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Diaper rash
Diaper rash
Diapers and diarrhea
Diapers and diarrhea

Diaper dermatitis - irritant-induced
Definition:
Irritant-induced diaper dermatitis is a diaper rash caused by chemical irritants rather than bacterial or candidal infection. Common irritants include ammonia (produced when bacteria break down the urea in urine), acids in the stool (seen more frequently when diarrhea is present), and soaps and other products used in laundering cloth diapers. See diaper rash.

Alternative Names:
Irritant-induced diaper dermatitis

Symptoms:
Red irritated rash in the diaper area is a symptom.
Treatment:
Keeping the diaper area clean and dry is the best treatment for irritant dermatitis. The more time the baby can be kept out of diapers, the better. Your doctor may suggest a barrier cream, such as a zinc oxide based product.
Calling your health care provider:
Call your doctor if the rash worsens or there is skin breakdown.
Prevention:
See treatment section
Review Date: 1/25/2002
Reviewed By: Philip L. Graham III, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of New York, Columbia University, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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