Can Diaper Rash Cause Fever ?

If your baby has a severe bacterial infection they can develop a fever as one of their symptoms

What Is Diaper Rash?

Diaper rash is a common skin condition found on the bottoms of babies, though adults who wear diapers can get it as well. More than half of all babies get diaper rash, most often when they're between the ages of 4 and 15 months. However, the rash can appear at any age a baby wears diapers, usually from birth to 3 years.

Symptoms Of Diaper Rash :- 

• Inflamed skin in the diaper area buttocks, thighs and genitals.

• Itchy, tender skin in the diaper area.

• Sores in the diaper area.

• Discomfort, fussiness or crying, especially during diaper changes.

What Causes Diaper Rash?

• Too much moisture in your baby’s diaper area.

• Heat rash that results from hot weather or from overdressing your baby

• A food sensitivity, which may also cause other symptoms like hives or wheezing

• Chafing or rubbing in their diaper area.

• When pee or poop touch your baby’s skin for long periods of time.
Yeast infection.

• Sleep in poopy diapers

• Start eating solid foods

• Are taking antibiotics or if you take antibiotics and are nursing

• Bacterial infection.

• Allergic reaction to diaper material.
Reaction to food .

Diaper Rash Treatment :- 

• Rinse the diaper area with warm water and pat (not rub) it dry.

• Use soap only if the poop doesn't come off easily.

• If the area is really sore, try a squirt bottle to wash without rubbing sore skin.

• If possible, let your baby's bottom air-dry or use a towel. Don't use talcum powder, which can be harmful if your baby breathes it in.

• Apply a diaper cream or ointment.
Rediaper your baby

When to see a doctor ? 

If the diaper rash hasn't improved after a few days of home treatment, talk with your doctor or other health care professional. You may need prescription medicine to treat diaper rash. Or the rash may have another cause, such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or nutritional deficiency.

Take your child to a doctor or other health care professional for:

• A rash with a fever.
• A rash that's severe or unusual.
• A rash that persists or gets worse despite home care.
• A rash that bleeds, itches or oozes.
• A rash that causes burning or pain when your baby passes urine or stool.

Home Remedies for Diaper Rash

Instead of or along with commercial treatments, some people try home remedies for a diaper rash. But not all of them are effective and some can make the problem worse. Your best bet is to check with your pediatrician before trying a home remedy.

• Breast milk for diaper rash

Applying human breast milk to your baby's bottom is safe, but the jury's out on how effective it is. One study found it worked as well as a mild hydrocortisone ointment. But other research found that a cream that included zinc oxide worked better.

• Cornstarch for diaper rash

Avoid using cornstarch on diaper rash. It can irritate the skin and even infect it. It's also ineffective because it actually holds moisture in.

• Coconut oil for diaper rash

While there's no scientific evidence that coconut oil is effective for a diaper rash, it's a gentle, natural moisturizer. But moisturizing may not be enough to clear up a diaper rash. If you don't see improvements quickly, try diaper rash products that are petroleum- or zinc oxide–based.

• Witch hazel for diaper rash

One study found that an ointment made with the herb witch hazel helped clear diaper rash. But never apply distilled witch hazel directly to rash areas. It's so acidic that it can irritate your baby's skin.

• Baking soda bath for diaper rash

If your baby's bottom is very raw, soak it for 10 minutes in a mixture of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Do it three times a day and apply an antiyeast ointment. But don't put baking soda, or products containing it, directly on the rash.

Diaper Rash Types :-

• Yeast diaper rash

This is caused by overgrowth of a fungus found naturally in the human digestive system. It usually looks like red or pink patches with sharp edges on your baby's bottom. It can also appear as tiny pimples or bumps in the folds of skin around the groin, legs, and genitals. In more serious cases, the skin may be cracked, sore, or bleeding.

• Irritant dermatitis

This is the most common type of diaper rash. It often happens when your baby's skin is irritated by urine and poop in a diaper. Pink or red patches show up on the areas of the body covered by the diaper, like the bottom, but not usually in the skin folds.

• Bacterial diaper rash

Also known as impetigo, this type of rash is caused by bacteria such as staph and strep. You can tell your baby has this by bright red skin around their anus or crusty yellow or oozing pimples in their diaper area.

• Allergic diaper rash

Although this is rare, substances like perfumes or dyes in a soap, detergent, wipe, or even a diaper can cause an allergic reaction. You may see a red rash wherever the product came into contact with your baby's skin.

Prevention :- 

• Remove wet or dirty diapers as soon as you can. If your child is in child care, ask staff members to do the same. Disposable diapers that contain an absorbent gel may help because they draw wetness away from the skin.

• Rinse your baby's bottom with warm water as part of each diaper change.
You can use a sink, tub or water bottle for this purpose. Moist washcloths, cotton balls or baby wipes can aid in cleaning the skin. Be gentle. Some baby wipes can be irritating, so use wipes that don't contain alcohol or fragrance. Or use plain water or water with a mild soap or cleanser.

• Gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel or let it air dry.Don't scrub your baby's bottom. Don't use talcum powder.

• Apply cream, paste or ointment . If your baby gets rashes often, apply a barrier cream, paste or ointment with each diaper change. Petroleum jelly and zinc oxide are the time-proven ingredients in many diaper rash products. If the product you applied at the previous diaper change is clean, leave it in place and add another layer on top of it.

• After changing diapers, wash your hands well. Hand-washing can prevent the spread of bacteria or yeast to other parts of your baby's body, to you and to other children.

• Allow airflow under the diaper. Secure the diaper, but not too tightly. Airflow within the diaper helps the skin. Diapers that are too tight can rub against the skin. Take a break from plastic or tightfitting diaper covers.

• Give your baby's bottom more time without a diaper.When possible, let your baby go without a diaper. Exposing skin to air is a natural and gentle way to let it dry. To avoid messy accidents, try laying your bare-bottomed baby on a large towel and engage in some playtime.

● FAQS :-

1. What Can Help Prevent Diaper Rash?

~} • The best way to prevent diaper rash is to keep your baby's skin as dry and clean as possible. Change diapers often so pee and poop won't irritate the skin. •  Use diaper ointment or paste with every diaper change.

• If you use baby wipes, be sure they're fragrance-free.
• If you use cloth diapers, wash them in dye- and fragrance-free detergent and do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets.

2. What if my baby has a fever and diaper rash?
~} Also get medical care if your baby has a fever, pus is draining from the rash, or if your child is fussier than usual. Depending on what type of rash your baby has, the doctor may choose to use an antifungal cream or an antibiotic cream, or may recommend other changes to your diapering routine.

3. How can you tell if a diaper rash is serious?
~} • When Should I Call the Doctor?
the diaper rash doesn't get better after several days.
• There are pimples, blisters, or open sores in the diaper area.
• Your baby has diarrhea with a fever or looks dehydrated.
• Pus is draining from the rash.
• Your baby seems very uncomfortable.
• your baby has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

4. Can diaper rash turn into infection?
~} Bacterial infection — Impetigo is a bacterial infection that can develop in the diaper area, as well as other areas of the body. It is usually caused by bacteria that normally live on the skin; infection can develop when there is a break in the skin.

5. Can diaper yeast infection cause fever?
~} Let your baby's doctor know if the rash doesn't improve within three days of starting treatment. Also, make an appointment to see the doctor if your child develops a fever, or if the rash develops open sores or oozing yellowish patches. These could mean your child has a bacterial infection and needs an antibiotic.

6. What Should I Do if My Baby Gets Diaper Rash?

~} Try to keep the skin dry.
Whenever possible, let your baby spend time without a diaper. Put your baby in a crib with a waterproof mattress cover or on a towel on the floor.
Check the diaper often and change it as soon as it is wet or soiled.
With each diaper change :Wash your baby's diaper area gently with warm water. When your baby has a diaper rash, try to avoid soaps and baby wipes (these can irritate sore skin).
Let the skin dry fully. Then apply a diaper ointment or paste that contains zinc oxide (such as such as Desitin, Triple Paste, Balmex, or a store brand

7. What rashes cause fever in babies?
~} Several conditions, including chickenpox, fifth disease, and roseola, can cause fever with a rash in a child. It is always best to contact doctor if a child has a fever with a rash. Treatment may include rest and medication.

8. What heals diaper rash fastest?
~} Apply cream, paste or ointment.

9. Is coconut oil good for diaper rash?

~} You might use coconut oil on your own skin, but did you know that you can use it on your baby's diaper rash, too? This wonderful, moisturizing plant oil has antimicrobial properties and may help wound healing and skin barrier function. Gently apply a small amount to your baby's clean, dry skin a few times a day.

10. What is the fastest home remedy for diaper rash?
~} Baking soda: The highly alkaline salts in baking soda help neutralize the acidity and bacteria caused by diaper rash. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with lukewarm water, and apply to your baby's bottom with a soft cloth for instant relief.