Drexel University College of Medicine

Diseases and Conditions

Diaper dermatitis - irritant-induced

Definition

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

Alternative Names

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.

Prevention

  Diaper rash
  Diapers and diarrhea

References

---

Review Date: 8/15/2007
Reviewed By: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only - they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.