Eczema in the Diaper Area

The treatment with hydrocortisone steroids can quickly relieve itching and reduce inflammation. They come in different strengths, from mild over-the-counter (OTC) treatments to stronger prescription medicines. OTC hydrocortisone is often the first thing doctors recommend to treat mild eczema. You may need different strengths of these steroids depending on where and how bad your rash is. For example, a doctor may prescribe a more potent one for thick, scaly skin. Side effects from these meds, such as thinning skin and stretch marks, are rare when you take them as directed. Read more http://www.internationaldrugmart.com/hydrocortisone.shtml

Dear M.,

I would get it checked out. Eczema does not usually limit itself to just the diaper area. It can be anywhere on the body chest, back, arms, face, etc. I have seen many babies with eczema and it looks more like dry scaly skin, not red bumps. It may still be a bacterial infection. Get it checked out. Is it possible he is reacting to the diapers, maybe try a different brand or put him in cloth until it clears up. Good luck!!

Try giving him an hour or two of diaper-free time every day. Let the sun and air get to the affected area and see if that helps clear up the rash. Lack of air circulation, constant wetness, reactions to the chemicals in the diaper, reactions to lotions ect used during diaper changes, reactions to something in the diet etc, can all contribute to rashes in the diaper area.

My son had the same issue with the red bumps and I treated it with the hydrocortisone until it went away a few days later. I was diligent about changing his diaper every 1-2 hours and immediately after a poop. I smeared him with aquaphor and only bathe him in the aquaphor body wash - everything else made him break out! Definitely get it checked because I thought it was eczema but it had turned into a yeast infection that the aquaphor won't get rid of. I still put aquaphor all over him every night - especially since the dry weather is here - and always when I change his diaper. If I don't its back again!

Eczema shows itself with dry, itchy patches, and sometimes red welts. But almost never just red bumps. Hydrocortisone helps any kind of inflammation, so it's hard to tell what the real problem is. My doctor had me use Hydrocortisone on both yeast and regular diaper rashes.

I would recommend taking him into the doctor for a look. Can't hurt, and you'll get some good advice! Too much hydrocortisone can definitely cause trouble, especially by thinning the skin out. So the doc can give good advice on the next step.

And Aquaphor is basically just vaseline. That can be a great barrier, but it won't cure a rash with a bacterial or yeast infection component.