Can diaper rash be caused by teething? Excess saliva from teething is swallowed and can loosen stools, while the skin in the diaper area is still thin and easily irritated. Loose stools start appearing around 6 months when the first teeth come in. Skin irritation from frequent stool contact is common at this stage and resolves quickly with proper barrier care and frequent diaper changes. However, a rash lasting more than a few days or showing signs of infection needs medical attention. Find out what causes it, how to treat it fast, and when to call your pediatrician.
Table of Contents
Can Diaper Rash Be Caused By Teething? Most Parents Get This Wrong
Teething does not directly cause diaper rash, so when people ask whether teething cause diaper rash, the more accurate answer is no. But during the teething process, babies drool more and may swallow excess saliva; that extra saliva can upset the digestive tract and contribute to loose stools. Frequent loose stools irritate the skin in the diaper area and trigger a rash.
This phase typically begins around six months, when baby teeth start coming in as a normal part of baby’s development.
Common symptoms can include irritability, swollen gums, and, in some infants, sleep disturbances, though symptoms vary widely.
Diaper rash may also appear alongside drool, and a cold teething toy or teething rings can help soothe a baby’s gums. So teething and diaper rash happen around the same time, but the rash comes from skin irritation, not teething itself.
What Is Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash is usually irritant diaper rash, a common irritant dermatitis in the diaper area caused by contact with irritating substances such as urine and stool.1
Studies suggest it affects about 7% to 35% of babies, and it happens most often when babies are around 9 to 12 months old.2
It shows up as red or pink patches on the skin. Diarrhea can increase the risk of diaper rash because extra moisture and stool contact irritate the skin more quickly. In mild cases, you see light redness. In more severe cases, the skin may have open sores or feel raw to the touch. Babies with sensitive skin get it more often.
If a baby develops this rash repeatedly after certain wipes, diapers, or creams, an allergic reaction may be involved.
A wet or soiled diaper left on too long is a major risk factor for baby’s diaper rash. This common rash is different from a yeast infection or bacterial infection; for example, a strep infection can cause diaper rash and may show up as bright red skin.
| Feature | Irritant Rash During Teething | Yeast Diaper Rash | Bacterial Diaper Rash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical trigger | Often shows up during teething when loose, more frequent stools and moisture irritate the skin. | Often appears after antibiotics or when a regular rash has been there for a while, allowing yeast to overgrow. | Can follow broken skin from a bad rash, with bacteria entering and infecting the area. |
| Color / look | Red or pink patches where the diaper touches, usually flat, may spare deep skin folds. | Bright red, raw patches with sharp edges, often in the folds, plus “satellite” red spots around the main rash. | Very red, sore areas with yellow scabs, pustules, or oozing spots; can look like impetigo or boils. |
| Skin folds | May or may not involve folds; often worst on the areas that touch the diaper most. | Commonly involves skin folds in the groin and between the thighs. | Can involve folds, but key signs are sores, crusting, or pus. |
| Symptoms | Redness and discomfort that improve when you keep skin clean, dry, and protected with barrier cream. | Redness often does not improve, or worsens, with standard barrier cream alone. | Rash can be painful, may look wet, crusty, or have draining spots. |
| Treatment | Frequent changes, gentle cleaning, air time, and thick barrier cream usually help within a few days. | Needs an antifungal cream (for example, nystatin, clotrimazole) in addition to good diaper care. | Often needs prescription antibiotic cream or oral antibiotics, plus usual diaper care. |
| Fever | No fever in most simple irritant rashes. If fever appears, see a doctor. | Usually no fever unless there is another illness at the same time. | Fever can occur with deeper or spreading infection and always needs medical review. |
Not sure if your baby’s rash needs a doctor tonight?
Avocado Health is always available. No app. No waitlist.
- Help knowing when to wait, when to worry, and when to see a doctor
- Instant answers at 2am when your child is sick and you can’t reach a doctor
- Evidence-based answers from a team of pediatric and parenting experts
- Works in all languages, on any phone, any network. No app download, no login, no Wi-Fi needed
How Long Does Diaper Rash Last​?
The duration of diaper rash can vary depending on the severity of the rash and how promptly it is treated. Mild cases of diaper rash often clear up within a few days when proper care is taken, such as frequent diaper changes, keeping the skin clean and dry, and applying barrier creams. However, if the rash is more severe or caused by an infection like yeast or bacteria, it may take longer to heal and require medical treatment.2
How To Treat Diaper Rash?
Change diapers often, clean the area gently, let the skin dry fully, put on a new diaper, and apply a diaper rash cream after every change so it acts as a protective barrier.3
Here is how to get rid of diaper rash step by step:
1. Change wet or dirty diapers right away
If pee or poop stays on your baby’s skin, it can break down the top layer of the skin and cause a burning feeling.
A regular diaper change routine helps keep your baby’s skin clean and dry, giving the rash a chance to heal instead of getting worse.
2. Clean gently with water or mild wipes
Using warm water or gentle, fragrance-free alcohol free wipes helps clean away pee and poop without adding harsh chemicals.
This helps lower irritation and stinging, and alcohol free products are less likely to sting or further irritate the area, so your baby feels more comfortable with each diaper change.
3. Pat dry, do not rub
Rubbing sore skin can scrape it and cause tiny tears.
Patting the skin dry with a soft cloth or letting it air-dry helps keep it calm and can reduce pain and redness.
4. Use a thick layer of barrier cream
Use a diaper cream with zinc oxide or petroleum jelly as a barrier, like a raincoat for your baby’s skin.
They keep moisture and irritants away from the rash, so the skin can heal underneath.
5. Give diaper‑free time
When your baby is without a diaper, air can reach the rash and help dry up extra moisture.
This helps the skin repair itself and can often make the rash go away faster.
6. Use breathable diapers
Breathable diapers let air in and help reduce heat and sweat.
With less heat and moisture, there is less friction and irritation on your baby’s sensitive skin.
If teething discomfort is adding to the fussiness, cold teething toys can soothe a baby’s gums, and over-the-counter pain medicines should only be used with medical guidance.
If the rash worsens, does not improve, or shows signs of infection, contact your child’s healthcare provider or another medical professional, who may recommend prescription medication, and follow the instructions carefully.
How To Prevent Diaper Rash​?
Change diapers frequently, keep the area clean and dry at every change, and apply a barrier cream before a rash starts.
These habits lower the risk:
- Change your baby’s diaper as soon as it becomes wet, and replace any soiled diaper promptly.
- Clean the area gently after every change and let it dry fully before putting on a fresh diaper.
- Apply zinc oxide or petroleum jelly as a protective ointment at every change, not just when a rash appears.
- Choose breathable diapers and avoid overly tight ones that trap moisture.
- Skip talcum powder and scented products. They can trigger allergic reactions.
- Pay attention to the groin folds. Moisture collects there and is easy to miss.
What some parents call teething diaper rash is usually still irritation from stool, moisture, or friction rather than teething alone.
Teething rash or drool rash affects saliva-exposed skin, which is different from a diaper-area rash.
If the rash lasts more than a few days, gets worse, or shows signs of infection, see a doctor promptly.
Conclusion
Teething does not directly cause diaper rash, but extra saliva can lead to loose stools that irritate the skin. Diaper rash happens when the skin stays wet or comes into contact with stool for long periods. Changing diapers often and using barrier creams help prevent and heal diaper rash quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does vaseline help diaper rash?
Yes, Vaseline, which is a brand of petroleum jelly, can help soothe and protect a baby’s irritated skin during diaper rash. It acts as a barrier that seals out moisture, preventing further irritation from urine and stool in the diaper area. Applying a thick layer of Vaseline after cleaning and drying the skin can keep the area dry and promote healing. However, while Vaseline is effective for mild cases, it does not contain active ingredients like zinc oxide that can help treat more severe rashes.
Do baths help diaper rash​?
Yes, baths can help soothe diaper rash by gently cleansing the baby’s diaper area and providing relief from irritation. Giving your baby a warm bath allows you to clean the skin thoroughly without the friction that can occur during diaper changes. It is best to use lukewarm water and avoid soaps or bubble baths that contain fragrances or harsh chemicals, as these can further irritate sensitive skin.