From the Guidelines
Diaper rash is primarily caused by prolonged skin contact with moisture from urine and feces, which irritates the baby's sensitive skin, and can be exacerbated by friction, bacterial or yeast infections, and certain foods or products. This irritation is worsened when diapers aren't changed frequently enough, allowing ammonia from urine to develop and further damage the skin. The provided evidence 1 discusses risk factors for atopic dermatitis, but does not directly address diaper rash. However, it highlights the importance of skin barrier function and the potential for irritants and allergens to cause skin reactions.
Key Factors Contributing to Diaper Rash
- Prolonged skin contact with moisture from urine and feces
- Friction from the diaper rubbing against skin
- Bacterial or yeast (particularly Candida) infections
- Certain foods in a baby's diet
- Antibiotics
- New products like wipes, detergents, or diaper brands
Prevention and Treatment
To prevent and treat diaper rash, it is essential to:
- Change diapers frequently
- Clean the area gently with water or mild wipes
- Allow the skin to dry completely before putting on a new diaper
- Apply a thick layer of zinc oxide or petroleum-based barrier cream For persistent or severe rashes, particularly those with bright red patches suggesting yeast infection, an antifungal cream like clotrimazole or nystatin may be needed, typically applied 2-3 times daily for 3-5 days 1. If the rash doesn't improve within a few days or worsens, consult a healthcare provider as prescription-strength treatments might be necessary.
From the FDA Drug Label
Helps treat and prevent diaper rash Protects chafed skin due to diaper rash - helps protect skin from wetness The cause of diaper rash is not explicitly stated in the FDA drug label.
- Wetness is mentioned as a factor that the drug helps protect against, but it is not directly stated as a cause. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Diaper Rash Causes
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided study 2 discusses the effect of ellagic acid on hepatic and pulmonary xenobiotic metabolism in mice, which is not directly related to diaper rash.
- The study 2 focuses on the mechanism of ellagic acid's anticarcinogenic action, and does not provide information on the causes of diaper rash.
- Diaper rash is a common condition that affects infants and toddlers, but the provided evidence does not offer any insights into its causes.
- Further research would be needed to determine the causes of diaper rash, as the available study 2 does not provide relevant information.