Hi, all. My 17-month-old son was fine through a few diaper changes today, and this last one before his nap was horrible. His bum was very red and sore. He screamed when anything even brushed the area. And there was some bleeding in one spot. The severe rash seemed to have come out of nowhere.
The first odd thing was that he didn't want to sit in his high chair for lunch. Not like him. But now we see it was because it was too painful to sit.
I'm wondering if it might be a reaction to carrots. Does that sound strange? I've noticed that when he had carrots the last time (a good while ago), his bum area was a little red. It cleared up by bed time. This time around, the diaper was full of (sorry) whole, tiny cubes of carrots. And the diaper rash is really red and very uncomfortable.
Just go with the barrier method and watch the rash, yes? Anything else I should consider? Also, has anyone else experienced bad reactions to carrots?
Thanks for your help. I'm rather worried for the little guy.
Hi. Can't thank you enough for the prompt advice. He's definitely on the way to better. He's little bum isn't as red, but now that I can actually see things clearly, it's an pretty bad burn/blister in one area (which was bleeding), with the surrounding area being red and and sore. Nothing raised or leaking any kind of fluids. And nothing crusted.
We're not using Pampers Dry Max. I read about the trouble with those and never bought them. And we have stopped using the wipes for now. Thanks to all who recommended doing this. Even though we use the "sensitive" kind, I agree that wipes would only sting or make my son more uncomfortable.
Next, the carrots. Safe to say he will not have those again for a good while. Can't be sure that the carrots caused this, but rather play it safe.
And thanks to all for the recommendations on products. We already use Aquaphor and Desitin. I'm definitely going to look into the others you named.
Also, an even bigger thank you to you for getting back to me so quickly and expressing concern. Having this community is priceless!
Hi MMM,
Get Bag Balm.It comes in a green metal box,the last time I saw it. It has anti-biotics in it and cleans off easily. It is like a petroleum jelly type substance. It was originally made for cows udders,but works wonders on humans too.
Yep...sounds like it was the carrots. Give him lots of water and use baby medicated Vaseline on his behind.
You might want to switch Diapers too. Two of my 4 kids had allergic reactions to Luvs and Huggies.
Nanc
Poor little guy.
I don't know about the carrots, but there's an easy way to tell....stop giving them to him for now.
My daughter was actually allergic to disposable diapers and she had the worst rash I've ever seen on a baby. I changed to cloth and just had her in training panties or nothing most of the day to get plenty of air on her tushy.
The only other time she got bad rashes was when she was teething. As soon as her little butt got red, I knew she was getting a tooth or two.
Don't use baby wipes. Use either a cool or warm soft rag or put your baby in the tub and rinse his little hiney off that way. The less you touch and rub, the less his skin will get irritated.
I notice a mom mentioned bag balm. I love that stuff! We've used it for years, BUT, it might burn so until the rash clears up I would hesitate to use it.
The one upside to my daughter's rash problems was that she was super, super easy to potty train. She never had an attachment to diapers because I rarely had one on her and I started putting her on the potty well before a year old. I wasn't trying to potty train her, I was just doing everything I could to keep her from getting a rash that burned and bled. Even with cloth diapers, like I said, when she was getting a tooth, her little butt just got raw.
Your son is old enough to put cotton training panties on him. They breathe and if he pees, they catch most of it. If he poops, it's no different than dealing with a cloth diaper and it won't stick to his skin as much.
Let his hiney air out as much as possible. That really helps the best.
And, maybe try putting him on the potty on the off chance he'll go. They do figure out it burns a lot less.
I really feel for you and your little guy. I hope he's better soon.
Kids respond differently to different foods. I would cut the carrots out and keep some aquafor or desitin on it. Hope the little guy feels better soon!
I've had no trouble with carrots, but my son got his only diaper rash each time that we fed him strawberries. The doctors told us that that is not how allergies show up, but despite which, every time we fed him strawberries, he would get a diaper rash. So we cut the strawberries out of his diet for about 8 months, and he didn't get another diaper rash in all the time! Recently, we reintroduced strawberries (watching carefully for a reaction), and now they're one of his favorite foods. I would definitely remove carrots from your son's diet for now if you think it could be responsible.
The best way to treat a diaper rash is exposure to air (let it dry out). Therefore, whenever you can, let your little guy go around naked. I personally have a fully-carpeted house, so it's difficult to do, but even just spending some time in the kitchen or bathroom helps. Do not use wipes when cleaning him up after a pee or poop, but just water on a soft cloth (the ingredients in the wipes can make the rash worse). Make sure that his little bum is COMPLETELY dry before covering it with a diaper, and use a diaper cream with zinc oxide as the main ingredient. Good luck. I feel sorry for the little guy.
What kind of diapers are you using? If they are the pampers Dry max diapers stop using them ASAP. These diapers have caused blistering burning diaper rashes. My son is 2 moths old and now has scars from them. Pampers is being looked into right now and maybe being sued. I doubt a diaper rash is caused by carrots.
Dear MMM, In my experience (5 children) when they are cutting certain teeth, (incisors) or what my mom called stomach teeth, they would have loose bowel and this horrible rash. You may need to check with your doctor as it could also be fungal and will not respond to diaper creams etc. I am sure you are worried and he is uncomfortable to say the least. Not sure if carrots would do this..... many rashes are from acid in the urine too. Once you have it diagnosed and healed, then the barrier creams, Balmex, or any one with zinc to keep it dry will help. My best, Grandma Mary
I agree with Amanda, if you are using the Pampers Dry Max diapers, STOP. My daughter is 3 weeks old and had a HORRIBLE diaper rash. Nothing seemed to work. The doctor told us to rinse out the wipes (or use 7th generation - with no additives) and she gave us Triple Paste. You can get it in the grocery store. It's a bit more expensive than Desitin, but works wonders. Good luck.
I second the Bag Balm suggestion! It works amazingly well and I use it on my daughter and recommend it to all my daycare clients. Also, since it is raw and bleeding, I would also use a little Neosporin or Bacitracin on the open spots until it heals up. The antibacterial cream *may* cause a yeast infection if you slather it all over, but poop and open sores is a definite recipe for a Staph infection, which will be a bigger nightmare for you and your son.
As for the carrots, they might be causing it but it's more likely due to teething, an upset/acidic stomach or an acidic meal. The fact that the carrots came out whole is not unusual. Babies don't chew things very well and carrots and other veggies are hard to digest whole. My daughter's diapers always look like (WARNING: GROSSNESS) burrito filling. :-) If his stomach seems upset, you can try a BRAT diet for a day or so (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, tea, yogurt) of easy to digest foods to help ease his tummy/intestinal issues.
I also use Pampers Dry Max diapers and so do many of my daycare clients and have NEVER seen an issue with them.
Good luck!
Just use cotton balls and water to wash his tush, then air dry completely before putting on diaper rash cream- we have the best luck with Desitin overnight relief, the purple tube. It is thicker than others, including regular Desitin. I would definitely start a food log so you can track what may be irritating your son- it is a pain but can be very helpful in helping to determine sensitivities and/or patterns.
My son got one when he had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. I use Resinol (behind pharmacy counter, but not a prescription) and it cleared up in a day (stopping the antibiotic too). I would wait another month or two before trying carrots again. I would also give him some yogurt too.
I have a miricle cure for you. Try a hair dryer. Take of his diaper, wash him well with mild soap and water, then dry his bottom on low or no heat for as long as he will let you do it. Five minutes if he will- it will dry up the spots, and he will feel better. Lather on a barrier cream, you could even put A&D under desitin. Do this several times a day, and he will be clear very soon!
M.
We liked Dr. Beadreax's Butt Paste if you can find it!
nystatin can be gotten through your doctor- use it directly on the skin and use a second barrier like a GOB of petroleum jelly (it's not tacky and won't cause him more pain) and Tylenol for the pain.
Call his Pediatrician for the rash ointment- and to make sure nothing else is up.
My daughter got a slightly blistery bum from carrots-
Best luck!
Try a cool bath and air the area out. Do not use wipes, just use a soft wash cloth with warm water only.
Next time carrots are on the diet but valoline on him (safe to use daily actually) and that will protect the skin from getting it. We do that when my little one is on antibiotics.
Wowzers, I hate when diaper rashes break open. One time my MIL fed my baby yogurt with sweet potatoes and apples mixed in. Mind you she had all these things by themselves so she thought it was fine (she was about 11 months at the time). All of a sudden she broke out from head to toe in a bad rash. The doc tested her and she came back clear for not being allergic. The Ped told me it must be because it was all combined. Freaked me out though, my poor baby looked/felt horrible. I would definatey use diaper rash cream (I like aquaphor) and if it doesnt get any better go to the doc. They can usually prescribe a stronger cream. Also watch for fever and watch for infection around the broken skin. You can also do a sitz bath (couple table spoons of baking soda in a bath, it helps clear bacteria) Good Luck!
don't use commercial baby wipes -- use cloth or soft gauze soaked in warm water instead to clean him or even just wash off his butt... the gentlest commercial wipes are harsh and will irritate his skin. u can continue to reuse when his rash is better.
also try to air dry as much as possible. sorry for the little guy :( maybe he's allergic to carrots??
My pediatrician ordered me Silvadine which is a burn ointment and essentially a diaper rash is a burn. The stuff is like gold in our house, I keep a tub of it in my medicine cabinet even though my kids are well out of diapers, but I figure if it worked 27 years ago (my oldest) and I used it on my last who is now 11 then I should keep it in the house, though now we use it for when the kids get burned on something or whenever we have a baby around. As for the cause, worry about that once you have your son's rash cleared up, but first get a prescription for the Silvadine, you won't regret it.
T.
Ionic Silver Defense will help. ORder it from my on-line Health Store at:
http://mariji.ShopVitamark.com This and Vita Water will help as well. THe ionic Silver is an natural antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal that has been used for hundred years. Now finally affordable in a low potency.
OK, Your kid is got "body out of balance"!!! You need some look at diet and health. Check out my store, it is also very educational too. If you are serious at getting him healthy, then call me. If not please do not cos I find people want info and they do NOTHING! Suffering is not my game. I help people heal themselves with my products and info. It is as simple as believing that it will work and doing it!
Also I used "calendula cream" from the health food store when my twins had the slightest sign of a rash. This cream is available today too, silver was not then-over 20 years ago where I could buy it. : the brand is Weleda and is called Calendula Baby Cream. It works and does not sting or hurt! Costs less than $10!! I think that you can get NOW!
Good luck and go get some..the IS Defense ingested will prevent flues and sickness. Get some of that too and investigate the facts at: http://www.silverfacts.com and see for yourself.
God Bless your baby!!
M.
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Our daughter had a rash like that, and her pediatrician said it's due to an acid/base imbalance between the food they're eating and the skin. In other words, if their waste is too heavily one way or the other, it basically burns the skin. He recommended using Domeboro (you can find it at any drugstore, it's a powder you mix with water and dab on during diaper changes), Triple Paste diaper cream, and try to get them to eat yogurt. That worked for us!
