Diaper Rash Symptoms
Diaper rash usually comes on quickly, and it affects the areas of baby’s body that are in closest contact with the diaper. While there are some common symptoms of diaper rash, there is wide variation in what diaper rash looks like.
Take a look under your baby’s diaper. If diaper rash is causing the problem, you will see some or all of the following symptoms:
- Pinkness or redness over a small or large area, wherever the diaper touches
- Dry raised bumps (papules)
- Fluid-filled raised bumps (pustules)
- Dryness or peeling/scaling of the skin
- Edema, or swelling
- Affected areas may be warm to the touch
Different Degrees of Diaper Rash
Click thumbnail to see photographic example:
When to Call the Doctor
- Your baby cries in pain when the diaper rash is touched
- Your baby has a fever
- The diaper rash blisters or begins bleeding
- The rash spreads to other parts of the body such as the arms or face
- The rash does not improve in 7 days or subsides and then reoccurs
Always call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your baby or her behavior.
This baby has some faint pinkness in the diaper area
This baby has an area of pinkness and a few raised bumps (papules)
This baby has definite pinkness in a large area with some small areas of definite redness. There are also scattered, raised bumps (papules).
This baby has intense redness, peeling, raised bumps (papules) and a few fluid-containing bumps (pustules). You should contact your pediatrician if your baby is experiencing the following types of rashes, moderate/severe and severe.
This baby has intense redness and large areas of multiple raised bumps (papules) as well as fluid-containing bumps (pustules)
