Overview
Diaper rash may be caused by chemical irritants rather than bacterial or candidal infection. Common irritants include ammonia from the breakdown of urine, acids in the stool, and soaps used in laundering cloth diapers.
Review Date 8/10/2021
Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.