Health & Baby

Expert Answers for Diaper Rash Questions

Do your toughest questions about diaper rash come up after hours? Help is on the way.  Here, pediatricians offer their best advice on large and small topics to help ease your little one’s discomfort.

Should I change my baby’s diet?

Some foods, such as fruit juices, can give babies diarrhea or make their poop goopy, leading to diaper rash. Taking antibiotics or starting solid foods can also affect their digestion. You can try minor adjustments, but don’t change your baby's diet for long -- or stop giving medicine -- without talking to your doctor.

Does teething cause diaper rash?

Teething and diaper rash often happen at the same time but are unlikely to be related, says Nannette Silverberg, MD, a dermatologist at St. Luke's-Roosevelt and Beth Israel in New York.

Do I need to wipe off all the ointment every time I change the diaper?

Ointments like zinc oxide are like wax for your car, says Elaine Siegfried, MD, professor of pediatrics and dermatology at Saint Louis University.

You’re putting a thick layer of paste between your baby’s skin and irritating liquids. Rubbing it all off hurts more than it helps. Pat urine dry gently and wipe away poop, then apply some extra ointment.

Will dabbing an antacid on the rash help?

Maybe. Diarrhea can be very acidic. If the rash was caused by diarrhea, a liquid antacid may be worth a try, says Wanda Filer, MD, a board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. You may have a bottle of this chalky liquid in the medicine cabinet to ease heartburn.  Dab a little on your baby's rash with a cotton ball, let it dry, then add diaper ointment to shield the skin before the next messy diaper.

Should I switch to cloth diapers?

The right answer will depend on what works best for your baby.  There's no clear proof that one type of diaper is better for diaper rash.

If you prefer disposables, give them a fair chance. Rashes tend to grow in moist environments, and disposables are very good at wicking liquids away from a baby’s skin.

Switch to another brand if you've tried everything and your baby still has a sore bottom. A fragrance or dye could irritate her skin or even cause an allergic reaction. Plain white diapers are safest, says Siegfried.

Rarely, babies are allergic to all disposables and do better with cloth diapers. Just be sure to change them very frequently. If your baby has a rash, check the diaper every hour and at least once at night.

Cloth diaper systems may keep your baby's bottom drier than traditional cotton diapers. They come with flushable liners, fleece liners, super-absorbent inserts, and outer covers or wraps.