Help!!! Chronic Diaper Rashes

Updated on September 22, 2008
L.A. asks from Lakewood, WA
12 answers

Please, someone, give me some advice! My son is 9 1/2 months old, and has the WORST chronic diaper rash problem. I'm not talking just a little bit of redness; I'm talking fire red, blisters, weeping, bleeding, etc. They pop up out of no where and take WEEKS to get rid of. Then, literally, as soon as I get it cleared, they sometimes return within hours. I am NOT letting him sit in a wet or dirty diaper. In fact, he frequently goes diaper-less for hours. I soak him in baking soda baths, I've tried the Bordeaux's Butt Paste- doesn't do a thing. I prefer the Desitin, as it seems to be do something at least. I have a Rx for Nystatin that I use when it starts to resemble a yeast infection. I use an anti-inflammatory on there sometimes..... I've found that the only diapers I can use now are the Pampers Cruisers..... I've tried other brands and they seem to make the problem worse (Huggies, Especially for Baby, Parent's Choice).... I use the Kirkland brand wipes (from Costco). They are alcohol, scent and dye free. I'm trying to pay special attention to see if it could be food related. I'm at my wit's end and pulling my hair out- I just don't know what to do. And every time I change my son's diaper he screams and cries and does everything he does to get away from me, and my heart breaks. I've taken him to the doctor- they haven't said much. We're waiting for our dermatology appointment.

Please help.

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much to everyone! I appreciated your feedback and opinions. I just got off the phone with the dermatology clinic, and they had a cancellation- he's got an appointment on the 6th of October, so, that's not too bad, considering. For those that suggested a possible food/dairy reaction- That thought has also crossed my mind. He's currently on Similac Sensitive, which is Lactose free, but still dairy based. (Back in May he started having issues with the regular formula and had CONSTANT watery diarrhea). So, what should I try now then? And someone said Gluten free; how do I do that?

Thanks a bunch Moms!!

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M.S.

answers from Seattle on

Have you thought it could be yeast infection. Does he have white patches in his mouth? If he has thrush and doesn't get rid of it then it will show up as a diaper rash. You can get a cream from the doctor or you can buy the cream. It is an athletes foot cream. But it is the one where the main ingredient starts with a C. I can't remember the proper name. But it works. Hope this helps

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M.B.

answers from Seattle on

One word....yeast! Sounds like a yeast infection.

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T.G.

answers from Seattle on

I Love Gold Bond Medicated Baby Powder. It is the only thing that actually acts as a barrier for my daughters bottom when it gets the way you are describing. The ointment just seemed to not take to the raw skin. This powder clears the rash up most of the time by the next diaper change and protects the skin in the interm. Best of luck mama. You can find it at Walmart.

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K.G.

answers from Seattle on

I wouldn't use wipes at home just a washcloth with luke warm water, maybe even cool to sooth his skin. My son has sensitive skin and we used huggies newborn wipes with him and then didn't even chance it with my daughter and used the same. Hopefully that will make the changes a bit easier for him and you. I always used vaseline on my kids or A&D ointment, it provided a better barrier then desitin on a regular basis. So use something medicated like desitin until the rash is gone and then swith to vasiline or A&D and goop it on and see if that makes a difference.

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A.O.

answers from Seattle on

Hi Landsay,

Im so sorry for you and your little guy. I had a similar problem with my first daughter so I used cloth diapers with my second. I LOVE them! My newest daughter has only had one rash so far and it went away in a day.

Best Wishes

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N.R.

answers from Seattle on

Unfotunately I do not have any advice about the diaper rash...it sounds like you are doing all you can. Letting him go without a diaper at times is great so that the rash has a chance to breathe...

I do have a suggestions on the wipes so he won't be in so much pain when you have to change his diaper. Don't buy wipes at all. Instead, go to your local pharmacy store (walgreens, rite aid, etc) and buy the large packs of 4X4 gauze and saline solution. Then when you get home soak the gauze in the saline solution and ring them out until they are at the desired wetness for diaper changes. The saline is the closest chemical solution to body fluids so therefore does not sting when it contacts the sores. And don't wipe...dap as much as you can to get him clean and only wipe if you have to. Hope this helps

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R.S.

answers from Seattle on

I would keep talking to my doctor. If you happen to have some Lansinoh breast cream, try that. Someone sujested it to me one time and it works on my son's bad rashes. Have you thought about cloth diapers?

Good luck!

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A.C.

answers from Seattle on

When my children's bottoms got so bad they bleed I would clean their bottoms in the sink with each diaper change and pat dry then put a little bacitacin and cover with sterile gauze. This helped it heal quicker. Also using homemade wipes really help to reduce rashes. Cut a roll of Bounty paper towel in half, taking out the paper core and pour a mixture of; 2c hot water, 2TBS baby oil & 2TBS baby wash of choice, over the wipes and store in closed container. Good luck. It is always so difficult hear your children be in so much pain.

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B.L.

answers from Seattle on

Have you checked to see if he has a milk allergy? My mom nursed my brother and ended up having to give him goat's milk because he literally had a "bloody bottom." She said that it was awful and that sounds like what you are describing. You might want to ask your doctor if it's possible that this could be an allergic reaction. I wish you luck. I can only imagine how awful it is. Hugs!
B.

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S.M.

answers from Seattle on

It sounds more like an allergic reaction to something than just a routine diaper rash. Cloth diapers might be a good experiment but make sure to change them often to keep the area from any wetness. I think you might get some good insight from the dermatologist, so hang in there. Try to get as much "air" time as possible - no diaper at all.

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S.C.

answers from Seattle on

Sounds like you are doing everything you can to help him. Have you considered cloth diapers? My daughter had reaction to the chemicals in cloth diapers. even when the say purfume/dye free, there are other chemicals in them.
I know how you feel mine was just like yours. I even stopped using diaper wipes and started using just a warm wet paper towel with straight water as the wipes made it burn.
With my little one- I thickly coated her little bottom at every change- seriously she had about a half inch of cream on her and I have to agree about the desitin. And bath time oh man even that hurt. She is now 2 and still has bumps in that area, but they do not bleed etc.. any more.

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M.D.

answers from Seattle on

I would go w/cloth diapers and continue the frequent diaper changes/free time, soaks etc. I would also remove ALL gluten and dairy. I had to do the same thing w/my son. It's hard but well worth it.

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