Call the Doctor if you Suspect Severe Diaper Rash

Many parents are hesitant to call their pediatrician for “just a diaper rash”. While mild diaper rash is common and typically treatable at home, severe diaper rash merits a trip to the doctor. For anything beyond mild symptoms or when in doubt, be sure to call your pediatrician for further guidance.

Diaper rash is extremely common in infants as their digestive systems begin to develop. Prolonged contact with a soiled diaper, friction and chafing can lead to skin irritation in the diaper area known as diaper rash.

With a mild diaper rash, the skin in the diaper area will look inflamed and may also be warm to the touch1 . It may be itchy and tender, and you may notice your baby’s discomfort, especially during diaper changes2. Usually, areas where the skin creases are not affected3. For any other symptoms where severe diaper rash is suspected, be sure to contact your pediatrician.

When diaper rash becomes severe, it’s important to contact a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment. If left untreated, a severe diaper rash can cause open sores and leaves your baby’s skin vulnerable to infection.

The best way to help prevent severe diaper rash is to take precautions to prevent diaper rash from starting at all, and to properly treat mild diaper rash at the first signs.

• Keep your baby’s diaper area dry. Change diapers frequently to prevent prolonged contact with moisture and the acidity of soiled diaper contents. When putting a diaper on your baby, be sure to leave some room for air to flow, and you may also want to give your baby time without a diaper to help keep skin dry2.
  
  
• Keep your baby’s diaper area clean. Gently clean your baby’s diaper area with water and pat dry. You may also wish to use a gentle cleanser or alcohol-free and fragrance-free baby wipes if your baby’s skin can tolerate them. Be sure not to rub or scrub the skin to avoid chafing and irritation2.
  
  
• Apply a skin protectant ointment such as Aquaphor® Baby Healing Ointment to help protect the skin from diaper rash. Aquaphor® Baby Healing Ointment helps treat and prevent diaper rash, protects chafed skin due to diaper rash and helps protect from wetness.

If diaper rash symptoms have already begun to show, address them as early as possible by following the tips above in conjunction with using a soothing diaper rash cream. 

Aquaphor® Baby 3-in-1 Diaper Rash Cream prevents, soothes and treats diaper rash. Its creamy, fragrance-free formula with 15% Zinc Oxide skin protectant helps protect against diaper rash and soothes irritation. Apply this diaper rash cream after diaper changes, at bedtime, and any time your baby may be exposed to a wet diaper for a prolonged period. 

Before applying diaper rash cream, thoroughly gently cleanse and dry your child’s diaper area.

For fast, long-lasting relief for  mild diaper rash discomfort, use Aquaphor® Baby Diaper Rash Paste. This diaper rash paste formulated with 40% Zinc Oxide Skin Protectant provides long-lasting protection all night long and relieves discomfort of mild diaper rash in just one use.

At Aquaphor®, we understand how stressful it can be to navigate all the ongoing changes with your baby as they grow, particularly when dealing with an uncomfortable skin condition like diaper rash. For mild diaper rash, you can use Aquaphor® Baby Healing Ointment, Aquaphor® Baby 3-in-1 Diaper Rash Cream, and Aquaphor® Baby Diaper Rash Paste to provide soothing relief and help restore baby’s healthy skin.

For anything more than mild diaper rash symptoms, be sure to contact your pediatrician for further guidance.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin
2. Improve the appearance of the skin
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin