Severe Diaper Rash

Updated on February 01, 2008
A.N. asks from Raleigh, NC
37 answers

I have a 10 month old that has severe diaper rash. She had a viral infection that has caused her bottom to blister and sometimes bleed. It breaks my heart to see how much this hurts her. I have taken her to the dr. and they gave me a mixture of zinc oxide and hydrocortizone. We also let her run around without her diaper a couple of times a day. 1/3 cup of baking soda:3" water soaks in the tub. I am desperate to try anything.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your great advice. I have had a lot of success just being naked and watching the blisters heal. She is doing much better and I will forever keep "butt paste" on hand.

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A.R.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hi A.,
My sons rarely got rashes, but when they did I put a mix of diaper creme and neosporin on them. Cleared it right up!! Let me know if it helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.C.

answers from Fayetteville on

I raised two children and I can tell you that I have had that happen as well and the answer was vasaline and lots of it. Keep it on the bottom at all times and this will help it from cracking and keeps it dry no matter how wet they get and it helps it to heal a lot faster also. IT WORKS! Put it on after each bath or cleaning and thru the day and before bed at night. Just keep it on there covered real good. T.C.

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S.S.

answers from Greensboro on

Hi A.,
I had the problem when my son was a baby. Have you had her back to the dodtor? The reason I ask is my son would get a diaper rash like that when he had ear infections due to the fever. Until the infection was treated with drugs the rash wouldn't clear up at all. Also you might want to try another brand of diapers or even cloth diapers they still have them at Walmart.

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L.M.

answers from Nashville on

oh, your poor baby girl. Keep doing what you're doing and try Boudreaux's Butt Paste, you can get it at WalMart. It worked great on my daughter who had severe rashes too. Aveeno diaper cream works pretty good if you see a severe rash coming on this keeps it from getting too bad. I think the baking soda soaks and letting it get a lot of air is the best thing.

good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Charlotte on

our doc recommends the following:

auquophor lotion and mylanta

sounds weird but WORKS

take the auquophor and mix regular original mylanta in with it. stir till fluffy. apply frequently

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M.B.

answers from Charlotte on

you can also use mylanta (i know it sounds weird but it works) just pour it on her rash, let it sit for a few minutes and then put the rash cream over it

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B.S.

answers from Wilmington on

My son used to get diaper rashes like that and the only thing that works for me is Arbonne diaper rash cream. I will use it at the first start of a rash and by the end of the day you can see a huge difference. You have to order it through an Arbonne sales rep. If you need help finding one let me know.
B.

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B.J.

answers from Charleston on

My daughter had the same thing, we have been putting A+D onintment on her blisters and triple antibiotic ointment on the area that is so bad that it is bleeding. which is working out good. also we have been giving her Activia Yogurt(you can buy it walmart). it will help with yeast infection.

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T.L.

answers from Greensboro on

Try Milk of Magnesia....it coats, soothes, and relieves! HA! My daughter had a bad rash on vacation this year and a nurse friend of mine suggested this and it worked! I hope it does the same for you!

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B.M.

answers from Greensboro on

For my two boys (6 and 2 now) I used a dab of neosporin mixed with lanacane plus diaper rash ointment. I used pure water to clean their bottoms with and actually pat dried their bottoms with facial tissue. Add to that I changed them OFTEN. If they peed once, the diaper was off. (maybe I went a little overboard, but it worked) Tho the first time the oldest got a severe rash, I still had the spray "Hurricane" that the hospital had given me for my episiotomy. He was crying so bad, then I sprayed his bottom, and he had this look like, "Where did my butt go?" immediately stopped crying and allowed me to apply diaper rash ointment. BTW that's what "Hurricane" does, numbs your butt.

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C.P.

answers from Greensboro on

The best cure for my daughter's diaper rash when she has it is a product called Donesboro. It is a wound care product that is available over the counter at CVS or other major drug stores. You may have to ask for it if it is not on the shelf. It is a pill that is disolved in water and the solution is dabbed onto the bottom. It works within hours of using it and was recommended by my daughter's pediatrician who has been practicing for 30 years. Hope this helps.

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T.W.

answers from Hickory on

Try mixing in equal parts: aquaphor lotion, a & d onitment, and mylanta. Don't shake the bottle of mylanta up before using it, you need to get out the thick layer that comes to the top when it has sit for a while, that is the part that works the best.
You can even use mylanta directly on the rash itself. I am a nurse and I have done that for geriatric patients that had a bad rash.

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi A.,
My son has very sensitive skin and eczema, so diaper rash is a constant struggle for us. I have found that Flanders Butt Ointment is by far the best. You can only get it at Kerr Drug Stores. I use it on him with just about every diaper change, whether he has diaper rash or not. I think it helps keep it at bay even when he is not having a severe "outbreak".

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J.M.

answers from Greenville on

when we had that, they gave us nyastatin because it was fungal. the same fungus as athlete's foot, actually. they said next time it happens or when we run out, we can use OTC athlete's foot creme. i know it sounds weird, but that nyastatin stuff is gold conisdering it ends up being recurring with most of his boughts of diarhea.

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H.B.

answers from Raleigh on

The zinc oxide will help you can also use plain malox and dab it on the areas that are open and let the baby run around with out a diaper. make sure you have a good barrier. Keeping the bottom as dry as you can.

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B.

answers from Charlotte on

This is going to sound strange, but the pharmacist told me to do this and it worked: Maalox and Destin - mix these 2 together, the maalox is really runny, so use a little less maalox. Good luck!

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D.H.

answers from Greensboro on

Last year my son caught the bad Norwalk virus and was hospitalized for 3 days because of dehydration. Because of the illness, he developed a really bad diaper rash. The hospital gave us balmex, which didn't do anything for my son. We were desperate to find something that worked! A friend told me about Aquaphor mealing ointment made by Eucerin, and that worked miracles for our son. You can't find it everywhere, but I have always been able to find it at Walgreens. I hope it helps!

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K.W.

answers from Charlotte on

A.,
I am so sorry to hear about your baby. I can tell you my 8 month old had almost the same thing. Use what the doc gave you and also try to use (and yes this is the name) Burt's Butt Paste. We let our little one run around for about a week with no diaper and used meds and the butt paste to clear it up. Before you know it, your little one will be all smiles again. Good Luck!

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R.R.

answers from Raleigh on

Look up caldesene powder. It comes in a pink bottle and I can only find it at walgreens. It is good stuff on top of the prescription it should protect her bottom really good. If you put some of the powder in a cup of water and put your finger in the water, your finger will come out dry.

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S.G.

answers from Fayetteville on

I had the same problem with my son. We finally tried vasoline. The vasoline works great and we still use it from time to time. Another thing to try is to dilute any juice with water. Start out with 25% juice 75% water or half and half. That should work.

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W.M.

answers from Greensboro on

I once thought my child had a severe diaper rash and it turned out to be a yeast infection. This was easily treated with vaginal cream, approved of course, by my Pediatrician and Pharmacist. It might be a good idea to look into that or, at least rule it out. Poor Baby-Good Luck! Oh yeah, If it is not a yeast infection I've heard Milk of Magnesia works. I would keep the Diaper off as much as humanly possible.

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C.W.

answers from Raleigh on

I use Burt's Bees diaper ointment. It has lavender in it which heals and soothes. Works like a charm. Put it on a couple times a day and definitley do the calendula but soak. You can get petals at Whole Foods.

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N.R.

answers from Asheville on

I have had luck sometimes with using Maalox on severe diaper rash. When your changing her clean her skin really well, and dry it well too. Then dab on the Maalox with cotton balls and let it dry before putting the diaper back on. This really helps heal those open sores that hurt soooo bad.

N.
Mama to 8
3 bio
4 adopted
1 foster
but I can't remember which is which.

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C.M.

answers from Greensboro on

My son use to always get diaper rashes as bad as the one you are talking about because of his psoriasis. Aveeno Oatmeal baths always did the trick. Let her soak for about 15 minutes and do not use any other soaps in the bath tub. After a couple of days, you should see a big difference. Good luck!

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L.W.

answers from Raleigh on

Try gdiapers. They have diaper covers and flushable inserts. I found that my daughter's diaper rash went away quicker with these than disposables.

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S.A.

answers from Raleigh on

Your poor daughter! My son had a rash like that (also caused by a virus). It was awful. I tried everything. Leaving her diaperless is great because it will allow air to circulate on her bottom (and prevents her from sitting in urine, which will burn her bottom).

I tried every diaper cream on the market and nothing worked on this particular rash. Then my son's pediatrician suggested Gold Bond medicated powder. I sent my (now ex) husband to the store and he came back with the lotion instead of the powder. I used it anyway - I put the lotion on thickly anywhere that the rash was and put him in a diaper and put him to bed. The next morning, the rash wasn't gone - but it was healing, and quickly. Some of the less irritated spots were completely healed (skin was still a light pink but it was smooth again) and the blisters had scabbed over.

I hope you find a remedy that works... I nan't even imagine how painful that kind of rash must be!

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M.W.

answers from Parkersburg on

As the mother of 8 I think I have probally tried every new product that came out on the market, but I always go back to what my grandma taught me. I will add one thing, If you are using wet wipes, don't. Ivory dish liquid or pure Ivory soap works best. As for something to put on the rash. Don't laugh, just try it, it really does work. Take a little bit of flour, just white flour and put it in a skillet turn the fire really low and stir the flour till it browns slightly. sprinkle it on your baby's bottom and you will be amazed. Sometimes old is better, its pure and it really does work. God Bless You.

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A.D.

answers from Greenville on

My mother had me try this stuff called Bag Balm on my kids and it worked wonders. It is for animals but it clears up diaper rash and it helps take away the pain. My kids would actually stop crying when I would put it on. You can find it in the pet section of Walmart or at Tractor Supply.

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B.L.

answers from Asheville on

I have found that calendula petals have been amazing (and gentle) at relieving severe diaper rash. Take about two cups of petals and pour very hot water over them. Cover and let sit overnight. Your daughter can either sit directly in the tincture or you can add it to bath water. I have found that the more concentrated the better. If you could get her to sit in the sink for a few minutes this would help. Let her be naked as much as possible, to let it air out.

My daughter had the same thing and I found this to be a miracle!

Good luck, mama.

-B.

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L.M.

answers from Hickory on

I always use Baby Auquaphor and Medicated Powder. This usually works within a day or so. Good luck with whatever remedy you pursue.

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B.P.

answers from Asheville on

I have found Aveno Colloidal Oatmeal Bath to be very effective..It has always helped my two little ones in times like these...I've always done the oatmeal soaks in conjuction with Country Comfort Baby Cream (you can purchase this at Greenlife) It is a really good herbal cream with calendula, st. john's wort,golden seal, and many other good herbs....

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C.J.

answers from Charlotte on

My mom who is a sister of four swears by straight corn startch.

I wish you and her the best.

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M.Z.

answers from Charlotte on

My daughter was similar with the diaper rash and the zinc oxide mixture worked for her. But, we also were big fans of Dr. Smith's diaper cream and Bordeaux Butt Paste. The biggest thing with my daughter was changing her frequently or letting her run around in her big brother training pants (cloth)-- he had outgrown them. I also did not use anything in her bath water and only washed her with baby soap (unscented) at the end. A spitz bath also could help, but that might be hard with a 10-month old. One of my best friends had a twin girls and she used vasoline with a very fine layer of baby powder (which you have to use very carefully so the baby doesn't inhale the dust)-- she swore by it!

One good thing-- my daughter potty trained herself at 18 months in about 1 1/2 hours-- she took off the diapers and never looked back because of the rashes-- so there is light at the end of the tunnel-- she was very motivated to get out of diapers.

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J.R.

answers from Greensboro on

Aquaphor! My pediatrician recommended it 6 years ago with my first. It works great! My second used to get severe diaper rash from antibiotics. He would scream when I tried to go near it.. Shew.. I almost forgot those days. Good luck, sister.

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K.L.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

My dr said to go to the drug store and buy AQUA 4 (which is like a really thick vaseline type substance) and mix it with the original Mylanta till it creates a spreadable paste. Worked on my kid like a charm! Good luck!

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S.B.

answers from Asheville on

you should try butt paste, comes from wal-mart. it is the best stuff..and extra protective cream..epc it is smith&nephew
it works too..that is what is use on elder's skins..the nurse told me you can use it on babies

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K.P.

answers from Greensboro on

When my baby had a really bad rash I think the naked thing did her the best good. It was gross, but it helped. I put a TON of oatmeal in the bathtub with her also and let her play for 45 minutes or so (thank God I can see the TV from the tub :-)).
A few years back my aunt (long story) had a bad diaper rash that wasn't clearing. The Drs decided that she was allergic to her own urine and they gave her benadryl...and potty trained her very early! She is a light skinned red head with sensitive skin.
Hope this helps. Good luck, I know it sucks!
K.
www.youtube.com/kpmclovin

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