If your baby’s bottom is covered in patches of pink or bright red skin, it is likely diaper rash. The good news is that most diaper rash symptoms are mild and can be treated at home. But there are times when diaper rash symptoms can become more severe and require a doctor’s attention.
That’s why it’s important to watch out for certain symptoms and signs of diaper rash. We’ll help you differentiate between mild and severe diaper rash, how to treat diaper rash at home, and when you should take your little one to the doctor.
Signs and symptoms of mild diaper rash
Mild diaper rash is very common and usually improves within a few days with simple home care (which we’ll talk about later). Here’s how to tell if your child’s diaper rash is mild:
- Your baby’s skin is pink and dry.
- The rash does not appear painful or is only mildly uncomfortable for your baby.
- Your baby may react when urine or stool comes into contact with the rash, but otherwise eats, sleeps, and generally acts normally.
Signs and symptoms of severe diaper rash
Severe diaper rash is not as common as mild diaper rash, but it does occur. If you notice one or more symptoms of a severe diaper rash, you should call your clinic’s nurse line or your baby’s doctor for next steps. Here’s how to recognize when your child’s diaper rash may be serious:
- The baby’s skin is red, raw, broken, or bleeding.
- Your baby has a rash with blisters, pimples (which may drain pus), sores, boils, or other red bumps.
- The rash covers a large area. It may have a bright red border or worsen in folds and folds.
- The rash appears to cause pain when touched or rubbed.
- Your baby seems sick, unhappy, or unable to sleep.
- There is blood in your baby’s poop.
- The baby has a fever of 100.4° F or higher. This may be a sign that diaper rash is caused by a bacterial infection, so call your baby’s doctor right away.
If you think your baby has diaper rash, here’s what you should do next
The good news is that home remedies are usually enough to help heal your baby’s bottom. But if you don’t see improvement within three days of consistent at-home treatment or notice what could be signs of severe diaper rash, call your baby’s doctor or the clinic’s nurse line right away.
Start with Home Remedies for Mild Diaper Rash
If your baby’s diaper rash is mild, you can treat it at home. A good starting point is to make sure your baby’s diaper is dry and change it frequently, avoid using diaper wipes, and make sure your baby is naked during the time.
Read our diaper rash treatment guide to learn about other effective home treatments that will help soothe your baby’s skin.
Seek help if diaper rash is severe or does not improve
When diaper rash becomes especially red or painful, or just doesn’t seem to improve after a couple of days of home care, seek help from a doctor. They will help determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment to help your baby feel better as quickly as possible.
At HealthPartners, you don’t have to wait for an in-person visit either. Video visits can be a convenient way to get expert advice without having to pack your diaper bag and leave the house. As part of the video visit, your doctor may ask you to upload some photos through your online account. Photos can help you see better what is happening and help you make sure your baby receives the right treatment to clear things up as quickly as possible.
And remember, you can always call your clinic’s nurse line if you have questions. If you are a HealthPartners patient or plan member, call our 24-hour BabyLine for answers and advice on caring for a new baby at 612-333-2229.
