How do I treat very severe diaper rash in 14-month old?

Question

My son has had this very bad diaper rash on and off for the last two months. It gets so bad that it bleeds. It correlates with very frequent, soft stools. There are so many possible culprits for causes that we are overwhelmed and not certain how to help him. He is very uncomfortable and cries a great deal when it is bad. The area is restricted to just around his anus and is VERY bright red and terribly painful and sensitive. We have a prescription ointment that has a steroid and yeast infection treatment. It definitely helps a great deal and he usually is much better in the morning after having it on all night and no bowel movments during that time. However, while awake during the day the frequent bowel movements return (sometimes up to 3 times an hour) and the rash worsens. The bowel movments are very small and sticky. It is difficult to get him clean without causing him a lot of discomfort. Has anyone else experienced this? Do you know what was causing it? How and when did it stop?

I guess some of you didn't actually read all that i wrote. He is already being treated for a yeast infection with the ointment, also it is a prescription and he has been to the doctor twice for him to see the rash. The last time we were there he suggested it might be teething but that he couldn't be sure. Chick, your response may be what it turns out to be given all the other stuff we've tried and our doctors observations. 6-8 weeks, though it sounds like a long time, actually makes me feel better since I know it ended for someone else.

Answer 1

Sounds like an allergy.
Red rash just around the anus isn't due to the stool, or it would cover more of the buttocks. It is a sign of an allergy. Now you just need to figure out WHAT he is allergic to.

Introduce anything new around the time this started?

I have known a family that had to reintroduce solids to their 16 month old due to this problem. It's not easy, but it fixed the problem. They found out she was allergic to several things. Do some research on allergies, as this sounds like the most likely cause.

ETA:
I greatly suspect a dairy allergy. Try eliminating all dairy from his diet. (It can take 14-21 days to leave the system.) If the rash goes away you have to reintroduce dairy to make sure it is the cause. (I know it's horrible but it has to be done!) I've been through this with my oldest son (allergic to red dye) and AM goung through this currently with my youngest (eliminating and reintroducing foods from my diet as he is breastfeed--so far I can't have milk, chocolate, caffine, eggs, beans, citrus fruits, any carbonated beverage, tea or coffee (even decaf!!), I could go on! LOL)

Dairy is probably the cause. Did you also introduce peanut butter? Wheat? Soy? Eggs? Could be any of these.


Here is some info from a nutricinst and it does not include everything these allergies are included in.

Milk/Dairy
Avoid:
Artifical Butter Flavor
Butter, Butter Fat, Butter Oil
Casein
Caseinates
Cheese Curds
Custard
Ghee
Half & Half
Lactalbumin, Lactalbumin Phosphate
Lactoferrin
Lactulose
Milk
Nougat
Pudding Rennet Casein
Sour Cream, Sour Cream Solids
Whey
Yogurt

Milk may be present in:
Caramel Candies
Chocolate
Flavorings
High Protien Flour
Lactic Acid Starter Culture
Lactose
Luncheon Meat
Hot Dogs
Sausages
French Fries
Margarine
Non-Dairy Products

I have more lists llike this-if you would like--too much to post here.

If you need more assistance or have more questions feel free to email me by clicking on my avatar then on ‘Email Noggin Mama’ Please make sure to include your email address in the message or I will not be able to respond to your questions as the yahoo! answers message system limits the length of the message I can send and usually the info I have will not fit in the message.

HTH!

Answer 2

I am not sure as to what others have answered ( I did not read the responses to your question) but have you tried warm corn starch? My son, when he was about that age had a terrible stomach bug, where as he would have messy diapers several times within an hour and it did cause a terrible on going rash. I never used wipes during this time, just a warm baby wash cloth (the softer the better) along with the prescribed ointments from the doc I would load the diaper up with a ton of corn starch and change him all the time. After bath time I would let him go without a diaper for a while to let the rash get air, that helps dry it. I am really sorry you are going through this, there is nothing worse then your child hurting and not having too many solutions to help. I would just stay away from baby wipes, and the corn startch I would take a couple cups of it and put it in a baking dish; put in the oven just long enough for it to warm up (warming it will give some comfort) after putting the oinment on, then sprinkle the starch all over. I hope this helps a little bit, if not I do apologize. Good Luck.

Answer 3

How horrible for your baby! I've had a lot of experience with babies with diaper rash. The best cure I have found is Comfort Bath Shield made by Sage Products. It is in the inconstinent aisle. You can buy it at CVS, Eckards, Dominicks, Vons, Walgreens, and samsclub.com. They are very thick disposible wipes that leave a "shield" on the skin. It heals the skin very quickly and helps prevent the rash from coming back. I think it must feel good too because most babies I have used it on want me to use them. Another thing I have found to work really well is Triple Paste Medicated ointment by Summers Labs. You can buy this at Walgreens, Walmart, and CVS. You can use this over other medication such as the cream for yeast infections. This is very hard to get off though - which makes it a wonderful barrier. When using this I never use my fingers to apply it because it won't come off with soap and water.

Some main causes of diarrhea in a baby his age includes food intolerance, antibiotics, and viruses. Since it has lasted for a couple of months and began around the time he turned one (which is the age most babies are introduced to dairy and other new foods) I would guess that it has to do with food intolerance or too much juice. Try keeping a log of what he eats and drinks and see how it correlates to the frequent stools. Does he get it after a certain amount of milk, after eating strawberries, or after wheat products? If you can't find what is causing it consult with your doctor.

Also, you could try feeding him more of certain foods to help firm him up like bananas, applesauce, potatoes, crackers, and rice. Limit dairy products, citrus, and juice.

Answer 4

I teach preschool and in the daycare there is a 14 month old little boy going through the same thing there.

He is now on the BRAT diet to help minimize the soft stools during the day. This is bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.

They are trying to see if it could be an allergy now. Is your son in daycare? If so, could it be something that they are using at daycare and not at home? Maybe latex gloves? Or different wipes, cleaning products, etc.?

I would start eliminating certain foods from his diet and just keeping a detailed journal of EVERYTHING he is eating, drinking, wearing, etc. The more info the better...start one week and eliminate all dairy products, next week fruits, etc.

Don't forget to give him something for the pain such as tylenol.

I hope your little guy feels better soon! Good luck! SD

Answer 5

SEVEN WAYS TO PREVENT OR MINIMIZE DIAPER RASH
If your baby does not have a problem with diaper rash, then you don't need to be too strict with these preventative measures. However, if you are constantly battling rash, here are some helpful hints to minimize it:

Change diapers frequently - at least every two hours in newborns. You can space this out as baby starts to urinate less often.
Change poopy diapers right away - this is a lot of trouble at first since newborns often have small, frequent stools. This will slow down as baby grows.
Try different brands - if using disposables, another brand may fit a little better and cause less friction.
Rinse cloth diapers - add a half-cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. This helps remove alkaline irritants. Your diaper service can also do this.
Wipe well - be sure to wipe all the stool and urine away.
Use unscented wipes or just plain water - these are less irritating. You can even rinse out the wipes with water, although this takes more time.
Diaper rash cream - some lucky babies don't need any. More sensitive bottoms need cream with each new diaper. There are two basic types of barrier creams:
Petroleum ointment (Original A & D ointment) - this is an excellent preventative every-day ointment. It's less sticky and less messy.
White zinc oxide - this is thicker and may be better for babies who are more prone to rash.
FOUR WAYS TO TREAT DIAPER RASH FLARE-UPS
No matter how diligent you are with the above measures, your baby will still have a rash from time to time. Here are some tips to treating those rough spots:

Wash off bottom with water - don't wipe the sore areas. Instead, use a bulb syringe to gently wash baby's diaper area.
Gently dab or pat away any remaining stool. Blot baby's bottom dry.
Let it air out - leave the diaper off for a while, with no diaper cream on. Lay baby on a towel (with a waterproof pad underneath to catch accidents) with her bottom up. Do this as often as you can. This will help dry out the rash, which is important for the healing process.
Diaper cream - when you do put the diaper back on, use generous amounts of cream. Here are some suggestions:

Zinc oxide - for the moderate rash.
Acid mantle - this is a brand name sold in stores. It is outstanding for moderate diaper rashes. Can be used with zinc oxide over it.
Butt paste or Triple paste - there are a variety of creams that a pharmacist can mix up for you that contain a variety of ingredients. These are good for severe rashes. One brand that is already mixed is called Triple Paste. Ask your pharmacist for some. It is non-prescription. This cream may be difficult to find, but most pharmacies can order it from Summers Laboratories (1-800- 533-SKIN).
Clotrimazole anti-fungal cream - for stubborn rashes, yeast may be involved (see below). You can add this over-the-counter cream to help.
Hydrocortisone 1% cream - you can put this over-the-counter cream on twice a day beneath any of the other creams to help with severe rashes. It will help with the inflammation. Don't use this for more than several days at a time as long-term use can damage the sensitive skin in the diaper area.
Soothe and heal by Lansinoh. This pure lanolin ointment is excellent for soothing sore bottoms.
Mix your own - if you can't get a prescription, try mixing these together in the palm of your hand, then apply to baby's bottom:
Zinc oxide
White petroleum ointment
Acid mantle
Aluminum acetate (Burrow's solution)
If you cant find Acid Mantle, then use Lansinoh (a lanolin ointment). It is available in the diaper cream section of drug stores.

Answer 6

You can use Vaseline on every diaper change. it helps keep moister from settling on his skin. Also use your prescription cream as directed until rash is gone. then do the Vaseline. If your child has been on antibiotics, this can cause a yeast rash. nothing but a yeast cream will take it away. You may need to take him back to the doctor for a stronger cream. The expiration may be up on that cream you have now. Ask your doctor or pharmacists. You can also use boudreaux's butt paste for mild rashes.

Answer 7

It sounds like his skin is starting to break-down b/c of the infection and, of course, the poop only perpetuates the problem. He needs to sit in Domborro's Soaks(for insect bites and open wounds) 3 times a day and run around without a diaper to air dry for about 15 min 2 or 3 times a day. I'm telling you, the Domborro's really helped my son's rash(it wasn't a yeast one but it was really bad and his skin was breaking-down i.e. bleeding). What it does is makes those open/bleeding areas scab over quickly and doesn't burn or anything. Also, try to clean his bottom off in the sink or bathtub by running water instead of wiping. Good luck!

Answer 8

first thing i do is to be gentle this is one of the worst pains for a baby or anyone every time he walks it probably hurts him so when you take his diaper off blow, blow, blow just keep blowing and calming him down he must have a clean bum at this point so after a bath or in the morning next is dryness you need to get that diaper off as much as possibly. That yeast cream you were talking about is because the area is moist and grows bacteria. gold bond or unscented baby powder is good at keeping dry during the day and his Rx ointment at night change his diaper every hour or leave it off like i said. Next is the BRAT diet bananas rice apples and toast anything with lots of fiber and drink lots of water but don't let him get watery stools either that will hurt just loose stools. Hope his bum feels better!

Answer 9

I have two small children and they both had this at around the same age. I finally figured out that it was their teeth that was causing it. Is he teething? My kids loose bowels lasted about 6-8 weeks. It was horrible!! I know what you are going through. I finally started mixing several ingredients together that a pharmasist gave me. You mix Triple Paste Medicated Ointment with Hydrocoritisone and Maloxx then put regular vaseline on. Keep the vaseline on all the time to help with the pain. I know it sounds wierd but it worked for my kids. Also, what is the prescription that the doctor gave you? I hope this helps.

Answer 10

The only thing I can offer up is Pinxav (pronounced pink salve). It worked wonders for my daughter who was sensitive to cheapie diapers and developed a rash that bled. It is sold in the diapering section of stores. Bag balm (in a green square tin) was wonderful for my others. I will also suggest using Lotrimin AF creme instead of the pricey prescription yeast treatments. It has the same ingrediants that clear up a diaper yeast infection. Yes, it is athletes foot creme, but my doc had me use it for my twins and it cleared them right up.

TIP: When you apply the Lotrimin, follow with a thin layer of A&D ointment to seal it.