Diaper Rash Dilema!!!

Updated on October 27, 2008
A.B. asks from Canal Fulton, OH
54 answers

hi ladies...
a severe diaper rash is taking over my son and i'm all out of ideas. i have tried everysinge type of diaper rash cream i can find. i am letting him run around in the buff as he peas and poohs all over everything in an attempt to clear this up... and nothing seams to be working...i could sure use some advice! next step is the doctor
all the advice is much appreciated!
thanks!! :)

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So What Happened?

thanks for all the great advice...i bought bag balm and after 4 applications i'm already seeing a difference. i also took the advice about the baking soda and i gave him 3 baths in that today...he had a good time and it seamed to ease the discomfort a little..if the bag balm dosn't work i'm going to try the aquafor and maloxx mixture...alot of you seamed to use that . although it sounds a bit odd..it must do the trick if so many of you have had success with it. once agin thanks for all the great advice. once again reminds me of why i love this site!!!

Featured Answers

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A.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

My ped gave me this advice...and I swear that it worked better than anything...plain old cheap vasoline! I would slather it on her lots and lots and put some in her diaper. It worked within a couple of d ays when my daughter developed bad diaper rash.

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A.K.

answers from Columbus on

This is a combo recipe that has been used by every mom in my family as far as I know.

1 part Neosporin + 1 part Desitin (or a zinc oxide cream) + 1 part prescription cream

Generic brands can be used. I forget the name of the prescription cream, but if a rash is bad enough it won't work alone. Keep it in a sealed container and mark the earliest expiration date of the medicine on the outside.

Baking soda baths are also very very helpful. My great grandmother was a pediatrician, so I think she is the originator of the 'butt cream recipe'

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R.F.

answers from Canton on

Mix equal parts Aquaphor and Malox and spread it generously over the rash area. It sounded silly when my doctor reccommended it to me, but now I swear by the stuff.

More Answers

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C.H.

answers from Dayton on

hi A.. just saw your posting. though you have recieved other responses, thought i'd just give you mine from my own experience. i am 45 and have 5 kids ages 7 yrs to 27 yrs with 3 grandbabies. between my own, and my grandkids, i have had this prob many times. i see you are having luck with the bagbalm thing. that is good. i never went that route.

with 2 of mine, it seemed like everything i tried sometimes actually made it worse. this was true with 2 of my grandkids, also. it turned out to be a yeast infection. yes, boys can get these also. they end up giving you the same stuff you can buy at the pharmacy for yeast infections. over the counter. when it wasn't a yeast infection, the only thing i have found that ever worked was pure cornstarch powder. yep, the same stuff you cook with. i got a little shaker bottle, and put some in it. or i have just sprinkled it on with my fingers. worked like a charm!!

good luck to you with anything that does the trick for you!! i know how frustrating their little bottom probs can be!! take care,

C.

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N.H.

answers from Dayton on

Hi A.!

I have been down the road before you with my daughter. I tried Resinol - which is my second choice. I just took my daughter back to the doc for her rash and they perscribed MAGIC BUTT CREME - it contains three indgredients - one is Maalox. It works. I also thought it may have been yeast and tried the Walmart brand med for that - didn't really help. I'd get peace of mind by going to your pediatrician.

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B.W.

answers from Canton on

My son did this, he was bleeding it was so bad..
We tried EVERYTHING and anything ppl told us!

Bag balm was the best that I found to help and always made sure it was well covered. We also let him run around nakey too, bnut that gets to be a lil hassel after awhile, with the peeing and so forth! lol

He had severe diahrea (sp) and it would just be everywhere. SO much clotehs were ruined. It was a bath everytime he went poo. It was up his back, down his legs...A MESS

We finally foiund out he was allergic to dairy!

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J.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I agree with Cindy H. - it sounds like he has a yeast infection. I am very prone to them and my 2 kiddos were also when they were in diapers. Buy over the counter cream, like 7 day Monistat (generic is fine, I usually use the Great Value Wal Mart Brand) and you might also want to try some Baby Jarrodophilus (Acidophalus, the same GOOD bacteria that is supposed to be in our Bellies and is in yogurt). You can get it in a health food store in caplets, you open them and it is a white powder that you can mix in with any food or liquid - controls yeast growth from the inside out.

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D.V.

answers from Columbus on

Try mixing aquafor and maalox. It's disgusting...but it works wonders!!! And it also may be related to something that he is eating. My daughter used to break out horribly after drinking orange juice. So I diluted it immensely. Try looking at what he's eating too.

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A.P.

answers from Dayton on

My 2 year old daughter had the same problem and like you, we tried EVERYTHING to no avail. Finally found 2 inexpensive things that work wonders- Little Bottoms, it's a diaper rash spray that's made by the same people that make Little Tummies gas drops, and Vasoline diaper rash jelly- this one is only about $2.

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H.

answers from Columbus on

Well, I have the same problem with my little girl often due to all of the fruit she loves to eat. Try mixing liquid malox and auquaphore. It takes a while to get the two to blend but just keep mashing it together until it becomes a cream. Also, putting baking soda in the bath water helps too.

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K.G.

answers from Columbus on

My son had diaper rash a lot and the pediatrician always recommended the mix of Aquafor and Maalox. Just slather it on really good. You might have to melt the aquafor for a few seconds in the microwave in order to be able to mix in with the maalox. You can mix up a small batch in a container with a lid and keep it on hand. If that doesn't work then he may need a prescription from the doc. Also, you might try different diapers. For some reason Luv's seemed to keep away the rash better than more expensive brands like Pampers.
Good luck!

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K.W.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi A.. Try Aquaphore. It's in the aisle with lotions (for adults). My doctor recommended it for my daughter when she had bad diaper rash and it worked great (very quickly too). Good luck!

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A.W.

answers from Cleveland on

My nephew use to get d/rashes alot and my sister use to soak his bottom in Dreft. This sounds weird but it worked and it was recommended by the doctor.

I would also monitor what your child is eating or taking (meds) when the breakout occurs. Have you tried changing diaper brands to see if this makes a difference? I think you are doing the best thing by letting his bottom dry thoroughly before putting on the diaper.

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M.S.

answers from Dayton on

Hi, Arbonne has a great diaper rash cream it really works I used it on my 2 year old and have alot of friends that swear by it. email me and I can show you how to get it. ____@____.com

M.

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M.M.

answers from Columbus on

Hi A., mix Malox and aquafore together. Try to use equal amounts. It works like magic.

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L.J.

answers from Cleveland on

My sons get a really bad diaper rash all the time. Try some Lotramin cream ( it is for athletes foot) you can use quite a bit, then put some powder over top, then put on the diaper. Also you may want to use some wipes for newborns as they are more gentle and wont bother him so much. Put the cream on at each diaper change and it will go away quickly. Also you can feed him yogurt and it will help it go away also, and the combination of the two will work wonders!

Good Luck!

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T.

answers from Columbus on

50% Aquaforic (not sure on spelling, it is found by the lotion’s and is like Vaseline with added stuff and cleaner) and 50% Maalox (the heart burn stuff) – mix and use as an ointment.
Sounds crazy, but I got the recipe from my pediatrician, and it works wonders. Also, how old is your son and when did this start. My son started getting terrible diaper rashes at about 1 – although the above worked better than any over the counter, I had to find the cause to make them stop. Turned out his was a reaction to milk (introduce when he turned 1) – he outgrew it by 2 but he was on soy milk for a year because of the diaper rashes.

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S.P.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi A.! I have a remedy given to me by my daughters doctor when she was young and everyone I've told it to swears by it! First of all Pink Salve is THE BEST diaper rash ointment around if you ask me or my sisters. You can get it at any drug store, sometimes it's behind the pharmacy counter tho and you just have to ask for it. NO prescription needed. Anyhow, when my daughter had this horrible diaper rash they told me to mix lotrimin (yes, it's for feet) w/my diaper rash ointment. Cleared it up right away. I also have been using Caldesene (sp?) powder on my 12 month old since she's been born and she's only had diaper rash once and it wasn't bad. I've only been able to find this one at CVS and it's in a pink bottle. My sister also swears by this. It really helps keep the moisture away from babies skin.

Hope that helps.

S.

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J.F.

answers from Columbus on

He may have developed a yeast infection...you might try a mild topical yeast cream (you can ask the pharmacist) or take him to the doctor. My fave diaper rash cream is desitin creamy with aloe. Budreaux's never worked for me!

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B.J.

answers from Dayton on

I'd not put any soap on it...it could burn if he has any sores...also if it smells 'yeasty' it is a yeast rash...nyastatin works, but you need a perscription...I'd go to the Dr...

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A.E.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi! My name is A.. I have a daughter who turned one in January. One time she also had a really bad diaper rash that would not go away. I also tried everything and all failed. I took her to the doctor who diagnosed her with a thrush infection that wasnt in her mouth only on her bottom! I had never even known that could happen. They gave her a medicated diaper rash cream, desitin and an ointment (sorry I dont remember what it was). In a few days it was completly gone! Good luck! I hope this helped!

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S.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

Has anyone told you to try lotramin

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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

Has he been on any antibiotics lately? Or does he have enough dairy intake? It could actually be a yeast infection rather than a rash. A doctors appointment may be in order to get a perscription to use on such a rash....

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M.T.

answers from Columbus on

When my son had diaper rashes, our Doctor perscribed a maalox/aquaphor mix. It worked like a charm! You have to have a pharmacy make it for you, but we still use it from time to time!
Hope this advice helps!

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C.B.

answers from Dayton on

Hey A. My name is C. and I had the same problem with my youngest daughter and I mentioned it to her dr and she prescribed a medicated diaper rash cream that really worked please forgive me but I don't remember the name but there is no shame in going to your pediatrition about this.. Jaedynns butt stayed red all the time pee would hit it and bam she had a rash so definately go tp the dr and have them give you some for your son it will really help...Hope this helped

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M.G.

answers from Cleveland on

hello- i have heard rave reviews from many, many moms on the use of pink salve, ask pharmacist where it is located. have you had the pediatrician make sure it is not a yeast rash(boys and girls alike can get this)? best of luck with this problem!

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A.A.

answers from Dayton on

Sounds like a yeast rash. Has he been on an antibiotic recently? Try some anti-fungal cream. I just called my pediatrician and asked for some Nystatin cream and they called it in sight unseen for me. I've also heard you can use Lotrimin AF, and have used it on my breasts when we traded thrush a few months ago.

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L.M.

answers from Cleveland on

LOTRIMIN AF (anti-fungal). It is a little expensive, I think like 7 or 8 bucks, but it works wonders!!! Try not to use any wipes either, I just get warm water on soft paper towels, that helps too.

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A.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi. I'm a mom of 3 and I know what you are talking about. Try using stuff like malox or anyother stuff for your stomach that should help with the rash. It is the acids in the foods and drinks that cause this or make it worse. So try this. It worked for me. You could even try Neosporin.
A.

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C.M.

answers from Toledo on

It might be a reast infection. One time my son had a bad rash and I used an antifungal cream. I got the walmart brand. I put that on then some diaper rash cream over it and it went away.

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T.J.

answers from Canton on

it may be a yeast infection (yes, boys get them too). if this is the case, you will need to see your doctor for a prescription. my little boy, who is 5 now, had them ALL the time. we couldn't change the brand of diapers we were using... he was so sensitive. so, good luck w/ all the good suggestions. but if all else fails, see your pediatrician :)

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M.M.

answers from Dayton on

Hi, It may be fungal. I know it sounds gross but my son had a terrible diaper rash (or what I thought was diaper rash) and when I finally called the doctor they didn't even want to see him! They knew just over the phone that it was fungal as they said almost EVERY diaper rash that won't clear up is actually a fungal infection. All you need to do is buy an over the counter anti-fungal cream (even the store brand is fine) and use that instead of diaper cream for a few days and you will be stunned by the results! Also try to let him dry naturally as much as possible, leave the diaper off for a few minutes if you can get him to stay still on the changing table for long enough. My son prefers to stand in the bath most of the time so I gave him a bath every night too and let him play, diaperless, standing in the bath for a while :) Hope this helps!

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P.S.

answers from Dayton on

Have you tried using pure cornstartch? Yes the kind used for cooking! You use it just like powder. My oldest child is 33 & I used to use it on her. When she was a baby we didn't have all the fancy stuff we use now. It really does work. Put it on with every diaper change. It washes right off easily. Let me know how it goes. Good luck.

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K.C.

answers from Canton on

have you tried using some corn starch when you diaper him like you would baby powder? this sounds weird, but i've known a few people who have used it when nothing else worked and it really helped.

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A.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

Okay I am going through this myself. What I have found that is working is a combination of stuff. I first put baby powder on and then vasline and then the diaper cream called Triple paste. It seems to be working. The peditrician did recommend that I use Lotrimin AF for fungal infection which I might try that when he is a little more cleared up. The Lotrimin worked under his neck when he was an infant and the spit up and dribbles were making a nasty odor to his skin.

Hope this helps.

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R.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

My daughter had extreme diaper rash also!! We tried everything!! The doctor finally told me to try an antifungal cream! (Athelete foot cream) I know it sounds nasty and I had my doubts, but after 2 applications her diaper rash was completely gone!! We had tried prescriptions and everything else you can imagine and the athlete foot cream was the only thing that got rid of it!!

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L.

answers from Cincinnati on

A.,
Have you ever tried Aquaphor or triple paste? Also, DO NOT USE WIPES to clean him up. If you can, use washrags....it should clear up after a couple times washing his butt with warm water only.....if you have tried this....I'm fresh out of ideas...

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B.M.

answers from Dayton on

Have you tried the brand Resonol you can get it at walgreens or cvs. It is wonderful. My yougest gets the diaper rash somethign fierce and this is the only thing that helps. You will see a difference in 24 hours. hope this helps
B.

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M.R.

answers from Lima on

HI A.,
Have you tried baking soda in a warm bath. My son sometimes get a case of diaper rash and that is what I have done. Also oatmeal like Aveno oatmeal bath works really well. Good luck and let me know if that helps.

M. R.

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R.H.

answers from Toledo on

I used lansinol (for boobs),so awesome. if it can make sore nipples feel good and not have to wipe off before feeding, then its safe for their booties! And doesn't hurt/burn them Though if its severe, I would take him to the Dr. HTH, and i hope his bootie feels better.

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P.C.

answers from Columbus on

Another remedy that my doctor told me about when my youngest was a baby is aquaphor and malox. You mix one tablespoon of aquaphor and one tablespoon of malox (plain malox). The aquaphor does the healing and the malox absorbs the urine and takes the sting out of the rash. Believe me, my daughter's bottom was so bad that it was bleeding. This stuff worked really good and was totally gone within 5-7 days.

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

it could be a staph or yeast infection so i would take him tot eh doctor, also you can ask your pharmasist for an ointment called pink salve, it's great but it's behind the counter for some reason and not on the shelves with the other ointments, the nurse at my peds office reccomended it and it was a live saver. good luck.

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S.T.

answers from Cincinnati on

Take him to the doc, it may be yeast, we hadthat problem a few months ago, with our daughter. Boys can get yeasty too. Watch out, you don't it to get too bad. We waited to long and her but began to bleed, we just called the doc on call. They suggested that we let her runn around nude, it only got worse!!

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S.S.

answers from Toledo on

When my little ones had a bad rash...I used a combination of Unflavored Maalox and medicated baby powder. I made a paste of it (make it a little wet so it's easier to use) and slathered it on. The Maalox cooled the acidity of the rash while the powder "dried" it so it could heal. The other thing that I loved (to this day with a 2yr old and 4 yr old girls) is called Pinxav (pronounced pink-sav) they sell it at Walmart at the pharmacy. They have a smaller tube there. The only downside of the Pinxav is that it will "dye" the diaper pink!! And if it gets onto anything else too!! But it works. Try both...Hope this helped a little bit.

A little about me; I'm S., I'
m 38 (shhhh... almost 39 ugh!!) I have 2 beautiful girls who love to go to the mall and library!

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H.S.

answers from Cleveland on

Pinxav it's at the pharmacy counter, it's pronounced (pink savv) it works WONDERS!!

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B.H.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi A., Glad to help I belong to a wholesale club with all natural products and i have talked with people on our calls that used our products for diaper rash and cleared it right up if you are interested in finding out more about our company and our products you can call me or e-mail ###-###-#### or ____@____.com B.

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A.W.

answers from Mansfield on

It sounds to me like he could have a yeast infection which, from what I hear, won't clear up without a prescription. My advice would be to go to the doctor and to keep him as dry as possible until then.

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P.B.

answers from Dayton on

A couple things:
1. Try washing his bottom with antibacterial soap.
2. From the pharmacy counter - you can get Resinol. This stuff works great for diaper rash.
3. Go to the doctor. If it is a yeast bases rash - you will need a precription.

Good luck!

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M.

answers from Cincinnati on

This stuff rocks!

http://www.triplepaste.com/?gclid=CMm6md7c9IoCFRadIgodUHSqkA

Walgreens sells it. It's rather expensive as a small tube is almost $10, but it's the next best thing to the prescription ointment that the doctor prescribes.

I found it in the baby section at the Walgreens in Ft. Wright, but you might have to ask at the one near you.

Good luck, hope it helps.

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M.B.

answers from Toledo on

I would check with the doctor. When Ricky was an infant he had a bad rash too that I couldn't clear up. It turned out to be basically a yeast infection on his skin. The doctor suggested Lamisil (an athlete's foot cream) and it cleared right up! Good luck to you!

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H.H.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi A.,
I've been in your situation and have to say it's very frustrating! We ended up with our daughter at the docs who prescribed a 2% hydrocortisone cream. We had to use this in conjunction with Baby Aquaphor morning and night. It cleared up. My friend also recommends something called Pinksalve (I dont know the correct spelling, but it's pronounced how it looks). They use this in the hospitals and it's available at pharmacies without a prescription. Hope this helps!!
Goodluck!!
H.

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L.P.

answers from Dayton on

Well when my son was in diapers, diaper rash cream never helped. My mother taught me an old trick that she used when I was a baby. Try browning some all purpose flour. I know it sounds weird, but it always worked for my son. You can brown up enough and put it in a storage tub. Take a frying pan and put how ever much flour inside that you think you will need. Put the heat on low. keep stirring the flour until it turns a little darker than golden brown. Don't keep it in there tooo long or it will burn. Let it cool in the storage container, while you give your son a bath, or wipe off the area very good. Pat the area dry and apply the powder to any area affected. Keeping in mind not to get it in his "little boy part". Keep doing this every time he needs a diaper change or takes a bath until it clears up. It that doesn't work in a week, then take him to the doctor. I hope this works for you and your son.

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T.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

When my son was 1 week old when he had horrible blisters on his butt. Went to the doctor and he recommended the best thing in the world!!! Aquaphor and Maaloxx....yep....it is 14 oz of Aquaphor mixed with 1/4 cup of Maaloxx (your choice of flavor...I like the mint for the fresh smell). Tje aquaphor is a vasoline type of lotion and the maaloxx cuts the acid out of the pooh. Every time my son gets changed I use this and he (now his 9 month old sister too) has never had a problem! When they pooh I put it on a little thicker than normal just to be safe! I also only use the Pampers Senstive wipes on them as well!

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B.G.

answers from Cleveland on

hey A. b.

i had a similar problem with my little girl. Apparently it was not diaper rash, rather some sort of fungal/yeast problem - i am not sure exactly, but the doctor gave me some sort of cream to put on it and every time i see her with a rash i use it and it clears up within 12 hours!

i guess it doesn't happen with only females (although that is the typical case).

B. gersper

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