Diaper rashes occur when the area covered by the diaper becomes irritated. A typical rash is a flat, red rash within the diaper area. The buttock, upper thighs, lower abdomen (stomach), and genitals are the most common areas affected.
There is variation in what a
diaper rash looks like based on how severe it is and what is causing it. In more severe cases, the skin can be painful and the rash raised, thickened, peeling, weeping, and/or bleeding. In other severe cases of diaper rash, blisters, pimples, and open sores may occur within the red area or on the outside of the main rash.
A
yeast diaper rash looks more severe. Some signs and symptoms of a diaper rash infected with yeast include:
- Dark red areas of skin, with or without raised bumps and/or yellow pus-filled blisters
- Smaller areas of rash and/or pus-filled blisters on the outer edges of the main rash.
(Click Diaper Rash Signs and Symptoms for more information on where blisters may appear with diaper rashes, to learn about other possible symptoms, and to find out when a rash may require medical attention.)
