[lumasmama]

Okay. She's never had bad diaper rashes, and now, the area around her labia, down to the anus is a bright rashy red, and it's making her scream. No swelling, no scabby anything, just red. It seems worse when there's poo in her diaper. Once we get that out, and put some cream on (which makes her squirm), she seems to calm down. Her poo is quite soft, on the edge of diarrea. She is also getting some teeth in, her gums are swollen up, and there have been bouts of fever.

Could the rash be caused by some chemical change or acid in the diarrea that's caused by her teething? This has never happened before, she's 14 m old.

What else could it be?
Should I take her to the pediatrican? I prefer to treat things organically and at home as much as possible--our ped goes for perscription meds more than I'm comfortable with.

Nothing in her diet has changed recently, although she's eating alot of fruit. We have a new dog--it's been a week since he arrived, and dd likes to get his dog food, and some has wound up in her mouth. Otherwise, everything is the same.

Please help! all suggestions are welcome.

 

[caedmyn]

Fruit can cause diarrhea--is she eating more than usual? The diarrhea alone might be enough to cause a diaper rash.

Also, my DD got a diaper rash when she had diarrhea with her first round of teething, but hasn't had a diaper rash this time, so I would say it's possible the diarrhea/rash is just caused by teething even if it hasn't happened before.

Is she getting lots of air time? That should help clear things up more rapidly.

 

[xenabyte]

Try putting some oatmeal in a knee high stocking or a sock and soaking it in warm water. Then give her a 'sitz bath' for her bottom. Talk about soothing! Pat dry and let her go without a diaper on, just have a towel for her to sit/play on. The air does wonders!

I LOVE weleda's 'Calendula cream' for applying to irritated bottoms. It seems to clear things up in a day, regardless if it's food irritation or 'rash' issue.

If you have any cloth diapers, put on a very loose one, to allow air circulation, but to help catch pee. She will feel it asap and can let you know to change her quickly. You might have some 'poo' issue, but again, you will know and can get her changed fast. The more air time possible, the better!
IF that isn't possible, then SLATHER on the weleda and put on a regular diaper. Also make sure your diapers (if using cloth) are super well rinsed, as urine and feces can react with residues from detergent and make her very red and irritated. So can the chemicals in most disposables...(not sure what you are using).

If that still doesn't help, and the redness persists, you might want to ask your doctor about 'anal strep'. It's a wierd thing, and I only just heard about it from my two sister in laws whos kids both got it! It was really red, irritated and would not go away with any of the conventional or herbal treatments. They needed antibiotics to get rid of the strep.

Hope she's feeling better soon!

 

[UptownZoo]

Is she nursing? If she is, there's nothing more soothing than a breastmilk-soaked cotton ball on the rash. Just pat it all over her rash.

Poor baby! My youngest (super fair redhead) got wicked rashes frequently. It feels awful, I know, when you have to clean their sore little bottoms. I used to clean YDS's rashy bottom with cool running water when it got really sore, so I didn't have to rub.

I hope you find a solution soon!

 

[staceyshoe]

Just wanted to send

your way! DS never needed diaper cream until he was 14-15 months and got a horrible, open sore, bleeding rash! No diet change, no teething, no obvious reason for it. 2 hrs before it came on, he got a clean diaper and when I changed him again, he was bleeding. His turned out to be yeast based even though it didn't look like any pic of a yeast rash that I've seen. My car was in the shop so I couldn't eve take him to the dr, but Lotrimin (anti-fungal athlete's foot cream) cleared it up quickly.

 

[lumasmama]

:
That was some really great advice. I did give her some good air time, and slathered with cream (I used Burts Bees, but I'll try the Welda). The oatmeal bath is great advice, and thank you for the post about about the 14m old with a first time diaper rash. (It sounds horrible tho, and I'm sorry you went thru it, mama, but it really helps to know what happens to others, that what's happening is not the first or last time.) She seems to be getting better. And I feel better, too.