Diaper rash and bath time

[MelissaRB]

DS is on round 2 of an antibiotic for an ear infection and this new one seems to be the cause of a wicked diaper rash. Monday was day one of the med with no rash, small red spots on Tue, worse on Wed and super bad today - no longer just red spots, but all over red that is spreading to the area around (but not on) his testicles. Yikes! He's super unhappy about diaper changes and when he poohs it hurts him like crazy (and it's really soft, almost diarrhea stuff). We CD at home, but on M, W and Th this week he's been at daycare which requires sposies. Daycare has been good about changing him frequently and putting on A&D cream, but it's just getting worse.

I need to give him a bath tomorrow and was wondering if I could, or even should, add something to the bath water. I did a search of previous posts on diaper rash and someone mentioned putting baking soda in the water. What about oatmeal (I don't have any Aveeno)? Any other suggestions? Of course, I will be calling the pedi to make sure he's not having an allergic reaction and to check if they want to see him for it.

Thanks for any help you can offer! DS's tooshie appreciates it!

[Hani]

I don't know about putting anything in the water, but just a plain bath seems to help a lot for us. It stings at first, but she knows it makes her feel better, and now she will tell me she needs a bath when she has a rash. I hope your son is feeling better soon!

[alishaci]

I have been through this so many times with DD1.
It is definitely the antibiotics. They are so strong they are wiping out the good bacteria in DS's GI system. You need a good probiotic to help with that. You can call the pedi or ask your pharmacist what they would reccommend.
We cloth diaper with DD2, and have only had this once so far, but did not cloth diaper with DD1. We use California Baby's Diaper Spray to clean DD2's bottom and then use their diaper cream if she gets red. I bought it the last time DD1 broke out really bad (before she was potty trained) and it worked well. It has natural skin calmers and soothers. A warm bath helps, don't know about putting stuff in it, but other people have. Also, letting it get some air helps. Let him run around naked. I did that a little today, 'cause DD2's tooshie was red. (she was so cute!!)
It could also be a yeast rash, which happens with antibiotics. If it is, you may need a prescription cream.

[Sarah]

Alisha- can you buy California baby in a store? Or just online?

[alishaci]

Oh, forgot to add that! Guess it would help, huh? Lol.
I found both at Whole Foods. Target has the diaper cream (I think) and a few other bath products, but does not have the spray. I don't know what other stores carry it.

[Mackerzgirl]

We used aveno's diaper cream on James and it worked wonders on his antibiotic diaper rash. I know this seems crazy but we washed that area with anit bacterial soap. I read somewhere that sometimes the rash is made worse by bacteria and I was desperate to try anything to help James. Between switching to aveno (it has willow to soothe redness) and washing with dial, airing him out and stuffing him full of bananas he recovered within a day.

eta: it was bad it covered his testicles and entire bum

[mama2J08]

Sounds like yeast to me, not diaper rash. Probiotics for you if you're nursing. My pedi also said that athlete's foot cream (Lotrimin) used as diaper cream will help.

[Amy02]

When we experience this we use presciption cream. It seems to work the best. You might want to call your pedi & ask about getting some.

[MelissaRB]

Thanks ladies!

We put DS back in his CD after he got home from daycare and this morning the rash was better, but not gone. Amazing how a night in a CD can make a noticable difference so quickly. Love those CDs!

I called the pedi this morning and the nurse suggested the Lotrimin because she thinks it sounds like yeast. But I also noticed this morning that he has little red spots on his legs and arms that look like the rash I got when we found out I'm allergic to sulfa drugs. So they're going to take a look at him today, red spots and diaper rash, to figure out what's going on. Here's hoping we get it all cleared up fast!

[simplyme]

there is an oatmeal bath product in which you can soak. you also might try breasmilk drops in the ears for the ear infection instead of antibiotics. if you don't have milk, someone on here that lives close to you may be able to offer some.

[AnakM]

Good luck! Glad that it worked.

I used baking soda in my DS bath and the nurse said to use petroleum jelly instead of diaper cream and it worked within 1 day. So if its not gone, I would try that. Also, she said to go easy on fruits and stay with less acidic fruits like banana, apple, pear and stay away from bottled baby foods (if he is taking anything).