The most common cause of diaper rash is irritation of the skin from contact with urine or stool. Irritant diaper rashes look red and sometimes raw on the prominences of the buttock, labia, and penis.  Irritant diaper rash is treated by protecting the skin from contact with urine and stool.  Change diapers as frequently as possible.  Use a thick layer of a good barrier ointment such as Desitin or Balmex.  These are safe at any age and in any amount.  Vaseline is not as helpful.  When changing a diaper clean as gently as possible, removing all stool.  Do not clean away previously applied barrier ointment more than necessary.  This tears at the delicate areas, which are attempting to heal.  If the stool is very messy or sticky, you may have to soak it off by putting your child's bottom in a bath of warm water.  Allow his diaper area to remain exposed to air as much as possible.

Some diaper rashes are caused by yeast.   Yeast grows best in wet dark areas.  Normally the good bacteria on your childës skin prevent yeast from growing.  Yeast rashes tend to develop as a superinfection when the skin is irritated or when a child is on antibiotics.  Yeast rashes are red and pimply.  While irritant rashes are usually worse on the buttocks than the genitalia, yeast rashes often look worst on the labia, penis and scrotum.  Yeast rashes usually involve the skin folds, while simple irritant rashes usually do not.  If your child's rash fits the description of a yeast rash your should buy clotrimazole 1% ointment (the most common brand is Lotrimin).  This should be applied twice daily.  Barrier ointments should be used at other diaper changes. 

You should call us if the diaper rash has fluid-filled blisters or round, punched-out areas (these resemble cigarette burns).  This may be the result of a staph infection.