Desperate help for bizarre rash!

SethandSara

I'm kind of at my wit's end and am hoping that some of you can help! We started using cloth in May and my son developed a rash within the first couple of weeks.  It's a dry, bright red, itchy rash where the waist of his diaper rubs.  We've tried so many things to get rid of this and are about to give up on cloth. We've changed detergents from Planet, to RNG, to Tide F&C, to Econuts and even played around with the amount of detergent we used. We stopped using Bac-Out, and I make sure to rinse like 6 times before taking them out of the wash. We suspected it was yeast, but I even put them in a steam cycle in the washing machine and it didn't help.  We have  a front loader HE machine and my baby has SUPER sensitive, eczema prone skin.  We have a variety of diapers: prefolds, hemp, goodmama, Bum Genius, Thirsties and it happens with all of them.  The dermatologist said it was some type of "dermatitis" and gave us some cream to put on it, but I think it's potent stuff and I don't want to just treat the symptoms. I want to get rid of the rash all together. i have no idea what to do! Does anyone have any suggestions? TIA!

NicoleR524

IF it is yeast, the steam cycle won't help - you need to do a bleach wash.  1/4 cup bleach with a regular size load and either rebleach until the rash goes away or use disposables. 

But, if a dermatologist looked at it and didn't say it was yeast, then I would guess its not.  Other things I would try are to have lots of naked time.  I have had DS sit bottomless with just a shirt and babylegs, on one of those changing pads.  I also would make sure that the entire diaper area is dry when you put a diaper on.  I would try aquaphor and california baby calendula cream, only because those two have worked amazingly for us and different types of rashes.  Also, something that worked super quickly for us is acidophilus powder - this is known to treat any type of fungus/bacteria.  I gave him a little orally with his food but also made a paste and put it directly on the rash.  It's very sticky so be prepared for that - I would put a liner over the area where I put the paste and it was almost glued to him, it didn't hurt or bother him though. 

He may also be reacting to foods, maybe change his diet or add yogurt and kefir (both contain bacteria killing acidophilus).

Has your pedi said anything about it?

Good luck!