Do you have a concern about diaper rash?
How old are you?
Less than 12 years
Less than 12 years
12 years or older
12 years or older
Are you male or female?
- If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
- If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
- If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.
Do you think your child has a fever?
Do you think you may have a fever?
Are there white patches in the mouth?
Yes
White patches in mouth
Is your child having trouble eating or swallowing?
Yes
Difficulty eating or swallowing
No
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Are you having trouble swallowing?
Has there been a rash in any of the skin folds, such as the neck, underarms, or belly button, for more than 2 days?
Yes
Rash in skin folds for more than 2 days
No
Rash in skin folds for more than 2 days
Do you think the diaper rash may be caused by abuse or neglect?
Yes
Diaper rash may be caused by abuse or neglect
No
Diaper rash may be caused by abuse or neglect
Does the skin look red and raw, like it was scalded or burned?
Yes
Skin looks red and raw
Is diaper rash causing a lot of pain during urination?
Yes
Diaper rash is causing painful urination
No
Diaper rash is causing painful urination
Are any areas of red, raw skin larger than 1 in. (2.5 cm) across?
Yes
Areas of raw skin larger than 1 in. (2.5 cm) across
No
Areas of raw skin larger than 1 in. (2.5 cm) across
Do you think that a medicine may be causing the diaper rash?
For example, antibiotics can lead to a fungal infection and rash in the diaper area.
Yes
Medicine may be causing diaper rash
No
Medicine may be causing diaper rash
Have you tried home treatment for the rash for more than 2 days?
Yes
Home treatment for more than 2 days
No
Home treatment for more than 2 days
Is the rash getting better with home treatment?
Yes
Diaper rash is getter better with home treatment
No
Diaper rash is getter better with home treatment
Is the rash on any other parts of the body?
Yes
Rash on other parts of the body
No
Rash on other parts of the body
Has this type of rash occurred before?
Yes
Has had same rash before
No
Has had same rash before
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
- Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
- Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
Signs that diaper rash may be a fungal infection include:
- A red rash in the skin creases. The rash usually has clear borders and tiny red or pus-filled pimples beyond the borders of the rash.
- A rash in other skin folds, such as the neck, underarms, or belly button.
- White patches in the mouth.
- White discharge from the vagina.
Symptoms of a more serious infection in the diaper area may include:
- Increased pain, swelling, heat, or redness around the rash.
- A fever.
- Clear, fluid-filled blisters that leave red, raw areas when they break open.
- Pus in or draining from the rash.
- Being fussy, upset, and hard to console.
These symptoms usually last more than 2 days (48 hours) without getting better. A milder diaper rash usually will start to improve sooner.
Make an Appointment
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
- Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.
Seek Care Now
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
- Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.