- Home
- Search
- Tools
- CME
- Help & Feedback
- About epocrates
- Business Solutions
Highlights & Basics
- Diaper rash is primarily an irritant contact dermatitis.
- It is most common in the first 2 years of life, but can occur in a person of any age who routinely wears diapers.
- Diagnosis is made by characteristic skin findings in the area of the body covered by a diaper; erythema of the convex surfaces of the buttocks is the classic finding.
- Initial treatment involves reinforcing good diapering practices, such as frequent diaper changes, use of superabsorbent disposable diapers, periods of diaper-free time, and application of barrier cream, ointment, or paste.
- Recalcitrant diaper rash may signal secondary infection or underlying systemic or dermatologic disorders, and requires further evaluation.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
Lebsing S, Chaiyarit J, Techasatian L. Diaper rashes can indicate systemic conditions other than diaper dermatitis. BMC Dermatol. 2020 Sep 21;20(1):7.[Abstract][Full Text]
Šikić Pogačar M, Maver U, Marčun Varda N, et al. Diagnosis and management of diaper dermatitis in infants with emphasis on skin microbiota in the diaper area. Int J Dermatol. 2018 Mar;57(3):265-75.[Abstract]
1. Mohamadi J, Motaghi M, Panahi J, et al. Anti-fungal resistance in candida isolated from oral and diaper rash candidiasis in neonates. Bioinformation. 2014 Nov 27;10(11):667-70.[Abstract][Full Text]
2. Visscher MO, Chatterjee R, Munson KA, et al. Development of diaper rash in the newborn. Pediatr Dermatol. 2000 Jan-Feb;17(1):52-7.[Abstract]
3. Jordan WE, Lawson KD, Berg RW, et al. Diaper dermatitis: frequency and severity among a general infant population. Pediatr Dermatol. 1986 Jun;3(3):198-207.[Abstract]
4. Suebsarakam P, Chaiyarit J, Techasatian L. Diaper dermatitis: prevalence and associated factors in 2 university daycare centers. J Prim Care Community Health. 2020 Jan-Dec;11:2150132719898924.[Abstract][Full Text]
5. Suddaby EC, Barnett S, Facteau L. Skin breakdown in acute care pediatrics. Pediatric Nursing. 2005 Mar-Apr;31(2):132-8, 148.[Abstract]
6. Auvin S, Imiela A, Catteau B, et al. Pediatric skin disorders encountered in an emergency hospital facility: a prospective study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2004;84(6):451-4.[Abstract]
7. Larralde M, Raspa ML, Silvia H, et al. Diaper dermatitis: a new clinical feature. Pediatr Dermatol. 2001;18:167.[Abstract]
8. Jackson JM, Fowler JF. Methyldibromoglutaronitrile (Euxyl K400): a new and important skin sensitizer in the United States? J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;38:934-937.[Abstract]
9. Stamatas GN, Zerweck C, Grove G, et al. Documentation of impaired epidermal barrier in mild and moderate diaper dermatitis in vivo using noninvasive methods. Pediatr Dermatol. 2011;28:99-107.[Abstract]
10. Hertiš Petek T, Petek M, Petek T, et al. Emerging links between microbiome composition and skin immunology in diaper dermatitis: a narrative review. Children (Basel). 2022 Jan 15;9(1):112.[Abstract][Full Text]
11. Alberta L, Sweeney SM, Wiss K. Diaper dye dermatitis. Pediatrics. 2005;116:e450-e452.[Abstract]
12. Hum SW, Shaikh KJ, Musa SS, et al. Adverse events of antibiotics used to treat acute otitis media in children: a systematic meta-analysis. J Pediatr. 2019 Dec;215:139-43.e7.[Abstract]
13. Nield LS, Kamat D. Prevention, diagnosis, and management of diaper dermatitis. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2007 Jul;46(6):480-6.[Abstract]
14. Lebsing S, Chaiyarit J, Techasatian L. Diaper rashes can indicate systemic conditions other than diaper dermatitis. BMC Dermatol. 2020 Sep 21;20(1):7.[Abstract][Full Text]
15. Kutlubay Z, Tanakol A, Engýn B, et al. Newborn skin: common skin problems. Maedica (Bucur). 2017 Jan;12(1):42-7.[Abstract][Full Text]
16. Šikić Pogačar M, Maver U, Marčun Varda N, et al. Diagnosis and management of diaper dermatitis in infants with emphasis on skin microbiota in the diaper area. Int J Dermatol. 2018 Mar;57(3):265-75.[Abstract]
17. Villarreal M. Neutropenia: a brief review. Pediatr Ann. 2023 Jun;52(6):e238-41.[Abstract]
18. Beeckman D, Schoonhoven L, Verhaeghe S, et al. Prevention and treatment of incontinence-associated dermatitis: literature review. J Adv Nurs. 2009 Jun;65(6):1141-54.[Abstract]
19. Lavender T, Furber C, Campbell M, et al. Effect on skin hydration of using baby wipes to clean the napkin area of newborn babies: assessor-blinded randomised controlled equivalence trial. BMC Pediatr. 2012 Jun 1;12:59.[Abstract][Full Text]
20. Sajjadian N, Hashemian F, Kadivar M, et al. Efficacy of topical sucralfate versus topical zinc oxide in diaper dermatitis: a randomized, double blind study. Iranian Journal of Dermatology. 2012;15(3):85-8.[Full Text]
21. Farahani LA, Ghobadzadeh M, Yousefi P. Comparison of the effect of human milk and topical hydrocortisone 1% on diaper dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2013;30:725-729.[Abstract]
22. Gozen D, Caglar S, Bayraktar S, et al. Diaper dermatitis care of newborns human breast milk or barrier cream. J Clin Nurs. 2014 Feb;23(3-4):515-23.[Abstract]
23. Munz D, Powell KR, Pai CH. Treatment of candidal diaper dermatitis: a double-blind placebo-controlled comparison of topical nystatin with topical plus oral nystatin. J Pediatr. 1982;101:1022-1025.[Abstract]
24. Baer EL, Davies MW, Easterbrook KJ. Disposable nappies for preventing napkin dermatitis in infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jul 19;(3):CD004262.[Abstract][Full Text]
