URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000962.htm
Alternative names
Irritant-induced diaper dermatitisDefinition
Irritant-induced diaper dermatitis is a diaper rash caused by chemical irritants instead of bacterial or yeast (candida) infection.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
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
Red, irritated rash in the diaper area. The rash does not go past the edge of the diaper.
Treatment
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.
Calling your health care provider
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.