MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diaper dermatitis

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Diaper dermatitis - irritant-induced

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes	Symptoms Treatment When to Contact a Medical Professional

Illustrations

Diaper rash

Diapers and diarrhea

Alternative Names Return to top

Irritant-induced diaper dermatitis

Definition Return to top

Irritant-induced diaper dermatitis is a diaper rash caused by chemical irritants instead of bacterial or yeast (candida) infection.

Causes Return to top

Substances that cause diaper rash include ammonia (produced when bacteria break down the urea in urine), acids in the stool (seen more often when the child has diarrhea), as well as soaps and other laundry products used to wash cloth diapers.

Symptoms Return to top

Red, irritated rash in the diaper area. The rash does not go past the edge of the diaper.

Treatment Return to top

Keeping the diaper area clean and dry is the best treatment for irritant dermatitis. The more time the baby can be kept out of diapers, the better. Your doctor may suggest a barrier cream, such as a zinc oxide based product.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call your doctor if the rash worsens or there are sores on the skin.

Update Date: 8/15/2007

Updated by: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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