Diaper rash type sores

Emi2 · 05-15-2002, 03:07 PM

I've got a diaper rash type of sore area on the inside of my thigh. I think it's from either not drying enough, or wearing a skirt (or a combo of the two). How should I treat this? I put zinc cream (that thick white stuff) or Duoderm cream (because I can't make up my mind which to use) and try to expose the area to air as much as possible. I'm scared that this will turn into a pressure sore (just from being pressed against the opposite thigh). When should I really get worried? Am I treating it right?

"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible
to find it elsewhere."
--Agnes Repplier, writer and historian

SCI-Nurse · 05-15-2002, 05:37 PM

Emi -- Do you have frequent urinary incontinence in your diaper and/or go long periods without changing it? I would first rule out that it is not a fungal or candida type of rash. If it is then it would best be treated with Nystatin powder or cream. If it is not fungal, then sometimes the use of a good barrier ointment might do the trick. We use ProShield ointment here but I know that many medical supply houses and pharmacies carry some type of barrier cream to protect from excessive urinary incontinence or moisture.

If this is a rash you have had for more than 3 days I would call your PM&R doctor or nurse so that then can rule out a fungal rash first. Once that is ruled out, try the barrier cream. Try not to put any "sticky" type dressings over the raw, red area. It may end up pulling the skin off and making it worse. PLG

Emi2 · 05-15-2002, 09:30 PM

The thing is: I never wear any padding. I am never ( cross my fingers) incontinent unless I have a UTI. I'll stick to the barrier cream or now I guess. Hopeully it clears up.
One question though: in rehab they taught me to chck rd area's to see if they blanche. is this really a good way to keep tabs on red area's?

"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible
to find it elsewhere."
--Agnes Repplier, writer and historian

SCI-Nurse · 05-16-2002, 02:34 PM

Emi -- Checking for blanching may be one good way of checking for the presence of a stage I sore. This type of sore is one that usually stays red for 15-30 minutes even after pressure is removed from the site and persists for 24 hours or more. Blanching the area with a depressed finger would be a test to see if the area returns to red after the finger pressure is removed. If you were able to blanch it, it would turn white or to a lighter color. I usually do not practice this test too often so that further pressure is not placed on the area.

If a reddened area persists (usually over a bony prominence) it is more than likely a Stage I sore. The best treatment is to keep pressure off the site until it is gone. Avoid rubbing the area directly as this can often make it worse. It is OK to massage around it. It is OK to put barrier ointment or cream on and around the site gently. Reddened areas can also occur due to friction burns from padding or clothing or from constant moisture to the site. Again, I would still make sure it is not fungal. Besides urinary incontinence, sweat could set up a good medium for fungal growth. PLG

nate007 · 05-16-2002, 05:03 PM

Get it. For a month i had the same thing on the upper-inner region of my thighs and neither baby powder nor zinc cream did a thing. After two weeks with this stuff it was completely gone. I had to go to the doc to get it though, i'm not sure what you'll need to do in Alberta. It's just an anti-fungal cream which i think should be OTC but whatever.

ChesBay · 05-18-2002, 11:04 PM

Two things I have found helpful over the years for rashes:

1. When sleeping at night I put a pillow between knees high enough so the area is getting a lot of air and remains dry. It usually helps it to go away fast.

2. This may sound a bit dangerous but it has really stopped me from getting any rashs in the groind area.

I shower each morning and then get back on the bed to get dressed and completely dry. While drying off I use a hair dryer and towel to get the groind / thigh area completey dry.

Of course you have to watch the heat ( medium setting) and beware of burns. It has never been a problem and has virtually eliminated rash problems for a few years now.

Van Quad · 05-19-2002, 06:01 PM

I'd definitely check out an anti-fungal.

I was plagued for a year with a mystery rash that was cleared up in days by a smart dermatologist and his anti-fungal cream.

rbyrd49100 · 05-19-2002, 06:39 PM

Steve had a similar type rash that I battled for the longest time..finally cleared it up using Domboro solution as a poultace type soak every morning for several days

Russ Byrd

reedyd · 10-23-2004, 10:25 AM

Regular Cornstarch has worked well for me. Also try to get ahold of some Carrington Anti-fungal cream. Great stuff

SCI-Nurse · 10-23-2004, 10:39 AM

Hopefully in the two years since she posted, Emi has found a solution for her rash!

(KLD)

05-15-2002, 03:07 PM	#1
Emi2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,205	Diaper rash type sores I've got a diaper rash type of sore area on the inside of my thigh. I think it's from either not drying enough, or wearing a skirt (or a combo of the two). How should I treat this? I put zinc cream (that thick white stuff) or Duoderm cream (because I can't make up my mind which to use) and try to expose the area to air as much as possible. I'm scared that this will turn into a pressure sore (just from being pressed against the opposite thigh). When should I really get worried? Am I treating it right? "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." --Agnes Repplier, writer and historian

05-15-2002, 05:37 PM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,361	diaper rash type of sore Emi -- Do you have frequent urinary incontinence in your diaper and/or go long periods without changing it? I would first rule out that it is not a fungal or candida type of rash. If it is then it would best be treated with Nystatin powder or cream. If it is not fungal, then sometimes the use of a good barrier ointment might do the trick. We use ProShield ointment here but I know that many medical supply houses and pharmacies carry some type of barrier cream to protect from excessive urinary incontinence or moisture. If this is a rash you have had for more than 3 days I would call your PM&R doctor or nurse so that then can rule out a fungal rash first. Once that is ruled out, try the barrier cream. Try not to put any "sticky" type dressings over the raw, red area. It may end up pulling the skin off and making it worse. PLG

05-16-2002, 02:34 PM	#4
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,361	diaper rash type sore Emi -- Checking for blanching may be one good way of checking for the presence of a stage I sore. This type of sore is one that usually stays red for 15-30 minutes even after pressure is removed from the site and persists for 24 hours or more. Blanching the area with a depressed finger would be a test to see if the area returns to red after the finger pressure is removed. If you were able to blanch it, it would turn white or to a lighter color. I usually do not practice this test too often so that further pressure is not placed on the area. If a reddened area persists (usually over a bony prominence) it is more than likely a Stage I sore. The best treatment is to keep pressure off the site until it is gone. Avoid rubbing the area directly as this can often make it worse. It is OK to massage around it. It is OK to put barrier ointment or cream on and around the site gently. Reddened areas can also occur due to friction burns from padding or clothing or from constant moisture to the site. Again, I would still make sure it is not fungal. Besides urinary incontinence, sweat could set up a good medium for fungal growth. PLG

05-16-2002, 05:03 PM	#5
nate007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Winnipeg, manitoba, canada Posts: 667	Lamasil Get it. For a month i had the same thing on the upper-inner region of my thighs and neither baby powder nor zinc cream did a thing. After two weeks with this stuff it was completely gone. I had to go to the doc to get it though, i'm not sure what you'll need to do in Alberta. It's just an anti-fungal cream which i think should be OTC but whatever.

05-18-2002, 11:04 PM	#6
ChesBay Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Norfolk, Virginia Posts: 1,130	keeping the area dry Two things I have found helpful over the years for rashes: 1. When sleeping at night I put a pillow between knees high enough so the area is getting a lot of air and remains dry. It usually helps it to go away fast. 2. This may sound a bit dangerous but it has really stopped me from getting any rashs in the groind area. I shower each morning and then get back on the bed to get dressed and completely dry. While drying off I use a hair dryer and towel to get the groind / thigh area completey dry. Of course you have to watch the heat ( medium setting) and beware of burns. It has never been a problem and has virtually eliminated rash problems for a few years now.

05-15-2002, 09:30 PM	#3
Emi2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,205	The thing is: I never wear any padding. I am never ( cross my fingers) incontinent unless I have a UTI. I'll stick to the barrier cream or now I guess. Hopeully it clears up. One question though: in rehab they taught me to chck rd area's to see if they blanche. is this really a good way to keep tabs on red area's? "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." --Agnes Repplier, writer and historian

05-19-2002, 06:01 PM	#7
Van Quad Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 5,497	I'd definitely check out an anti-fungal. I was plagued for a year with a mystery rash that was cleared up in days by a smart dermatologist and his anti-fungal cream.

05-19-2002, 06:39 PM	#8
rbyrd49100 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 516	Rash Steve had a similar type rash that I battled for the longest time..finally cleared it up using Domboro solution as a poultace type soak every morning for several days Russ Byrd

10-23-2004, 10:25 AM	#9
reedyd Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 620	Regular Cornstarch has worked well for me. Also try to get ahold of some Carrington Anti-fungal cream. Great stuff

10-23-2004, 10:39 AM	#10
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,361	Hopefully in the two years since she posted, Emi has found a solution for her rash! (KLD)

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