Diaper Rash/Diarrhea Question?

Question

My baby recently had some minor illness which cause him to have diarrhea, it stopped for about a week and has now came back. I took him to the doctor before because he had some blood in his stool, but now it's plain regular diarrhea, he's got diaper rash really bad and the nurse at the doctors office doesn't seem to care? What can I do to atleast try and help the diaper rash, you can tell it hurts him? (also, he's nor dehydrated from the diarrhea and it seems to come and go, but he's going like 4 or 5 times a day - not always diarrhea-- when it use to be once or twice a day) HELPP!

Answer 1

Poor little guy! :( Could be that he may have picked up Rotovirus (aka Daycare Diarrhea). It's fairly common in little ones and it's a virus that has to run its course.

What you can do is make sure his little hind end is kept as dry as possible :


Diaper Rash

Home Treatment


Home treatment is usually all that is needed for most cases of diaper rash. At the first sign of a diaper rash, try the following steps.

Decrease skin wetness and minimize skin contact with urine and stool.
Change the diaper or incontinence brief frequently, at least 8 times every 24 hours.
Use a superabsorbent disposable diaper.
Gently wash the diaper area with warm water and a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Do not use any soap unless the area is very soiled. Use only a mild soap if soap is needed.
Do not use "baby wipes" that contain alcohol or propylene glycol to clean the skin while a diaper rash is present. These may burn the skin and spread bacteria on the skin.
You may use a blow-dryer set on warm setting to get the diaper area fully dry on adults. Do not use a blow dryer on babies or small children.
Leave diapers and incontinence briefs off as much as possible.
Protect the healthy skin near the rash with a cream such as Desitin, Diaparene, A&D Ointment, or zinc oxide. Do not apply the cream to broken skin, because it can slow the healing process.
If you use a disposable product, fold the plastic area away from the body, and do not put the diaper on too tightly. Avoid bulky or many-layered diapers or incontinence briefs.
Avoid using plastic pants until the rash is gone.
Increase fluid intake to make the urine less concentrated. Cranberry juice may be used by adults and children over 12 months of age. Do not use other juices, which may make the urine more irritating to the skin.

Answer 2

Try changing the brand of diaper you are using. If you are using Pampers or Luvs you need to change these, because they have perfumes and alcohol in them. I'm not sure about the other brands, so just be really careful for awhile when you buy the diapers. You might want to try Tushies diapers or Seventh Generation Diapers until the rash has healed. Make sure to bathe you baby everyday. When you change is diaper make sure that you do not use any diaper wipes. Use only warm water and Cotton balls, or I used Kleenex that were unscented with a diaper rash spray that I got from the health food store. On top of that, I got some 100% Corn Starch from the baking isle in the store. The corn starch they sell in in the baby powder bottle has chemicals in it. Put some Vaseline on the baby's bottom first then put the corn starch on.

I would definitely get you son looked at by a doctor A.S.A.P. Take him to the ER if you have to.

Answer 3

My first suggestion would be to try an over the counter yeast infection cream that is generally used for vaginal yeast infections, like monistat or mycelex, but the generic will do just as well. I had the problem with all of mine. Turned out it was a yeast infection from the frequent moisture along with the yeast naturally occuring in the bowels. Just put some on and rub it in really good about 4 times a day. You can't get too much. My doctor gave me this advice with my first child. Ever since then, if a regular diaper cream didnt't make a significant improvement with one or two diaper changes, I went straight for the yeast infection cream. It worked every time. Good luck.

Answer 4

Use some Desitin cream at every diaper change. Also, leave his diaper off for a little while each day so he can "air out." He may pee or poop during this time but it'll really help. Just 10-15 min. And don't put a new diaper on until he is dry from using wipes and what not. Babies get diaper rash because their little bums are always trapped in a diaper. ALso, change his diaper every 2 hours, no matter how dirty it is, to limit how much moisture is constantly on his butt.

Answer 5

I use nothing but A+D Ointment. All of my kids were allergic to Zinc Oxide the main ingredient in Desitin and all those white cream ointments. A+D works within hours for me and if you try it it would probably do the same for you. Also, do not use wipes at this time it will make it worse, instead try using a soft cloth with warm water or better yet, wash the baby in a sink or tub in plain clear warm water (NO soap), it will really start to clear up after a day or so! Trust me my sn had a rash like that, one I did not want to even touch because it was RED and BLEEDING and looked like it burned and hurt, but no matter how he cried, I put on the A+D and it started to clear up by the next diaper change, take my advice A+D Ointment, the yellow box, not the blue box!

Answer 6

To help the diarrhea, his little system needs a break. Only give him breastmilk or formula for a couple days so that his system can rest and recooperate. I would also suggest acidophollis to restore the natural bacteria in his system. (assuming that your baby is over 6 months) You can buy the liquid form at healthfood stores. Double check with the nutritionist on staff, but I'm pretty sure it's 100% safe. A thick barrier cream that will keep the moisture off his skin will help the diaper rash. I would suggest something with zinc in it such as Penaten, or Zincofax. All the best to you.

Answer 7

Try a different doctor. My baby had really bad nappy rash at about 4 months from diarrhea, so the doctor gave her 2 creams together. One was a sterroid for removing the germ and the other was a skin one to clear up what was already there. It worked in about 2 days and she hasn't had nappy rash since. There are things that can be done too... Always put powder on when changing nappies, try bathing twice a day... I know its hard, my baby turns 1 next weekend, but we haven't had nappy problems since I have been doing these things... Good luck and well done for seeking advice!!

Answer 8

I, from experience, will tell you to never underestimate the power of Vaseline.
If you use a diaper rash paste, they are harder to remove, and could trap bacteria from the diarrhea. Beef up the liquids (pedialite) and watch what you feed him. It could be possible he's having an allergic reaction to something he's eaten.
Let him air out as often as you can...I know with a boy that's easier said than done.
If you don't get the answers you want from your pediatrician, don't be afraid to fire him and move on. I've been known to do that, and my kids LOVE the Dr. we have now, and so do I!

Answer 9

The best thing ever is called BAG BALM, its in a green tin. CVS carries it if you ask at the pharmacy for it. Its not prescription but they keep it back there. It heals fast, my daughter had problems with diaper rash due to a medicine she was on and nothing would cure it. This stuff worked in 1 day. It was originally used on cows for chaffing but it has many other uses don't let that stop you. Go to the store and buy it now!

Answer 10

1. Slather his butt with diaper ointment before putting on a diaper. Butt Paste is good. Desitin is ok.
2. Let him air out for at least an hour a day, with no diaper. Place a waterproof matt on the floor, with a towel on top, and put him on it.
3. When you change diapers, don't use a wipe on the affected area. Rinse it clean with water and gently blot it dry.

edited to add - DON'T use powder. The talc in baby powders is bad for a baby's lungs.