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What is the best treatment for diaper rash?

I have a 3 week old who has diaper rash. My wife wants to use only Vaseline, but that doesn't seem to be helping. My wife doesn't want to "over medicate" any suggestions.

Public Comments

1. Butt paste you can find it at any national drug store
2. toss out the vaseline. change the diapers more frequently, let the baby's bottom have some time out of the diaper, use a blow dryer on low setting, buy A&D Ointment. if this doesn't work, call the pediatrician.
3. U can use the anti rash cream available in market. That will really help. before putting the diaper apply the anti rash cream.
4. What is diaper rash? Diaper rash is a type of irritant dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) that is localized to the diaper area in infants and often spares the skin of the folds beneath the diaper. Diaper rash is therefore known in medicine as diaper dermatitis, and by other names including napkin dermatitis, ammonia dermatitis, and Jacquet dermatitis or erythema (redness of the skin). Is diaper rash a sign of neglectful care? No, not at all. Diaper rash is one of the most common reasons for calling a pediatrician¹s office. Parents often feel that the rash is a visual representation of poor care taking skills. However, parents need to understand that the basic causes for this common kind of skin irritation are still under active debate in the field of dermatology and that neglectful parenting is not among the possible factors. What causes diaper rash? Common diaper rash is caused by at least two factors: 1. Contact irritation; and/or 2. Local skin infection due to overgrowth of various bacteria or fungal organisms. In most cases, the enclosed nature of diapers produces a hot and humid environment which promotes a continuous assault on the skin in the groin area. Whether the high concentration of ammonia (found in urine) or bacteria and their chemical byproducts (found in stool) is a contributing factor for routine diaper rash is still under study. Some information indicates that these elements may foster the progression from a simple diaper rash to a more severe case. It is also well accepted that secondary infections by bacteria routinely found on the infant¹s skin (such as staph and strep) or yeast (Candida) may further complicate the situation. Less often, allergic reactions to the fragrances or other components found in disposable diapers or wipers can cause diaper rash. What treatments are recommended for diaper rash? The best treatment for diaper rash is avoidance of the precipitating agents which led to the contact irritation and to regions becoming secondarily infected by skin bacteria or yeast. Should a rash develop, simple cleansing with water and soft cloths tends to be less irritating to the injured skin than disposable wipes. Frequent application of one of the many diaper area ointments containing either petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) or zinc oxide (e.g. Desitin) provides an effective barrier against skin irritants. Weather and/or carpet permitting, open air exposure of the irritated skin is also extremely effective in helping clear up diaper rash. The occasional bacterial or yeast infected diaper region should be examined by a pediatrician unless the parent is confident in correctly making these diagnoses. Several topical antibiotic ointments are available for therapy in these situations. How about not using disposable diapers? Parents often wonder if switching from disposable to cloth diapers will lessen the likelihood of contact type diaper rash. In fact, the opposite seems to be true. The absorbent gel material found in most of today¹s disposable diapers draws moisture away from the skin area, thus helping to promote a healthy diaper area. How should an allergic rash be treated? For an allergic reaction to the fragrances or other components found in disposable diapers or wipes, eliminating the offending agents by using either simple water cleansing of the skin and a switch to another brand of disposable diapers or using cloth diapers instead is usually therapeutic. How about using cortisone cream? A minimally concentrated hydrocortisone cream may be recommended in certain cases. However, the excessive usage of minimally concentrated hydrocortisone cream and the use of increased potency hydrocortisone preparations are notorious for causing secondary side effects. They should only be used under the guidance of a pediatrician or another physician who is fully familiar with their application to infants. Diaper Rash At A Glance * Diaper rash is very common in babies and is not a sign of parental neglect. * Diaper rash is a kind of contact dermatitis. * Diaper rash may become infected by bacteria or yeast normally present on the skin. * Effective treatment can eliminate diaper rash.
5. If the daiper rash is there for > than a week,the best would be Zinc cream.Just apply a little over the area twice a day. it will heal in no time.Don't use any cream with steroids.Please check with the diapers your child is using,maybe she/he is allergic to it.Change it frequently,don't let your child soak in it like the whole night.It will recur.Vaseline will not work!Good Luck.
6. Would you believe foot powder!!! it takes the wetness away from the skin, keeps it dry AND it works!! Oh-- and a doctor actually told me this. One person recommended cortisone creams--that is a little risky-if used to often it thins the skin-there are other problems with cortisone meds if used long term-I would defiantly check with your doctor if you decide to try cortisone.
7. My 6 month old had bad diaper rash for a while, and all I can tell you is get rid of the ointments and creams... what worked best for me was Mexana medicated powder (which is basically baby powder with a cooling agent in it) Think about it... most diaper rash comes from the diaper rubbing against the skin; all a cream will do is create a more slippery surface for the diaper to rub. Try some basic baby powder, a little "air out" time (don't worry if they pee on the couch.. it's not the end of the world ;p ) and frequent diaper changes. good luck!
8. Your wife is wise enough. She doesn't want to "over medicate" I suggest minimise using diaper . Use rashning cream before using a diaper for your baby
9. mix milk of magnesia with corn starch ...make a slightly thick mixture/paste and cover the reddened area.......after each diaper change
10. Try Caldesen powder. It comes in a round pink container with blue lettering and it works wonderful. Also, try ointments with Zinc Oxide in them, they also work very well. Keep baby's bottom dry by changing diapers often and keep his/her bottom clean. A short story: Our daughter, when she was a baby, got some horrible diaper rash that I could not get to go away. I tried everything, at least I thought I did. I finally took her to the doctor and the doctor gave me some prescription medications that just did not work. I took her back to the doctor again after a week of misery for my daughter and saw another doctor in the same office. He took one look at her bottom, saw what the other doctor prescribed and told me to use the Caldesen. I thought he was nuts and left the office almost in tears, but I went and bought the powder. Within 24 hours her bottom was not as red and was obviously starting to heal. By the end of the week the rash was totally gone. I never used anything else again. Tell your wife to try this, but don't let your baby suffer because your wife does not want to "over medicate" your child. Sometimes you need to give kids medicines or try treatments to get them well. If she wants to use a Vaselline type ointment, tell her to try A & D Ointment, its made out of fish oil and smells a bit funny, but works much better than Vaseline. Its also made out of natural ingredients, Vaseline isn't, its made out of petroleum products.
11. vaseline doesn't heal, it only acts as a barrier to moisture. try borofax. my mother swore by it.
12. Try changing the baby diaper often. Make sure they do not stay wet. Use diapers with extra absorbency. Try a zinc based diaper rash cream and the baby should be fine in a week or two. If not go to the doctor.