Can You Put Neosporin On A Diaper Rash? (Treatment Option For Bacterial Diaper Rash)

Neosporin is a potent antibacterial cream that shouldn’t be used on babies below 2 years old without consulting a doctor. It’s a cream that should only be used if the rash is bacterial. Most diaper rashes can be treated by changing diapers frequently, keeping the area dry, and freeing your baby of diaper for some time each day. The nature of the rash can only be diagnosed when a pediatrician observes the situation. Using a triple antibiotic cream like Neosporin can worsen the current inflammation as neomycin, an ingredient of this cream, commonly causes an allergic reaction. For a severe rash, immediately seek medical attention. 

Among the things that are bound to happen to your baby, diaper rash is a common issue.

Diapered up all day long, your little one can easily suffer from inflamed skin rash. Mostly appear because there are infrequent diaper changes and not proper care is taken of the baby’s bum.

It’s annoying for your little one to go through it, and it makes them irritated, but a few simple steps can treat this diaper rash right away.

When it comes to home remedies, you don’t know which one to follow or trust, so choosing to go with cream seems the safest option.

Neosporin is known for treating bacterial infections, so can it really make your baby’s diaper rash disappear? 

Diaper rash in infants and babies

It’s common for babies and infants to experience rashes caused by wearing diapers.

It’s not rare because their skin is so sensitive that even a tiny delay in changing a diaper on time can cause such a rash to appear.

It can cause red splotches and scales to appear in the genital area and on your baby’s bottom.

Though it starts on a small scale, if you’re ignorant of the situation, it can turn into a real problem for the baby spreading on their legs too.

There could be many factors behind the appearance of this mild rash, causing dry skin, including:

  • Tight diapers
  • Sensitive skin
  • Moist skin
  • Dirty diaper left unchanged for long
  • Irritated skin
  • Antibiotics
  • Introducing new foods

Treating diaper rash with Neosporin

A mom is treating her toddler son's diaper rash with some diaper rash ointment.

As quickly it appears, this rash can go away with a few days of proper treatment if parents notice the issue in the initial days.

But it may linger and can become severe if ignored. Then you might have to consult your pediatrician for proper medication.

The initial treatment is to keep the area dry and clean, changing the diapers frequently and letting the affected area breathe a little.

But even after doing all this doesn’t change the situation and the rash doesn’t disappear, other treatments like applying ointments might help.

Creams such as Neosporin are only helpful when there’s a bacterial infection. You can’t know if that’s the case, so applying this cream can make things worse. 

Antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin consist of neomycin, polymyxin, or bacitracin which shouldn’t be used for the rash unless the doctor recommends it. 

Neosporin is a brand of triple antibiotic ointment and contains bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B sulfate.

Neomycin is the real problem as it often causes an allergic reaction to the skin called contact dermatitis, and it can cause the rash to worsen and become red, scaly, and itchy.

It should absolutely not be used on babies younger than 2 years old without consulting your doctor. 

This can only be decided by your pediatrician. If they determine the rash is bacterial, they might prescribe Neosporin for your baby.

For fungal infection, it can only become better by using antifungal cream.

Another cream that can make things better is using mild hydrocortisone. For yeast infection, Lotrimin is a popular choice.

These creams and ointments are to be used if prescribed by the doctor, for you don’t know what might react with the little one’s sensitive condition.

Also, avoid creams and ointments containing baking soda, boric acid, camphor, phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine, or salicylates. 

What does a bacterial diaper rash look like?

A dad lays down his toddler son on a changing table to start changing his diaper and treating his diaper rash with some ointment.

It’s worrisome for any parent to know their baby is suffering, and if it’s from a common issue such as diaper rash, you want to find the treatment quickly.

But using home remedies or any random cream might worsen the situation in certain cases.

Diaper rashes are of different types, such as bacterial or fungal in nature.

If you end up using a bacterial ointment for fungal rash, it can make the situation worse for your child. Careful observation is required from the pediatrician.

A bacterial rash shows bright red skin around the baby’s anus, whereas a staph infection may appear as yellow crusting, weeping, or pimples. 

Other alternative treatments for diaper rash

Following some simple rules can get rid of the rash within a couple of days before the condition worsens and becomes more severe for your baby.

Doing a few things and following simple rules can eliminate the annoying rash.

Effective treatment options are relatively easy to follow and include:

  1. Allowing some free time from the diapers is necessary to let the area breathe out. When you’re at home, try freeing your child for some time.
  2. Keep the area clean and dry. The moist area develops a rash quickly. Wipe the area clean with a towel whenever you wash that area.
  3. Change the disposable diapers timely. New parents might have trouble knowing when their infants have filled up their diapers unless they start crying. Even if slightly wet, frequent diaper changes can reduce the rash.
  4. Try using reusable cloth diapers.
  5. Find the right size of diapers for your baby, and don’t wrap them up too tightly. 
  6. If it’s an infant, then use cotton balls dipped in warm water and squeezed to clean the area well.

Creams and ointments such as Neosporin are to be only applied when your pediatrician asks you to do so. You never know what might make things worse, so always seek professional advice.

Some other treatment options parents use are petroleum jelly and zinc oxide to act as a barrier from moisture.

FAQs

How do you get rid of diaper rash in 24 hours?

Healing of diaper rash has no time limit, and the only thing under your control is to recognize the inflammation in its initial stage to help treat it faster. 

Once you start treating it in its initial stage, it can heal faster. Stop using baby wipes as they can be irritating on the skin.

Instead, use plain water to wash your baby’s bottom. When you’re done, just pat it dry with a towel. 

Also, give more open time to your baby and try not using a diaper all the time. Sometimes changing the diaper brand is also helpful.

Some remedies include applying petroleum jelly and zinc oxide to protect the skin from moisture.

Does Vaseline help diaper rash?

Vaseline can prove to be soothing to your child’s affected area. It creates a barrier from moisture when your baby is wearing a diaper.

The wetness won’t affect the rash as much, and it helps heal the rash faster.

Coconut oil also provides the same effect as Vaseline. Try giving more diaper-free time to your baby to help them heal faster.

What causes sudden diaper rash?

Sudden diaper rash is evident in babies who are suffering from diarrhea.

The baby’s diaper is frequently changed, but their skin gets moist repeatedly by being washed.

The more it’s washed, the more it’s wiped by a baby wipe, and a new diaper takes place, making the skin around the bum chafe or irritate.

If you’re tightening the diaper too much, that also contributes to developing a rash. Try changing the diaper brand. 

Can diaper cream make the rash worse?

When applying diaper cream, try using as much as you can.

After cleaning up and wiping the bum, a thick layer of this cream can help act as a barrier between the skin and the diaper.

This will prevent any kind of chafing and keep the skin protected against the rash.

Don’t worry, and apply this cream generously after each diaper change. Ensure that your baby’s skin is wiped dry by patting it down with a towel, so no moisture is trapped. 

What does a fungal diaper rash look like?

A fungal diaper rash can appear as a deep red or purple raised patch of skin or as bumps or tiny fluid-filled pimples.

Even a typical diaper rash can develop into a fungal or bacterial if initial treatment isn’t done. 

To summarise

Your baby or infant’s skin is sensitive, and even the slightest issues with diapers can make a rash appear in the groin area and surrounding skin.

It’s common for babies to develop a rash, and a few days of careful treatment can solve the issue quickly.

Neosporin is a strong cream that shouldn’t be used on babies below 2 years without consulting a doctor. If someone suggests, you shouldn’t because it might make the rash worse for your baby.

This cream is to be used only if the rash is bacterial in nature and can only be diagnosed by your pediatrician.

Changing diapers frequently, using cloth diapers, airing out the area, and keeping it dry can help with a mild rash. 

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As a writer for 1happykiddo, Saumya wants to help new parents and older siblings help raise the newest member added to the family. Her parenting tips come from her experience of being 15 years older than her youngest sibling. When not writing, you can find her reading novels, traveling, and cooking nutritious meals.

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