Help!!! My poor babe has open sores on her front area

[mudder17]

Okay, so we've been battling diaper rash for several days now and in between the genital area and her anus she's had a few spots of rash that started out looking like pimples almost (they were round and red and somewhat raised). The pede said it does not look like yeast. I asked if it could be caused by a food allergy, but they said it's quite unlikely, unless she had something acidic (she hasn't yet), because a food allergy would likely cause rash everywhere, and not just in the diaper area. A couple days ago, there was a little bleeding, but with antibiotics and our prescription rash cream, plus a little lanolin as barrier, it was starting to heal. But last night, for the first time in a long time, she actually pooped everywhere (the apron strings did contain everything) and so she woke up crying to a very poopy diaper. I immediately noticed she was bleeding from several of her spots and of course, when she was not nursing, she was crying.

I actually sprayed her of gently with warm water and let her air dry and that really helped. Then I put the antibiotic ointment, some of the steroidal stuff and some lanolin and I'm now letting her crawl around diaperless, which she enjoys anyway. She's also no longer upset, which means the poopy diaper was definitely exacerbating things, poor babe.

So what can I do to quickly help healing? I'm going to try letting her go diaperless as much as possible today, although I can't do it when she's napping and I'm planning on taking her to a birthday play date for an hour or two. I was thinking of just putting her in a fleece sack coverless at least, during her nap, so maybe I'll do something like that at her play date.

Any other suggestions?

My babe and I thank you in advance!

ETA: On a side note, she's totally amusing herself with my old box of leftover tampons from way back when (well before I was pregnant, so at least 2 years old). I'm watching to make sure she doesn't open any of them up, but she's just having fun taking them out of the box and putting them back in. :) I KNEW they would eventually be good for something, LOL! (I have given away all of my old packages of pads, though I somehow managed to miss this box.)

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[rrosen]

Poor baby! I think your idea of going diaperless is a good one. Gabrielle has only had one really bad diaper rash and it was when she went on a pooping spree. I mixed triple paste with aquaphor and it cleared it up pretty quickly. And I only used a little warm water to clean her. I kept her in a prefold with no cover most of the time.

If the rash does not start getting better and the bleeding continues I would call the ped. Maybe they have another idea.


I hope Kaya feels better soon.

[KrisM]

Poor Kaya. I think that a prefold or fitted without a cover would be almost as good as naked, for the nap. I don't know how to fix the rash. Sorry. I hope she's feeling better soon!

[mudder17]

Okay, she's sleeping right now with a little beetles light with a fleece liner and fleece sack, no extra cover. I warned DH (since I'm at Saturn waiting for the oil to be changed) so he knows that she may be a little damp when he gets her from her nap. I think I'll bring a few diapers to her play date so I can just change her as soon as she's damp and not worry about a cover.

I'll also try the triple paste mixed with aquaphor.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[hlkm2e]

I found that Boudreaux's butt paste was by far the best for my dd's bad rashes. But, it stains. So, I put a liner in the diaper or put her in a sposie at night for a few days with tons of paste.

Also, my dd is obsessed with the tampons, too. I have mine in a plastic see thru box with a lid and she will sit and play with them for like 30 minutes. LOL

[Jeanne]

Eileen,
Her rash sounds similar to the rash that several of my friends have just battled. They dc all ended up having a strep infection. I never knew it could target the genital area but apparently it can. If it doesn't clear up in a week, I would take her back and have her tested for it.

[pittsburghgirl]

The worst rash we had was when James had diarrhea. It would bleed, plus he was pooping every hour or less, he was very unhappy.

I read somewhere about making a paste of Maalox and Aquaphor (triple paste and aquaphor sounds good too.) The theory was the maalox is an acid reducer and it's the acid that is causing the pain. This cream was like magic, it healed his rash very quickly and he stopped crying during changes.

Marilee
mommy to James
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040120/1/1/1/-5/.png

[psresq]

My son has had the same problem w/ blister like sores that look like pimples. The first time I too took him to the pede & antibiotics plus a prescription ointment cleared them up. This last time, the pede told me to put a triple antibiotic ointment (i.e. Neosporin) on the spots, which worked and they cleared up in a day. Unfortunately, new spots showed up again today so I'm trying the Neosporin again. My pede thought it might be some type of skin infection, but I think I'll follow up on it possibly being strep.

[Momof3Labs]

Did you recently introduce cow's milk? Could be a reaction to that - not all babes tolerate cow's milk right away, even after a year. www.askdrsears.com has more info.

[mudder17]

That's a very good question! I've actually been afraid of introducing cow's milk, so I've held off on that. Today, she did have some soup that had a tiny bit of milk added though. I hope that doesn't cause additional problems! Her rash looks a little better this evening, but I've been putting her either in a fleece pocket, a fitted without a cover, or just diaperless today. So I think it's had a chance to do some healing. She did have a bath tonight with lots of baking soda, and I tried to keep the water tepid rather than super warm, just in case the warm temperature exacerbates the rash. After letting her dry, I made a paste of triple paste and aquaphor and pretty much slathered it on. She's in a fleece pocket tonight, so we'll see how she does. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks for all the info--I really hope it's not a strep infection! I've been using the generic neosporin on the open sores ever since we got the bleeding, so hopefully it'll all help. Does anyone know if the steroidal stuff that was prescribed will cause any additional problems? I've tried not to use that more than 2x's a day.

Thanks again!

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[toomanystrollers]

Eileen,

Are the "pimples" clustered and have they spread? Do they look like tiny blisters that get a little bigger and then break open?

[mudder17]

Actually, they look more like cold sores, if that makes any sense. They're not completely circularly either. Some are more oblong.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[LBW]

Sounds like it might be impetigo (the strep/staph skin infection). My son hs it on his upper lip and rear end. It started out with what looked like a bad diaper rash, which was odd because he's never had one. Then he began developing the blister-like sores that you describe. Antibacterial ointment seems to be helping -- we got a prescripton cream. If the cream doesn't work, then an oral 0antibiotic is often prescribed.

[toomanystrollers]

Ok, if they're any family history of cold sores (HSV-1)? b/c it can spread to the genital area. Or a child who may develop a small facial cold-sore can autoinnoculate themselves (like babies grabbing their privates) and spread to the genital area.

I'd run it by your ped - there is a cream and/or oral medication. I can get more details for you.

HTH

ETA: http://www.dermnetnz.org/patient-information.html - lots of great rash pictures!

[mudder17]

Cold sores and canker sores are different, right? One occurs inside the mouth and the other occurs outside the mouth?

I haven't seen anything on her face yet, but maybe she's just been lucky and somehow picked up the infection from somewhere else?

I'll continue using the neosporin, but if it doesn't heal in the next two days, I'll take her into the pede's office (Friday) so they can check for either HSV-1 or Impetigo.

Thanks, Ladies! Kaya has always been prone to rashes, but this definitely looks different. It all started with the stomach virus she picked up from the twins at school, then she got her first yeast infection, and now this...sigh. I guess I should just count my blessings that she's not in day care!


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[Marisa6826]

Eileen-

I know it sounds absolutely crazy, but have you tried dabbing some EBM on the sores? It's supposed to have amazing antibiotic properties. I put some on Mia's baby acne and facial cuts from her sharp nails and they were healed within 24 hours.

Hope Kaya's better soon!

-m

[Marisa6826]

Eileen-

I know it sounds absolutely crazy, but have you tried dabbing some EBM on the sores? It's supposed to have amazing antibiotic properties. I put some on Mia's baby acne and facial cuts from her sharp nails and they were healed within 24 hours.

Hope Kaya's better soon!

-m

[mudder17]

Doh! I forgot all about that! I've done it successfully before, but never thought of it this time! Thanks for the reminder! I'll try that tomorrow. She went coverless almost all of today and during the three poops that she had, I was able to change her almost immediately, so I don't think they had enough time to exacerbate her sores. About mid-day, based on the suggestions here, I made a paste out of triple paste, aquaphor, and my prescription lotion. And I slathered them on, and didn't wipe after a wet diaper unless she was feeling clammy. They definitely look better today, although they're by no means healed and I'm nervous about what might happen if she poops again tonight (she didn't last night so I'm hoping with her three today, she won't go until tomorrow morning).



Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[mudder17]

Doh! I forgot all about that! I've done it successfully before, but never thought of it this time! Thanks for the reminder! I'll try that tomorrow. She went coverless almost all of today and during the three poops that she had, I was able to change her almost immediately, so I don't think they had enough time to exacerbate her sores. About mid-day, based on the suggestions here, I made a paste out of triple paste, aquaphor, and my prescription lotion. And I slathered them on, and didn't wipe after a wet diaper unless she was feeling clammy. They definitely look better today, although they're by no means healed and I'm nervous about what might happen if she poops again tonight (she didn't last night so I'm hoping with her three today, she won't go until tomorrow morning).



Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[squimp]

Not an expert, but you're not supposed to use OTC steroids for too many days in a row. OTC creams are like 1%, and I bet your scrip is more. Here's what I copied from dr sears.com (my rash guru)

"Don't use this for more than several days at a time as long-term use can damage the sensitive skin in the diaper area."

I've always heard this, but never really understood the why (still don't).

Oh and I hope Kaya feels better!

[mudder17]

Thanks for the heads-up. I was wondering about that. I think our diaper rash cream is 0.1% triam....something or other. I am trying not to use it too much though and sticking mostly to triple paste, aquaphor, lanolin, and even the occasional clotrimazole (lotriman). Still, when she's inflamed, it works very well.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[tarahsolazy]

Steroids interfere with DNA transcription, and, becuase of the genes they down-regulate, they cause skin thinning. They can also bleach the pigment out of skin, if used topically.

[squimp]

Thank you Tarah!!!! I have always wanted to know.

What does down regulate mean, in the very simplest terms? I really feel like I am behind the cart on molecular genetics, since it was just starting to be offered when I was in college (I am not that old, but definitely older than most folks on this board).... and I recently published a paper where we used some DNA techniques (PCR), but it is not really my thing.

[signsing]

My son occasionally gets really bad rashes like this. I have found that Gerber Diaper creme is the best. It really stays on and creates a great barrier. It usually clears up pretty quickly with that. I've tried lots of other stuff but this is really thick, and doesn't let the poop touch his skin so he heals well. I have a hard time finding it anywhere besides my Hannaford Grocery though. Also a bath with baking soda is always good for a rash, it really softens the skin. Good luck on this.
HTH
Betsey
Buddy's Mamma 6-10-2003

[emelsea]

How is Kaya today? Everytime I change Gunnar I think of her and hope her tushie is feeling better. Touch wood, we have never had diaper rash issues, so I can't even offer any good advice, just good thoughts that she is healing.

[mudder17]

Aww, thanks for asking. Everyone here has been so nice in offering good suggestions. Fortunately, it was nothing so bad as impetigo or cold sores, so I'm very glad about that! It's definitely healing, although she's still sensitive to me putting stuff on one of her sores. The rest looks much much better though! Unfortunately, Kaya has inherited DH's sensitive skin. He has to be very picky about how he shaves (electric razor with lots of lotions) or he really breaks out in rashes/acne. Fortunately his current system seems to be working very well!


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040222/0/0/1/-5/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif
12M checkup: 31", 18.8 lbs, 47 cm head

[tarahsolazy]

Well, there are promoter sequences in the DNA that are located right next to the real genes. Stuff can bind to those promoters, and turn them on, or upregulate them, which kick starts the gene into getting expressed. Other stuff can bind to them also, and turn them off, making the genes stop getting expressed. Its the way that our bodies turn genes on and off when we need to. Steroids sort of short circuit that in some genes.