Please Help - Very Bad Rash

Updated on August 09, 2010
B.K. asks from Chicago, IL
12 answers

My 3 year old son has a really bad diaper rash. He has had diarrhea for 2 days which resulted in his butt being raw red. I've been putting on Desitin (purple) altering with A+D ointment, it hasn't helped and it always has in the past. It looks as raw as ever. He's never had a rash like this before so I'm kind of freaking out. He battles me when I change the diaper or put the cream on. I have to remedy this problem by Wednesday because we have a consultation with a surgeon that has to inspect his testicles for surgery (hydrocele) and I'm afraid my son will fight him (big time) plus it hurts me to see him in such pain. Please give me some advise of what else I can do to help him. Thank you. Bernie

He is still not ready for potty training.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Saw the Pediatrician this morning. My son has many sores on his bottom because of the diarrhea she prescribed Nystatin Ointment 3 x daily, in case a yeast infection sets in. Nothing for the diarrhea, let it work itself out for up to two weeks. Thank you for your advise. And to those who were harsh and said he should be potty training, he has mild delays so it will take longer. Please don't judge.

EDIT: Well after 5 days of that, it may be finally over, but not yet. I quickly shower him after each time he poops and let him be without a diaper for a while. Every time he needs to poop he tells me to put his diaper on. I try to sit him on the potty (doesn't always work). I used Nystatin (yeast infection) ointment, triple paste and A+D ointment, I just keep switching up.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.F.

answers from Columbus on

My kids Pedi suggest half Maalox and half Aquaphor. I haven't used it yet but my sister did on my nephew and it worked great.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Walmart, Target and most drug stores carry Triple Paste. It used to be pediatrician prescribed but is now available OTC. It is amazing. My children all had sensitive bottoms and when they got a rash that was bad the Triple Paste cleared it up immediately (like overnight.) It is thick, and stays on. It is like the paste we used to use in Art class in elementary school! Go get some and get it on his bottom right away. It doesn't burn them either like the other pastes do.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Boston on

When our daughter got a really bad rash we used "Bag Balm". It is in a green tin at the drugstore (not the baby section). Has the consistency of vaseline. Also, one time the rash was so bad that we took her in to the pediatrician and he actually prescribed a prescription (antibiotic type cream) to put on in addition to the diaper cream (if the sores become so bad they can be prone to infection). Hope this helps!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Charleston on

1 use cloth underwear-a real pain in the arse, i know, but it will work
2. dip his butt in water and very little or no soap when he soils the cloth unders- no rubbing,wiping, friction, etc.
3. allow plenty of time to air dry between washing, you could pat him dry lightly, but let it air out a bit, too.
4. then do desitin, a and d, whatever works for you, my son used to get a nasty rash on antibiotics from diarrhea, and i swear this will work like a charm-major improvement within 24 hours

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Davenport on

I have to second the Triple Paste - the BEST EVER diaper cream, and also letting him Air-out and wear cotton undies or cloth diapers of some sort, so he can get air circulation. Who knows, he may try to go potty while airing out if you encourage him - and explain that going in the potty will help his bottom feel better, he is 3 , he will understand it!!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Atlanta on

Hydrocortisone 1% cream -- miracle worker because it's slightly drying:)

For the next day, don't wipe your son, put him in the tub and rinse him off, pat dry. Let him be naked ~15 min to air dry then SMALL amount of hydrocortisone cream on rash (like a pea size for every "finger's size" of rash) and let dry a few more min before diaper. As rash gets better, wipe but keep a few minutes naked for drying before cream and diaper.

Don't put directly near anus or tip of winkey and you're good. Should clear up over next 2-3 days. Been there and good luck:)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest son tended to get fungal infections easily on his bum. It always looked like diaper rash, but if it didn't clear up in a day or two, I'd put a lotrimin cream on and he'd be looking much better in a day or two and completely clear in a week.
Hope this gives you some direction or next steps to consider.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.K.

answers from Chicago on

Vaseline will work!! Put a good amount on every diaper change. Good luck !!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Please call your pediatrician to see what they recommend. Chances are, they'll ask you to get some Lotrimin at the pharmacy to see if it's a fungal infection. But, please call to ask first.

Both of our kids have had diaper rashes so bad that they bled. We had to be prescribed a compounded ointment (locally called Riley Butt Cream) that combines an antibiotic, antifungal, antihistamine, and an anti-inflammatory.

In those cases, it was bad diarrhea that had a pH that was causing the open sores and creating the miserable situation.

Good luck with the appointment. Until you know what's causing the rash, you won't be able to successfully treat what's going on.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

I tried Lansinoh Diaper Rash Cream after my daughter got a severe allergic reaction on her butt and it literally worked over night. I was having awful battles with her because it hurt so bad but this worked like a charm. I won't use anything else now. It can be hard to find, I don't think your local CVS will have it. I get it at Babies R Us.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Let him run around without a diaper.(you should be working on potty training him). Stick him in the bathtub with some baking soda. When he is done let him run around 15-20 minutes at least to get some air to the behind. A nurse at the peds office told me to get some liquid maalox and put in on their behind with a cotton ball. Let it dry and put on the diaper rash cream. Try triple paste or bordeaux butt paste,they are better then desitin. Give him some gateorade so he does not get dehydrated. If he likes yogurt give him soem activia or yo baby yogurt which will help regulate his digestive track. If he continues to have diarrea then talk to the pediatricians office.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.G.

answers from Chattanooga on

Ok why is he is diapers? at the least he should be in pull ups. It sounds like its not just a diaper rash . I suggest working with him on potty training or he will not be allowed to go to school and taking your child to the dr

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions