The rash usually starts when a wet diaper rubs your child's skin. Urine and stool sitting in the diaper for a long time also can cause a rash, as can diarrhea. Hot, humid weather can make the rash worse. Allergies to soap, fabric softener, lotion, or powder are another possible cause. These chemicals can irritate the child's skin and cause diaper rash.
Diaper rash can develop from either cloth or disposable diapers.
Your child's diaper area may be red, raw, spotty-looking, cracked, painful, and itchy. Keep your child's diaper area clean and dry to help the area heal. Check your child's diaper about once an hour. Wake the child up one time during the night to change the diaper until the rash improves. Change the diaper right away if it is wet or soiled from a bowel movement.