6 Week Old Has Diaper Rash

Updated on March 18, 2008
A.F. asks from Beale AFB, CA
15 answers

I am trying to determine whether or not my infant has diaper dermatitis. She only has this small patch of red spots around her anus. It almost looks like when you had a blister and it popped and there's no skin covering it. There's a good picture to compare to on this website: http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/result.cfm?Diagnosis=104. It's the second to last picture on the page. Anyone have any suggestions? I've been trying Desitin and it cleared up the "rawness" of the rash, but not these spots. I feel like she's peeing and pooping all the time since she's breastfed, so I change her as often as I can. The diaper changes are a battle, though, because she screams her head off everytime (she has casts on her legs for clubfoot, so I think that's why she cries). I try to let her air out before applying the cream but she just squirms and pitches a huge fit. Anything else I should try?

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So What Happened?

The diaper rash has disappeared for good so far! Because she has casts on her legs for clubfeet, it's hard for her to spread her little butt cheeks apart. I changed the brand of diaper and things have cleared up completely. At least I still have some of the ointment the dr. prescribed in case it comes back again. Thanks again!

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R.C.

answers from Modesto on

My nephew had an awful rash from birth until? He was actually allergic to the disposable diapers. Try different brands. You really don't want those blisters to get infected. You may even want to try cloth diapers. If all else fells. Good luck

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N.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A.,

I am sorry to hear about this frustration you are going through. Do you give your baby any water? She may be acidic and that could be the cause of the whole problem.

If you are giving her water is it filtered? Most water today is acidic unless it has nutrients put back into it.

If you are interested in learning about water you may email me and I will get you some information. This big scare we have with pharmaceuticals in our water is not good.

Hope things are better.

Have a Happy ST. Patrick's Day.

N.

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L.T.

answers from Fresno on

Hi A.,

Although my kids are much older now I do remember when my youngest son got a diaper rash. It was very bad and I thought I was a bad mom. Maybe I didn't change him fast or often enough. Come to find out it wasn't us at all. He could only wear Pampers diapers. Everything else gave him a rash. So after you try everyone's suggestions(and they are all good ones), you might want to think about the possibility of a different diaper. I hope and pray that you and your little one get it cleared up fast. I know it is h*** o* both of you. Bless you and good luck.

Blessings,

L.

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M.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A. --

My son used to get really bad diaper rashes too(and still does from time-to-time). Disitin was the only cream that worked for him. I recently tried Triple Paste and I wish I would have used it sooner. It works great. The only place I have found it is Target and it's a bit expensive, but it's worth it.

Good luck!

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A.,

I like Boudroux Buttpaste-- I know its a funny name, but it works!! Good luck to you and congratulations on your new baby!

Molly

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J.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi A.
I'm so sorry to hear this. I know it is a miserable experience. My son had it really bad too. The only thing that made it better was letting him sit in warm water a few times a day and immediately after patting him dry I would smother his bottom with Desitin and give him tummy time with a towel under him, bare bottom up for as long as he'd stay there. The open air and Desitin healed him quite quickly then it was a matter of putting vaseline on him EVERY time we changed him so it wouldn't return. I'd also give him a little children's motrin while in the tub so the diaper cream didn't hurt as much going on.

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T.B.

answers from Sacramento on

My daughter had horrible diaper rash at this age too, and we were told to try triple paste. It is a bit expensive, but it worked wonders. I had tried pretty much every other cream out there, but this stuff really worked. It is really thick and provides a nice barrier. My daughter is almost two, and I still occasionally use it when she gets even the slightest hint of a rash. Her bottom was completely raw before we used it and was completely clear of the rash within 4 days. She stopped crying so much during diaper changes too, since when they have a raw bottom, it really hurts to be changed. She also pooped all the time, so it wasn't feasible to let her air out without a big mess, and we also used wash clothes instead of wipes when it was at it's worst. We found out later that some diapers have a scent to them, and she was actually allergic to the diapers, so check on what brand of stuff you are using. Some wipes also can be problematic for the same reason.

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B.V.

answers from Fresno on

My daughters and daughter-n-law were told to use Bag Balm. You can get it at Wal Mart and probably at any drug store. They were surprised how fast it cleared the diaper rashes up.

Blessings, B.

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T.A.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi A.,

My daughter had this issue at about 4 weeks old. We had already had 2 sons, and never had that happen like our little girl did. We felt lost because we were so used to the little boys, and we thought we were doing something wrong!!

None of my kids can use ANY kind of diaper rash cream that contains Zinc. It just eats their skin and makes things even worse for my kids. Our Dr. recommended soaking her little bum in warm water, A&D ointment (I had to read the label and make sure I got the A&D that DID NOT contain Zinc), and he also said to try a little corn starch in her diaper. (I believe I read that someone had mentioned that too)

My dr's recommendations worked great for our daughter!! I would suggest calling your pedi, and maybe speaking to an advice nurse to see if they may want to see her since she is so young, or maybe give you some other suggestions. (They may want to see her just to rule out any kind of yeast infection type rash ect.)

Hope her little bum gets better soon!! Poor little thing, I know how worried you are because of experience and it really does look painful for them. :(

-T.

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K.G.

answers from San Francisco on

There are natural diapers by Seventh Generation. You can find them at Babies R Us, they have no cholorine. WE always have to use these when our babies get a rash, our rashes were cracked bleeding and raw skin, they were horrible, they too still get them and scream when they get changed, but they go away a lot quicker now. Also, Burts Bees has a natural diaper rash cream you can find at Target. I love it. If that doesn't work take her to the Dr. We had to get a special prescription cream for a while. Try to examine what you are eating, maybe something in the breast milk is causing the poop to burn the skin. good luck.

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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Try Neosporin…My little one had awful diaper rashes when she was a baby as well. Medium size looking blister patches that were so raw! Not quite like the picture, but similar in description. Part of her issue was anything perfumed…like Huggies wipes. BAD!! Use no scented wipes, non chlorine diapers, and no lotions or bubble baths. My pedi. recommended Kirkland brand diapers and wipes...they have been great!! Don’t worry too much about wiping her when changing a pee-pee diaper when she is really inflamed, just apply Neosporin, put on a dry diaper and change a poo-poo diapers right away. Her screaming is because of the diaper rash! Blood curdling, hard to catch her breath, bright red, big tears…yep…that was mine too. I would also suggest Butt Paste over Desitin. I’m not against Desitin, but I have had the best results with Butt Paste! I hope you have had this checked out with your pedi. as well. If it comes and goes too much I’d take a picture to show your Dr. so they get the full image.

It could also be an allergy. Mine had a dairy allergy as well that could have been contributing to the rashes. I had to go dairy free to continue breastfeeding.

Good luck! I know it is so hard to watch your little one be in pain. You could administer Motrin too to help with the pain.

Hugs, J.

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I have 4 children and have found corn starch to be the best! It is cheap and very affective and natural. Just spinkle a spoonful on the diaperd area at every changing and you should see results in one day!!!!

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L.R.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi A.,
Your poor little one! I looked at the picture and I hurt just looking at it! My daughter has had a few REALLY bad diaper rashes and I tried Butt Paste, Desitin, and Bag Balm without complete success. My neighbor, a nurse who has worked in Labor & Delivery and the NICU, recommended trying Calendula Diaper Care from Weleda Baby. I found it at Whole Foods and after using it for two days her rash was GONE! It is rather pricey but you only use a very small amount. I also put it on at night and then covered her whole diaper area with Desitin. Paige has only had one rash that needed a prescription from her doctor. I also stopped using any wipes while she had a rash, just used warm, wet paper towels instead.
Hope this helps,
L.

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J.L.

answers from San Francisco on

You might try cortizone cream.

M.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Have you tried a little bit of Hydrocortisone cream 1 % over the counter...twice a day and use **Triple Paste** with every diaper change...if that does not clear it up quickly go see a dermatologist...like Dr. Greenberg...###-###-####

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