Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I can understand your situation. Please provide more details regarding the child and the rash.
Age of the child, past medical history, previous episodes of diaper rash, duration of the current problem, etc needs to be provided. Does the child have loose stools? How many diaper changes per day? What diapers are being used?
Description of onset, distribution and evolution of rash can help in understanding the situation better.
If possible, please attach a clinical photograph of rash.
Regards
Dr. Saptharishi L G
Dr. Saptharishi L G
Patient replied :
She is 11mths.....no past medical hx....no past episodes of diaper rash....this rash has been present for four days now with no signs of clearing up....she had been experiencing a lot of loose stools around the time the rash presented.....we use Pampers brand diapers along with the scented wipes since birth...the rash is raised in areas and she scratches at her diaper...
Thank you for providing me additional information.
Diaper rash is very common is babies who have loose stools. In most of these babies, decrease in the frequency of loose stools and change in consistency of stools is associated with a spontaneous reduction/ disappearance of the rash. So the general rule is to use an emollient (SILODERM cream, etc) to prevent discomfort and wait for the rash to disappear/ reduce.
Now, intervention is done either if the rash is too extensive/ painful, causing significant discomfort to the baby or persist for MORE than 3-4 days after the primary cause has been removed (In your case, the child's diarrhea should have become passive and if even after that child's diaper rash persists for > 3-4 days, then we need to intervene)
Interventions include:
STOP USING DIAPERS for a couple of weeks. Leave the area in contact with cotton nappies and change nappies immediately after they are wet. Leave the area open in contact with air if feasible.
1. Local application of clotrimazole (CANDID cream, etc) to tackle the secondary fungal colonization
2. Local application of low-potency steroid creams if the rash and associated inflammation are too extensive
3. Decreasing lactose content of food. Decreasing milk intake and increasing fibre intake.
4. Keeping the area dry by use of clotrimazole dusting powder can also been done if the lesions are too wet and cause discomfort to the baby.
Regards.