Diaper Rash, Only It's Not!

Updated on November 01, 2006
C.S. asks from Hurst, TX
26 answers

I have been fighting a horrible rash on front and back of my 3 year old. You name it, I've tried it. Thing is, my sitter can keep her for two nights and almost make it disappear. She is out of diapers except for at night and then they come off dry. We have compared notes for months and I cannot come up with anything that works from her house to my house. I took her to the dermatologist last week and came home with a tube of antifungal that looked about like a toothpaste tube for a co-pay of 63.00. It is making her skin bright red and burn even more. I am at my wit's end. We've done all the usual diaper rash remedies, antifungal, cortisone creams, looked for food allergies and soap and changed diapering products back when. One doctor thought it might be exezema and the oral dosing of Benedryl helps some. Anyone know of a miricle or a miricle doctor?

1 mom found this helpful

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?

Drum roll please...
Today I visited the pediatric dermatologist in Grapevine and he is sharp as a tack! This is my third doctor by-the-way and he diagnosed classic contact dermatitis. His believes it is from the dye in the diapers, even though she wears one less than 10 minutes a day. He promises she will be cleared up in three days with the non-stinging medication he has provided, but there may be future outbreaks. I am feeling very excited about this because this time it fits! We go for a follow up in two weeks and he will give me another prescription for less powerful medication similar to cortisone. More good news is that we are kissing the diapers good-bye today. She got lots of reinforsement from the doctor and staff, so this is it! Good-bye diaper genie!
All smiles,
C. S.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Seattle on

I also think it may be the fabric softener, if she has sensitive skin that will do it! Also, is she wearing cotton panties? If not, the silky panties don't allow the skin to breathe and that may be causing the rash. I love Arbonne's baby care diaper rash cream...it always works for me! You can find it at www.arbonne.com. Good luck!!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Dallas on

Do you use fabric softener in the wash? You mentioned she is out of diapers, so I'm wondering if it's detergent. I react to all fabric softeners (liquids and dryer sheets).

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.M.

answers from Dallas on

Give the child a bath in Aveeno bath. It is the consistency of oatmeal, but really works. My son had severe diaper rash (and I do mean severe) from teething and it got rid of it completely. I made up wipes with cut paper towels soaked in this stuff and throughout the day I would soap his bottom in it. You can buy it at almost any store over the counter. Best of luck.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Dallas on

For whatever reason, my 3 yr old has problems down there when she drinks grape juice. I know that's random, but maybe fruit juices are one thing you haven't looked at yet. When she was in diapers, it would actually cause a rash. Now that she's potty trained, she just complains of itching.
As far as treatments, I have had better luck with the over the counter antifungal Lotrimin AF than with any prescription treatment. You can find it with the athlete's foot treatments. We've only needed to use it a handful of times, but it works wonderfully.
Otherwise, maybe this is opening the door for potty training?

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.C.

answers from Dallas on

My heart goes out to you and your 3 year old. There are so many causes for rashes! I highly recommend the pediatric dermatologist that my pediatrician sent my son (only 1 at the time) to see:
Dr. Ghali
1280 South Main Street
Grapevine TX 76051
###-###-####

He was great with my son and was able to correctly identify and get rid of the rash for good. In my opionion, pediatric specialists are worth their weight in gold when dealing with sick babies and toddlers! Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Dallas on

Has your doctor tested her for a latex allergy? I have allergies to latex and my mother found that I couldn't wear diapers as a baby. Even some underwear can cause this irritation because of the rubber in the elastic. The irritation is close to what you are describing. This may not be what it is, but latex is a horrible thing to be allergic to and can be very dangerous. Cortizone does nothing for latex allergies. Benedryl may help a little, but latex allergies are very systemic.

Also, have you compared notes about detergeants or cleaning products?

I hope you find a solution soon!

Jodi

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello C.
So sorry your little one is going through this, it breaks my heart whenever one of mine has a bad diaper rash. I am not an expert by far but I can share what I have done for mine.

If it is a rash this is what I do: In a separate container mix TRIPLE PASTE + AQUOPHOR + MYLANTA (OR MAALOX) together. I basically put equal parts of the first two and mix in the third item making sure it doesn't get too watery. Along with going diaperless several times a day I use this mixture and things look better by the next diaper change. I also watch which foods I give them -- nothing acidic or that'll make loose stools.

If it's eczema this is what I do: One of mine has very sensitive skin and has eczema. Right now he has some rough/tender spots on arms, knees, upper chest and neck areas. I'm alternating A&D ointment, Aquophor, and a Hydrocortizone mixture...which help however the heat does aggravate it every couple of days. I also use Arbonne bath body wash and lotions to help with his all over dryness.

If it's a fungus, well, I suppose I would use the antifungal but mix it with some A&D ointment for a few days until DD is used to it.... and feed her yogurt every day. Get some plain yogurt and mix in some applesauce or syrup or some other fruit....it's a lot better than the prepackaged sweet stuff.

Maybe you should look at what is being used to wipe her. Rethink your detergent, too.
I would also head over to Sprouts' gurus on everything natural to see what they can suggest. Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Dallas on

Try micolazone it is an over the counter antiyeast..I am a nurse and we use it in the hospital..it was the only thing that worked on my daughter...about 4 dollars. You can find it at target I know they have their own generic in a tube. It sounds like a yeast infection, not a fungus
good luck!
A.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Dallas on

I know its frustrating and you want to do something. I had this with both my children and they had to have prescriptions.
They tried the antifugal cream and it made it 10 times worse.
She can't use that. But they tried a combination. A Nystatin cream and diaper cream butt paste which the pharmacy has to mix. It was the best 2 day and the rash was gone.

I will not ever give them any anti fugal cream for either child. My Dr even tried to give it to me when I was PG
for a rash and I broke out so bad too.

So I would go back to the Dr and tell them its not working
so they can try something else. Don't give up !!!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.N.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried silvadene cream? It's the ONLY thing that worked on my son's rash when he had a milk allergy the first time. It blistered! It's what they use on burn victims. One night and it was already TONS better! Ask your ped about it if you haven't already tried it.
R.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter is the same as a previous mom. She is allergic to Luvs. We bought them when we were out of town because it was all we could find. After wearing them for a few days she was red and bumpy from front to back. Once we got home and got back to wearing Huggies, she was good as new. Find out if your sitter is using the same diapers and wipes as you are and even things like bathtime stuff. Compare EVERYTHING that goes on her skin!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Do you know anyone with and Aloe plant?
My son had a rash that bordered on burns when he was a baby. We tried everything we could find on the market. Then my uncle cut a couple of fronds off his Aloe plant and told me to put them in the fridge. We would cut a little of the skin off the open end of the frond and then "paint" the frond on to my son like a paintbrush.
It worked like a miracle!!!
Hope you find something that works!!!!
Good luck!
-Angie-

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Dallas on

My son used to get impetigo when he was about that age whenever he'd stay the night at grandma's. My dr recommended air and neosporin. I used to let him run around naked in the back yard. I also started using cornstarch in his diaper, which helped a lot.
You can find information on impetigo on webmd. It is contagious. Once I got rid of it I had to make sure and keep him as dry and "aired out" as much as possible b/c it came back about 2 or 3 more times.
Hope that helps. : )

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.G.

answers from Dallas on

If the only difference between your house and the sitter's is location and people/pets as far as the reaction your son is having in his diaper area, you need to definitely consider the possiblity of an allergic reaction---carpet, pet, detergent, perfume, hairspray, etc. Eliminations of allergens will help. If it is yeast, it would not clear up at the sitter and inflame at home.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.P.

answers from Dallas on

I agree, Dr.Smith's diaper rash cream is the best I've seen so far. I work with young children and that's my secret medicine for their diaper rashes.

If it's allergy, keep a track record of the foods the child eats in your home and at the babysitter's house. That way you might be able to see a trigger food for the allergy.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

My 18 mos. old girl had what I thought was bad diaper rash, after fighting it for 2 weeks I took her to our pediatrician (Dr. Ray Rhodes at Fort Worth Pediatrics) and it turned out to be impetigo. That is a itchy, contagious skin condition that produces crusty sores that when scratched can be spread to other parts of the body. They gave me a perscription for bactroban cream. I had to wash her bottom with dial soap 2x a day and then put the cream on 3x a day. At first, the treatment made her skin dry out and get more of a rash, but I finally hit on a system that seemed to help. (In addtion to having oral antibiotics--duricef or the generic for 1 week). Also, my neighbor, a nurse, said not to scrub the area when I cleaned it or put the medicine on, scrubbing made it worse. (That is why I used very moist homemade wipes to remove poop, Q-tips to put on the dial soap, cotton balls to rinse, and gently blotted dry with kleenex. Then I put the cream on and the aquaphor on with my fingers.) I had antibacterial wipes handy to clean my hands so I did not transfer any impetigo.

As I said, bathing her 2x a day with dial soap seemed to be too drying, so I used cotton swabs with dial soap on just the sores 1x a day. (I had her sit in soapy dial water at night.) I washed her bottom with cotton balls and water, dried it with kleenex, put the cream on the sores, and put aquaphor on top of the cream to seal it in. I also put aquaphor on the other parts of her bottom to protect it. I had to change her diaper more than 3x a day, so I couldn't always use the above system. At other times, I used Dr. Smiths diaper cream sold at Walmart in the soap aisle or CVS or Walgreens.

When my son was a baby I had good results with Dr. Smiths and White Desitin Cream. Boudreax's Butt Paste for regular rashes has worked with my daughter, but only Dr. Smiths has worked with our bout with impetigo.

My homemade wipes recipe I got from other moms is 2 Tablespoons Baby Wash, 2 Tablespoons Baby Oil, mixed with 2-2 1/2 cups warm water. Pour this solution on half of a Bounty Big Roll Select a Size White paper towel roll. (I cut mine in half on a cutting board using a large serated knife.) I put the half in a Rubbermaid size 6 round plastic container. They make square ones now, but I think you can squeeze the half roll in that. Put the lid on afer you pour the solution on. Let it sit a minute. Then take off the lid and pull the cardboard center out. Once the cardboard center is out, your wipes are ready to go. You use the wipes from the center out. I only use bought wipes when I am out and about and I do a diaper change using my stash in my diaper bag.

This sounds like a pain, but I was desparate. I knew she didn't feel well. I also tried to let her run around outside without her diaper for fresh air, but I had to watch her like a hawk to make sure she didn't touch the sores and then spread it. I hope you can use some of this information. Good luck!
Holly M.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hi C. S! My name is N. S. My daughter had the same thing on her torso, front and back. I was finally able to alleviate the symptoms with Sarna lotion, bought from CVS for about 15.00 and calamine lotion. I knew that it was some form of eczema since she scratched it constantly and the small lesions began to appear. (I once had a mild case) I went away within about 1 1/2 weeks to 2 weeks. I hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Dallas on

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. This is going to sound a little weird but plain (non-flavored-no sugar) yogart will do the trick. It has the active vultures that will get rid of the yeast if it is there but still moisturizes the skin so it doesn't crack and bleed. If you uncomfortably slathering the baby with yogart, there is an ointment called Dr. Smith's. I think you can buy it over the counter but I bought four when my second son was born and still haven't been through the first jar! It is very VERY thick but it will cure aything. I have but that on him when his skin was so dry that it was cracked and bleeding and there was improvement by the next diaper change. He was completely cured within 2-3 days. Let me know if that helps!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Dallas on

My son kept getting a rash or had a continual one for months. What I learned was that he developed an allergy to HUggies.THose were all I used, now when I put a Huggies product, pull up or diaper, he breaks out into a rash! But also, it is important to find out if it is a yeast infection, which would be the reason for the antifungal...if that is irritating her I would NOT use it. If it is yeast infection, cortizone would feed the yeast and you shouldn't use the two together. (antifungal and hydro cortizone bad combo for yeast infections)
What I did for my son's rash, was keep him as dry as possible, and only used the antifungal early in the morning when he woke up and then a tiny bit at night. In between during the day (because he was still in diapers) We used Boudreaux's Butt Paste. The rash especially cleared up tho, when I changed the brand of diapers he slept in.
Hope this helps?
A.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.R.

answers from Dallas on

you can use capent cream is very good with any rash you con buy it at walmart

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Dallas on

Could it be your toilet paper--just what popped into my mind when you say it clears at the sitter's house? Does she have different toilet paper or wipes than what you have been using? Just a thought. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.

answers from Dallas on

C. - I had the same problem with my daughter. Our Doctor told use to use 1/2 Balmex and 1/2 of this balm for cow udders (We found it a Walmart in the pet section - it's a Green tin) It is fabulous!!! IT WORKS BETTER THEN THE PERSCRIPTION STUFF. Try this and use it every single time you change her. We also had to start changing her before we went to bed at night. That seemed to help a ton too. And then we use this stuff anytime it even looks like she is getting the slightest bit red. I hope this works for you !!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Austin on

Hi C.,

I am not sure what doctor you went to but if all the other suggestions don't work I would suggest taking her to a pedatric allergist. There is only ONE is the DFW area and her name is Kerry Carder. She has a clinic at Childrens in Dallas and a private office in that area too. She also teaches at UTSW. My oldest has skin issues and they put us on a regimen that nip the problems in the bud!

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.O.

answers from Albuquerque on

OK, I'm sure you've probably heard this by now, but you must check out Arbonne's Baby Care Herbal Diaper Rash Cream. It is awesome! My son had sinus infections for about six months non-stop. Our doctor kept prescribing him antibiotics, which would momentarily cure him of his sinus infection, but create absolutely horrendous diaper rashes that looked like raw, open sores. He would cry as soon as I tried to take his diaper off. It was so sad. Then, upon recommendation from a friend, I tried Arbonne's Herbal Diaper Rash Cream, and it was like a miracle. It was the only product that I found that actually cleared up the rash and prevented it the next time he had to take antibiotics! If you're interested in learning more about where you can get some, just check out www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com. Good luck!
- M. O

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.W.

answers from Denver on

My first reaction is allergy. Though I am not a doctor. My youngest has very sensitive skin. Did you have actual allergy testing done (blood test or skin panel)? They can test for over 80 food, seasonal or environmental allergens. I have a wonderful allergist at Medical City if you are interested. His name is Elliott Ginchansky. He has really helped all of my children and is one of the most thorough doctors I have ever met.

Good luck!

R.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Dallas on

what about laundry detergent, toilet tissues, or things like that, if it is improving over two days with your sitter, you should compare notes again and investigate further!!
good luck.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches