Difficult Diaper Rash???

Question

MY daughter has a rash of some kind. she is 14 months. Doctor first gave a anti-fungal over the phone. Didn't go away. Then he saw her and said it was a reaction to acid such as from apple juice ( which she doesn't drink) but does have a lot of citric acid in her foods I've noticed. so he prescribed a anti-inflamatory, and an acid reducer both in cream form. we did that exactly as directed.
still no success. we went back, and he gave a different anti-fungal.
nothing is working so far. we air her bottom out as often as possible.

The rash looks like bumps that are raised, almost like a bad acne problem. it is around the anus a lot, and the texture can be felt through a wipe.

I am thinking possibly a food alergy of some kind, so we are limiting her to just formula, and baby jar foods.

she is lactose intolerant, and is on soy formula ( and has been for some time)

any other ideas?

-nervous dad.

Answer 1

I would stop using wipes for a few days and just use a towel or something w/ just water,my son used to get the same kind of rash when drank certain juices.The doctor prescribed an ointment call Nystatin I believe that's what it was called and it worked great!

Answer 2

I agree with ditching the wipes. They contain alcohol and and frangrances and could be the cause of the reaction themselves. Use Viva papertowels and warm water. Omit anything with fragrance and try using Aveeno for bathing.
Nystatin is a prescription anti-fungal cream and you have already been that route. However, if this is a resistant yeast rash oral anti-fungals may be in order for a few weeks. But they cause tummy upset.
A&D Ointment with zinc may help. If it is a severe diaper rash reaction to acid-Crisco works great. Sounds weird but solid Crisco keeps all moisture off the skin. It's a great barrier ointment. I used to work in a Pediatric practice in a teaching hospital and the docs recommended it when all else failed.
You can also ask your doctor is hydrocortisone and/or Benadryl creams are appropriate.
If you can, leave her diaper off for periods to allow the area to dry.

If these things don't work in a couple of days schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who works with this type of skin disorder. In other words not a cosmetic dermatologist that just does Botox and facials. Someone who specializes in children. Don't delay more than a week before seeking another medical opinion.

Answer 3

Try using Polysporin cream or ointment. The one made for kid's is great as it has xylocaine in it - it helps numb any pain/discomfort.
Also, if you suspect it may be a yeast infection , use Tinactin or one of the other anti-fungal foot creams. Believe it or not but I found these to work as well or better than most of the prescriptions we'd get from the doctor.
Plus they're fairly cheap and easy to find. And you don't have to wait for a prescription at 1 am when the baby is screaming in pain!

Have you tried switching diaper brands? Some children have or develop an allergy to some of the materials/gels in the diapers. My husband was one such kid.

When you bathe her do you use unscented products? Hypoallergenic? Don't use bubble bath either until she's older. All of these could cause rashes - sometimes only in sensitive areas like the bottom.

Answer 4

To me, it sounds like a yeast infection, even though the anti-fungal didn't work (WHICH WHAT THE ANTI-FUNGAL WOULD TREAT CONTRARTY TO THE OTHER COMMENTER)

However it also sounds like an allergic reaction. I would (but do what you think is right obviously):

Treat for yeast.

Treat her bottom with Grapefruit Seed Extract (available at healthfood stores - ask how much to dilute it)

Everyone in the family should take Acidophilus. For her you are going to have to find the LACTOSE free ones, they exist. But it is important to check.

Wash dishes in the hottest water possible, boil what you can. (Particularly her cups, sippy cups, and pacifiers -if used)

Wash toys daily (I know ok, but this is gettting out of hand), if a toy can not be washed wipe it down with Grapefruit Seed Extract.

When you do laundry put 1/2 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle. This will help kill yeast.



Further reduce her diet for 1 week. Formula + one veg or two veg (for the whole week, not per day. Pick what she likes and you are relatively sure she doesn't react to) + 1 meat (lamb or turkey would be best, they tend to be no allergenic). No fruit (sugar and fruit can be bad for yeast, also the acid may be causing the rash). She will do fine without carbs for a week.

If things aren't A LOT better in one week of that. Go back to the doctor and demand to see a dermatologist AND an allergy specialist. Though allergy tests are not 100% accurate they can be done at 5 months and over.

Answer 5

You say that it looks like acne, so are there white heads on the bumps? If so, this could be a yeast infection. The anti-fungal wouldn't help that, you would need a cream from the doctor called Nystatin (not sure on the spelling). My son had the same thing and it proved to be yeast. The warm moist skin provides a great place for yeast to live. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

The doctor was right when he said it's from citric acid - just limit everything with it ( unfortunately friuts too) for few days, it'll go away. My daughter has it too. Dyprotex diaper rash ointment helps too. When it's gone, start adding friut and anything with acid VERY slowly into her diet, so she can get used to it. Avoid oranges, strawberry and anything with lemon completely (wait when she's older she'll be able to handle it better) and change her diaper as soon as it's soiled.

p.s. and let her run naked at home, the air will help a lot also.

Answer 7

My Daughter is also 14 months! There has been a couple times when she has gotten a diaper rash that nothing seem to get rid of. It doesn't matter how many times I change her or make sure she is completely dry, it still won't go away. After many tried and failed attempts, the only product that I have discovered to work is quite simply vaseline. Nothing fancy just good old fashion petroleum jelly. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Petroleum jelly is a good home remedy for any diaper rash. The diaper rash just goes away hours after.

You can also apply Desitin (Zinc Oxide) to the affected area. There are 2 kinds of these Desitins: the prevention and cure ointments.

Answer 9

I know how you feel hon. I would switch to nonsented or sensitive skin wipes. They have something called Boudreaux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment
which is really good. Then maybe cut all acidic food from her diet till it goes away.

Answer 10

Try Boudreauxs Butt Paste. It is the best for the diffucult rashes that Balmex and A&D and Desitin cant help. Found at Wal- mart or online. Heres the link
http://www.buttpaste.com/