Diaper Rash: Causes, Symptoms, & Relief for Your Baby

Diaper rash is a common skin irritation that affects most babies at some point, typically presenting as red, inflamed, or irritated skin in the diaper area. It’s commonly caused by prolonged exposure to moisture, poop or urine on the skin, friction, or an imbalance in skin pH. While most cases are mild and resolve within a few days with home treatments, such as frequent diaper changes and barrier creams (like zinc oxide or petroleum jelly), more persistent or severe cases may require medical attention.

Understanding the causes and effective treatments for diaper rash can help you manage and prevent it more confidently. In the next section, we’ll explore how to identify different types of diaper rash and the best ways to treat each one.

What Is Diaper Rash?

Diaper rash (or diaper dermatitis) is a common condition that causes irritated skin in your little one’s diaper area. It can look inflamed, flaky, or tender and may make diaper changes uncomfortable for your baby. On lighter skin tones, diaper rash may appear as a red or pink rash on the butt or in skin folds. On deeper skin tones, it can show up as dark brown, purple, or grayish patches.

Diaper rash is generally caused by excessive moisture, friction, or contact with stool or urine, rather than the diaper itself. Over half of all babies will develop diaper rash at some point.

Most cases are mild and clear up with simple care and diaper rash treatment.

What Does Diaper Rash Look Like?

Signs and symptoms of diaper rash may vary, depending on the cause and your baby’s skin tone, but they often include:

Symptoms of a Diaper Rash

Red or brown bumps (which may appear less visible on darker skin tones)

• Peeling, flaking, or scaly skin

• Puffiness or tenderness in the diaper area or skin folds

• Warmth in the affected area

• Fussiness during diaper changes.

These are common symptoms of diaper rash, especially in areas that stay moist or rub against the diaper.

If the rash is due to an infection—like yeast or bacteria—you might see:

• Blisters or open sores

• Pus-filled bumps or oozing patches.

Other skin conditions, like eczema or cradle cap, may look similar. If you're unsure what you're seeing, check with your baby’s healthcare provider for guidance on how to recognize baby rashes.

What Causes Diaper Rash?

Diapers themselves aren’t the root cause of diaper rash, but the warm, damp environment inside a diaper can trigger irritation for many babies. When moisture, friction, or bacteria build up, it increases the risk of diaper rash from diapers. Knowing the most common diaper rash causes can help you understand why babies get diaper rash—and how to prevent it.

Common triggers include:

• Prolonged contact with stool or urine, especially during diarrhea

• Overhydration of the skin from too much moisture

• Friction from tight-fitting diapers or clothing

• An imbalance in skin pH due to enzymes in poop.

Teething, which can alter stool composition due to increased salivation, is another contributing factor. Other causes of rash in the diaper area may include bacterial, yeast, or viral infections, allergic reactions to new products, and improper diaper fit. Understanding these factors may help reduce the risk of diaper rash and keep your baby comfortable.

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What Factors Increase the Risk of Diaper Rash?

Several factors can make your baby more likely to develop diaper rash, even when you’re keeping up with regular diaper changes.

Your baby may be at higher risk when they have frequent stools, as diarrhea and diaper rash often go hand in hand. The constant moisture and acidity can quickly lead to diaper rash from diarrhea.

Starting new foods may also increase risk. When babies begin solid foods, their bowel movements change in frequency and acidity, which can sometimes trigger diaper rashflare-ups.

Other contributors include sensitive skin, taking antibiotics, tight diapers, or any irritation that traps moisture against the skin.

Types of Diaper Rash and Treatments

As mentioned in the section above, various causes of rash can lead to different types of rash in the diaper area, including common irritant diaper rash, yeast infection, bacterial infection, or allergic reactions. Here are some diaper rash types, what they may look like, and the treatment options:

Irritant Diaper Rash

The following skin irritants cause the most common diaper rash:

1. Mess on Skin Sitting in a soiled diaper and being exposed to urine or stool for long periods of time disrupts pH. Diarrhea can also bring the skin into frequent contact with loose stools

2. Increased pH Enzymes found in stool can increase the skin’s pH level, leading to skin irritation and redness as they break down the protective lipids and proteins in the skin. This could also result in an acidic diaper rash, triggered by acidic poop, often during teething or after a diet change.

3. Overhydration Extended periods of wetness in the diapered area can lead to overhydrated skin, which is more easily damaged, prone to chaffing, and leads to an increase in microbial growth

4. Friction A tight-fitting diaper or tight clothing that causes chaffing or rubbing

5. Teething Teething may lead to increased saliva production and swallowing, which can affect stool composition and trigger a diaper rash.

Symptoms and treatment of irritant diaper rash:

Yeast (Fungus) Infection

Another common type is a yeast infection diaper rash, also known as diaper candidiasis, resulting from an overgrowth of fungus located in the digestive tract. If you’re wondering, “Can antibiotics cause diaper rash?” Yes, a yeast infection can sometimes develop after your baby finishes a course of antibiotics, or if you’re breastfeeding and taking antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill both good and bad bacteria, leading to a yeast infection or diarrhea, which, in turn, irritates the diaper area.

Symptoms and treatment of yeast diaper rash:

Bacterial Infection

Although cases are rare, diaper rash can be caused by a bacterial infection called impetigo, which is typically caused by either Staph or strep bacteria. This can lead to a bacterial diaper rash or worsen an existing rash.

Symptoms and treatment of bacterial diaper rash:

Allergens

Your baby may also be sensitive or allergic to certain substances or ingredients, such as:

• Dyes in soap, laundry detergent, or fabric softeners

• Elastic in diapers

• Ingredients in baby powder, lotions, oils, ointments, and creams

• Food allergens can be passed on to your baby through breast milk or through anything your baby eats once they have started eating solid foods.

Symptoms and treatment of allergy diaper rash:

Other Causes of Diaper Rash

Some conditions that look like diaper rash may have different underlying causes. For example, seborrheic dermatitis can affect the diaper area when the skin produces too much oil. Rarely, a genetic condition like acrodermatitis enteropathica—linked to zinc deficiency—may be the cause.

If your baby’s rash isn’t improving or seems unusual, it’s a good idea to consult your baby’s healthcare provider. They can help determine the cause and guide you toward the right diaper rash treatment.

How Long Does Diaper Rash Last?

The length of time it takes for diaper rash to go away depends on its severity. Mild diaper rash typically goes away after about 3 to 4 days with home treatment. However, some more severe diaper rashes may take longer or require treatment, such as antibiotics or antifungal creams. Your baby’s healthcare provider will be able to identify the severity of the diaper rash and the best course of action.

How to Prevent Diaper Rash?

Here are some ways to help prevent diaper rash:

Diaper Rash Treatment and Relief

Most cases of diaper rash are mild and typically clear up with consistent home care. The key is to reduce irritation, protect the skin, and keep the diaper area as dry and clean as possible.

So, if you’re wondering how to treat diaper rash or how to relieve diaper rash pain fast, some treatment options often include:

• Frequent diaper changes to limit contact with stool and urine

• Gentle cleansing with warm water or baby wipes designed for sensitive skin and pH balancing. Gently pat the skin dry after cleaning.

• Using super absorbent, well-fitting diapers to reduce moisture and friction

• Using a baby diaper rash ointment or cream that’s been recommended by your baby’s healthcare provider.

These steps can provide effective relief from diaper rash pain and help prevent flare-ups. If the rash doesn’t improve within a few days, worsens, or looks severe, consult your baby’s healthcare provider. They can guide you toward the best relief for a diaper rash or suggest targeted care if an infection or underlying issue is involved.

If you’re looking for some gentle home remedies for a diaper rash to use alongside the treatment options mentioned above, check out our dedicated guide.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Mild Diaper rash generally goes away after a few days with home treatment and by following our prevention measures listed above. However, call your little one’s healthcare provider if you notice the following:

• A diaper rash that won’t go away, lasts longer than a few days, or gets worse

• Your baby’s diaper rash is bleeding, has blisters, or has open or pus-filled sores

• They develop a bright red rash, edged with red spots, after taking antibiotics

• Your baby develops a fever with a rash

• The rash is painful

• The rash spreads to other areas of their body, such as the face, arms, etc.

Related Articles

Common Baby Rash Guide: Types, Causes, and Effective Treatments

The Bottom Line

Remember that a diaper rash is not caused by the diaper itself but is often linked to four main factors: overhydration, friction, imbalanced skin pH, and prolonged contact with stool. With help from your child’s healthcare provider, you can receive an expert diagnosis and treatment for managing symptoms.

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