Bad Diaper Rash

[baj406]

Unfortunately, the doctor is closed until after Labor Day. The whole thing didn't even start until last Thursday I think. It's VERY slowly getting better. I just have to hang in there. I think he'll end up at the doctor anyway though. I was sick last week and it looks like he caught it. I'm not sure, but he has a runny nose, mucus strings out when he sneezes (gross, I know) and a little bit of a cough. He's also much fussier than usual. I was SO careful not to get him sick too. I even had my mom come over and take care of him one night.

[baj406]

Hey everyone, thanks for ALL your suggestions. I think about the only home remedy I didn't try this past weekend was triple paste. His little tushie is finally about healed. In case someone else gets a stubborn rash like this, I'll tell you what FINALLY worked, though it may not work for everyone. As most of you know, I switched him to cloth diapers, which helped it a lot. Then my mom brought me a tube of A&D ointment. That didn't appear to be making a difference, and honestly I'm not sure if it helped or not, but I'm still using it because it CLEARLY didn't hurt. (The zinc oxide ointments seamed to be irritating it. Perhaps because they prevented breathing?) It was still staying about the same so I resigned from use of baby wipes. I normally use Parent's Choice, which I've NEVER had a problem with. I don't think it's the wipes that caused the rash, but once it was there they definitely inhibited it's healing. Instead I grabbed a handful of infant wash cloths and soaked them in a mixture of 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 cup baking soda. Then I rung them out, folded them up and stuck them in my portable wipe carrier. I used these at every diaper change. Then I patted him dry with a dry baby washcloth. When you're done just roll the cloth diaper and wipe all up together and toss in the diaper pail. He's loads better and hopefully it'll be all cleared up by morning. I know a lot of people aren't willing to go the route of cloth, but I think the combination of those three things are what finally did the trick. I just can't revert back to disposables because it comes right back, and with a vengence. (He's not even crying when he poops now.) So thanks everyone for your ideas. The baking soda definitely seemed to do the trick! YAY!

[neshee]

My guy has gotten worse. I am seriously thinking that if it doesn't look somewhat better in a couple days, I will try the cloth diaper thing. I hate to, just b/c he is my last baby and to have to spend all that money at one time is just so hard, BUT I want this gone! He has two new spots that are oozy and red (like you described). He is also on Nystatin and Bactroban cream, and I have tried A+D ointment--seemed to get worse, I have tried Baking soda, Desitin (both creamy and regular...as the regular has more zinc in it), I let him be bare bottom for the majority of today...and will see if that has helped in the morning. It is just bugging me...this has last 2 WEEKS! I am trying everything in my mommy book and then some. I even bought the Mylanta (I know Maalox was recommended, but the Mylanta has the exact same ingredients!), and that hasn't helped. I am going to call the doc again tomorrow. I just hate to keep taking him, but there has to be something else going on. I really know it is the formula. My son also has protein allergy (or is assumed, and there is NO TEST for this...just to keep adding proteins back into his diet). So, I am wondering if the proteins that are in this are effecting him. Sigh. I am just so heartbroken for him! If anyone has any other suggestions, I would appreciate it.

[neurowreck]

Are his wipes scented?

The Nystatin would work if it were a yeast; Bactroban is really good at keeping things from getting infected from bacteria, so that's good. Is it warm enough where you are to wipe all goos and stuff off of him, and let him lie nekked () on a blanket in the sun for a while? (putting sunscreen on the rest of him, if he's old enough, or just letting him be out 'airing himself' for a few minutes?).

Are the worse areas near where the elastic is in the diapers, and are they latex free? (you've probably checked all of this stuff already). If you go with cloth, and get the waterproof pants, check that they don't have latex- they make a bunch of them that you can get on line $$$$$$$$, but you wouldn't need that many. If he could even air out indoors on a towel, over a waterproof crib cover, that might help.....

I know it's hard to see them hurting, not understanding what's going on, and wanting to be able to fix it. I feel for you guys.

[baj406]

Oh, your poor little baby. I hope he gets better soon. I think I'd be calling the doctor myself if it were going on 2 weeks. I wish I had more ideas, but I haven't come across anything else, other than when they have a rash you're not supposed to use baby powder or cornstarch. (I didn't know that one until about 2 days ago.) Anyway, it can help infection grow. NOT COOL! Anyway, good luck. I know its miserable watching them be uncomfortable.