you checked to make sure it isn't a yeast infection?

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L.F.

answers from Kansas City on

I think I'd put the potty training on the back burner for another week or longer until you can get the rash cleared up. Best thing...when you can...is to let her run around without anything on and that allows air to get down there. Also, I'd stop using the pull-ups and go back to diapers for a while...it could be the brand of pull-ups you switched to that is still causing irritation. I always had luck with A&D Ointment but the secret is to put it on after your positive the skin has dried after wiping it off and then glob it on...not just a thin layer but use thicker smear and then put some Johnson's Baby Powder with Cornstarch on top. Good thing is that most babies will outgrow the diaper rash stuff but little girls then have to contend with redness from not wiping so well as they're learning to potty train.

And, congrats on getting to stay home full time after you have the next one in March. It is truly a blessing! Take care!

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T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

First of all the lady who said put yogurt on it, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to eat the yogurt for the active cultures in the stomach. Then I'd like to say that frequent baths and Butt Paste will probably clear it up, I have 3 kids and 6 grandkids and after using every product on the market we've found that Butt Paste will always clear it up fast!

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M.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I did read through all your responses but to me it sounds like your daughter has a yeast diaper rash. I have 4 children and 2 of them have had this before. Call your pediatrician, they may want to see her but I bet if you describe the rash to them they will say the same thing. They will need to send you a prescription to get rid of the rash, it will not go away on its own.

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B.C.

answers from Joplin on

Diaper rashes usually only last 2 to 5 days if being treated, the problem may not be "diaper rash" but may actually be a yeast infection.
A little one in my care Just went to the Ped yesterday and said it was "safe" to buy an OTC product for women ( like monostat ) and apply to the diaper area the same way you would any other diaper ointment. Sounded a little strange to me, but then I have a niece who went through a ton of yeast infections as a baby. If you can trace back the begining of the rash to her being on an antibiotic that would almost be a gaurantee that it was a yeast infection. Not sure why but lots of babys, girls and women will develope a yeast infection after taking antibiotics.
If it is not a yeast infection then if you go back to the pharmacy ( I am pretty sure they keep it behind the counter) there is a product sold in a tube called Calmoseptine...apply it Liberally ( we referred to my niece as cake butt...because we Caked it on ) you should see results Very fast. It is thick, smells kind of mediciney and is light pink.
Lots of luck!
B.

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S.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Ask your doctor is he can give you something. When my oldest was about a year old she got a diaper rash that wouldn't go away and like you we tried everything. Our doctor gave us a precription cream that made the red go away almost immidetly. You could put it on her and watch the red go away and the whole rash was gone with in 3 days. I don't remember the name of it (it was 6 years ago), but call you doctor and see if they can help you out.

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S.H.

answers from Wichita on

My poor daughter had the same problem. I was a new mom so I didnt realize that babies could get yeast infections so I was like, "why wont this dang diaper rash go away?!?!" Turns out it was indeed a yeast infection and yes babies can get them! I was amazed! You may take her to the doctor and have him/her look at it. I was able to just call mine and she called my daughter in some ointment that cleared it up just like that! Good luck! Poor babies, its just heartbreaking to watch them in pain like that and not be able to do anything for them. Also, Ive been told that putting some apple vinegar in the bath water with them is supposed to help. Im sorry I dont know how much to use or if it works but I bet you can find it online! Good luck!

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L.W.

answers from St. Louis on

What about using the cotton underware then putting the plastic pants over it. I know that they make some for just the purpose of potty training. I think I saw them at either Wal-Mart or Babies R Us. Just a thought to help to may be get her out of the pull ups if that is what is causing the rash and that it is not an allergic reaction to the brand that you are using or it is not a yeast infection. Hope she gets better soon.
L.

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K.K.

answers from St. Louis on

my son has horribly sensitive skin and I have tried almost everything. One thing that has helped so much is Baby Aquaphor - it is like Vasaline but thicker. I switch off each diaper with that and powder and it has helped sooo much. Dont buy it from Babies R Us - very expensive $9 for a small bottle, but you can get it at Target or Wal-Mart cheaper, like $6 for the same size.

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D.F.

answers from St. Louis on

I know everyone's seems to be leaning toward yeast infections. However both my older daughter had a similar problem. It turned out to be a allergic reatiion to dissposable diapers. Once I switched to cloth no more rash and they both pottey trained very quickly (little ones find it gross to feel wet). I do have four children and the younger two stayed in dis. diapers with no reactions. Good luck.

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A.D.

answers from Springfield on

this sounds like a yeast infection diaper rash. the little red dots clued me in. call your pediatritions office and talk to the nurse. they might be able to prescribe med. over the phone. usually nistatin cream. good luck

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J.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I would try maybe another type of pullups. All i use is pampers. They do cost more but they hold alot better then the other ones. Also i no you said you have tryed all kinds of creams but i was going to give you the name of one the one i use. It is awesome you may of already used it i don't no.it is aveeno baby it has soothing oat essence and natural willowherb in it.i would try that and see if it clears up. She could be having a bad reaction to the pull ups.i hope this helps up.good luck

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

she might be allergic to the pullups, maybe try a different brand?

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