Diaper Rash Pictures & Images to Help Identify Diaper Rash
In order to help you identify different levels of diaper rash and to help you decide how to best care for your baby, we have created the following Diaper Rash Evaluation Guide. The guide may also be used to help you describe the rash more accurately to your pediatrician, if necessary. Your baby may show one or more of the following symptoms under the level below.
Slight Diaper Rash
Faint to definite pinkness over a small area
May be a single raised bump (papule)
May be slight dryness
This baby has some faint pinkness in the diaper area
This baby has some scattered raised bumps (papules)
Mild Diaper Rash
Faint to definite pinkness over a small area
Definite redness over a very small area
Scattered raised bumps (papules)
Moderate dryness/scaling
This baby has an area of pinkness and a few raised bumps (papules)
This baby has an area of faint-to-definite pinkness
Mild to Moderate Diaper Rash
Faint to definite pinkness in a larger area
Definite redness in a small area
Very intense redness in a very small area
Scattered raised bumps (papules)
Moderate dryness/scaling
This baby has definite pinkness in a large areas with some small areas of definite redness. There are also scattered, raised bumps (papules)
This baby has a definite area of redness in the diaper area
Moderate Diaper Rash
Definite redness in a larger area
Very intense redness in a very small area
Single to several areas of papules (raised bumps) with 0-5 raised, fluid containing bumps (pustules)
May have slight peeling
May have swelling (edema)
This baby has intense redness, peeling, raised bumps (papules) and a few fluid-containing bumps (pustules)
Severe Diaper Rash
Very intense redness over a larger area
Severe peeling
Severe swelling (edema)
Some loss of the outer layer of skin and bleeding
May have large, connected areas of raised bumps (papules)
Numerous raised, fluid containing bumps (pustules)
This baby has intense redness and large areas of multiple raised bumps (papules) as well as fluid-containing bumps (pustules)
You should contact your pediatrician if your baby is experiencing moderate to severe or severe diaper rash.
Other types of baby rashes:
Your baby’s rash may be something other than diaper rash, such as a yeast infection, psoriasis or impetigo.
Yeast infection
A yeast infection commonly appears in the skin folds where it is warm and moist. Other common names are a fungal infection or Candida albicans. It usually presents as a swollen red rash with white scales and lesions. They may also appear as small white pus-filled lesions surrounded by redness. In addition to the skin folds, lesions may be found on nearby skin outside the diaper area, such as the thighs or abdomen. These are called satellite lesions, and are usually a common sign of the yeast infection.
The yeast infection may appear alone or it may be in combination with the diaper rash, making the rash worse.
Be sure to call your pediatrician if your baby is showing any of these symptoms, the rash does not heal within 7 days, or heals and then reappears. Your doctor will be able to prescribe the best treatment plan for the yeast infection.
Prevention is the best way to care for a yeast infection. Keeping the diaper area clean, dry and protected helps prevent both diaper rash and yeast infections.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is rare in infants. It presents as red thickened skin with silvery scales that may be itchy or sore and appears on the legs, arms or scalp.
Impetigo
Impetigo appears as yellow brownish crusty patches and/or pus-filled blisters. It is found on the buttocks, lower abdomen and thighs.
Be sure to call your pediatrician if your baby shows any of these symptoms.
How to prevent diaper rash
Find out what steps you can take to help reduce your baby’s chance at getting diaper rash.
