Does Teething Cause Diaper Rash? What Parents Should Know

No. Teething does not cause diaper rash. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains in its teething guidance that teething doesn't change the way a baby's gut works or make the skin under the diaper more sensitive, so any diaper rash you see is a reaction to something else. So why do so many parents connect the two? Teething, starting solid foods, and catching more colds and stomach bugs all tend to happen around the same age, and those other changes can lead to loose stools and diaper rash. This guide explains what really causes diaper rash, how to treat and prevent it, the true signs of teething, and when loose stools or a fever mean it's time to call your pediatrician.

Does Teething Cause Diaper Rash?

No. Teething does not cause diaper rash. The AAP's teething guidance also says teething doesn't cause diarrhea and doesn't change how your baby's gut works or make the skin under the diaper more sensitive, so any diaper rash you see is a reaction to something else.

One study tracked the symptoms of 125 babies every day as their teeth came in. Loose stools and rashes anywhere other than the face were no more common in the days around a new tooth than at other times (Macknin 2000). Many parents believe teething causes loose stools or diaper rash, but research hasn't shown that it does.

You may have read that swallowed drool changes a baby's stool and leads to diarrhea and diaper rash. That idea isn't supported by the evidence, and it's the part of the old advice we're correcting here. Extra drool can irritate the skin it touches, but that's the skin around the mouth and chin, not the skin under a diaper.

Why Do Teething and Diaper Rash Seem Connected?

If teething isn't the cause, why do so many parents notice a rash right when the teeth come in? It comes down to timing. A lot of normal changes happen around the same age.

Teething usually starts around 6 months. Most babies get their first tooth between 6 and 12 months, and some have none by their first birthday. That same window is full of other changes that really can cause loose stools or a rash:

• Starting solid foods changes what's in your baby's poop and can make stools more frequent. Both can make diaper rash more likely.
• Babies this age put everything in their mouths. That means they pick up more germs, and some of those germs cause diarrhea. Teething itself doesn't weaken the immune system. It's the mouthing that brings in more germs.
• Antibiotics can cause diarrhea or a yeast rash. Babies this age often get antibiotics for ear infections, which can loosen stool or let yeast overgrow and cause a diaper rash.

Diarrhea from any of these causes can irritate the skin under a diaper. That's the kernel of truth behind the old belief: diarrhea really does raise the risk of diaper rash. The part that isn't true is teething being the thing that causes the diarrhea.

Drooling can cause a real rash too, but it shows up around the mouth, chin, cheeks, neck, and chest, where drool collects, not in the diaper area. And drooling isn't only a teething sign: a baby's saliva glands ramp up around 2 to 3 months, and drool flows freely from about 2 months to 18 months, well before and after teeth arrive.

What Actually Causes Diaper Rash?

Diaper rash has causes of its own, and none of them is teething. The most common ones are:

• Wetness and moisture. Skin that stays wet against a diaper for too long gets irritated.
• Contact with stool or urine. This is especially true during bouts of diarrhea.
• Friction. Diapers or clothing that rub, or that are too snug.
• New foods. Introducing solids changes stool and can trigger a rash.
• Irritating products. Some wipes, soaps, detergents, and fabric softeners bother sensitive skin.
• Yeast or bacterial infection. A yeast rash is bright red, often with small red spots at the edges, and may follow a course of antibiotics.

What Are the Real Signs of Teething?

Teething is real, and it does have signs. According to the AAP's teething guidance, they're just not diarrhea, diaper rash, or a true fever. The genuine signs include:

• Drooling
• Sore, swollen, or tender gums
• An increased urge to bite and chew on hard objects
• Mild fussiness in the few days before and after a tooth comes in
• A slight rise in temperature that stays within the normal range (not a true fever)

Here's what teething does not cause: diarrhea, a true fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or a diaper-area rash. Because these often happen in the same months as teething, it's easy to blame the teeth, but they point to something else going on.

How Do I Treat and Prevent Diaper Rash?

Most diaper rashes clear up at home with gentle care. The goal is to keep the skin clean, dry, and protected.

• Change diapers often. A fresh, dry diaper is the best defense. Change as soon as it's wet or soiled.
• Clean gently. Use warm water or fragrance-free, alcohol-free wipes. Pat the skin, don't scrub.
• Let the skin dry. Pat dry or let the area air dry before putting on a new diaper.
• Use a barrier cream. Apply a thick layer of a zinc oxide or petroleum jelly cream, like icing on a cupcake, to protect the skin.
• Give some diaper-free time. Let your baby go without a diaper for short periods each day so the skin can breathe.
• Skip talcum powder. Don't use talcum powder on your baby.

If your baby's doctor recommends it, a mild hydrocortisone cream may help, but only use it if your pediatrician tells you to, and follow their directions.

How Can I Safely Soothe a Teething Baby?

If your baby is uncomfortable while teething, a few simple, safe steps can help:

• Offer a chilled (not frozen) teething toy or ring. Something firm and rubbery is easiest for sore gums.
• Gently rub your baby's gums with a clean finger.
• Wipe drool from the mouth and chin during the day to protect that skin from a drool rash.

For pain, talk with your pediatrician before giving any medicine.

• If your baby seems very uncomfortable, ask your pediatrician whether acetaminophen (Tylenol) is right for them, and ask for the correct dose for your baby's weight.
• Don't give ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to babies younger than 6 months unless your pediatrician tells you to.

When Should I Call My Pediatrician?

Trust your instincts, and don't let "it's probably teething" delay a call when something seems off.

Call your pediatrician right away if:

• Your baby is 3 months of age or younger and has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
• Your baby has diarrhea with signs of dehydration, like fewer than six wet diapers a day, a dry mouth, fewer tears, a sunken soft spot, or being unusually sleepy.

Call your pediatrician if:

• Your baby has diarrhea that lasts more than a day, you see blood in the stool, or your baby won't eat or drink. Diarrhea can be a sign of infection, not teething.
• Your baby has a true fever. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is not from teething.
• A diaper rash isn't getting better, or is getting worse, after 2 to 3 days of home care.
• You see blisters, pus, oozing, or crusty sores in the rash.
• Your baby is on an antibiotic and gets a bright red rash with red spots at the edges.
• The rash seems very painful.
• Your baby has a fever along with the rash.

When Should I Start a Blueberry Visit?

For a diaper rash that isn't improving, or loose stools you're not sure about, a Blueberry visit can help you decide what to do next, often from your own couch.

With Blueberry Pediatrics, you get 24/7 access to board-certified pediatricians from home. Our team can look at the rash with you, talk through home care, and help you decide whether your baby needs to be seen in person. It's a simple way to get answers without an unnecessary trip to urgent care.

A virtual visit is not a replacement for emergency care. If your baby is 3 months of age or younger with a fever, or seems very sick, call your pediatrician right away or seek in-person care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teething and Diaper Rash

Does teething cause diaper rash?

No. The AAP's teething guidance says teething doesn't change how your baby's gut works or make the skin under the diaper more sensitive, so any diaper rash is a reaction to something else. The two often show up at the same age by coincidence.

Does teething cause diarrhea or loose stools?

Research hasn't shown that teething causes diarrhea. Loose stools during the teething months usually come from starting solids, more germs, or antibiotics. Call your pediatrician right away if a baby with diarrhea shows signs of dehydration, like fewer wet diapers. Otherwise, call if it lasts more than a day or you see blood in the stool.

Why does my baby have a rash while teething?

Most likely from something happening at the same age: new foods, a stomach bug, or antibiotics that loosen stool and irritate the skin. Drool can cause a rash too, but around the mouth and chin, not the diaper area.

Can drool cause a rash?

Yes, but a drool rash appears around the mouth, chin, cheeks, neck, and chest, where saliva collects, not in the diaper area.

Does teething cause a fever?

No. Teething may cause a slight rise in temperature within the normal range, but not a true fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. A true fever is a sign of illness, so call your pediatrician, and call right away if your baby is 3 months of age or younger.

What are the real signs of teething?

Drooling, sore or swollen gums, more biting and chewing, and mild fussiness in the few days around a tooth coming in.

How do I treat my baby's diaper rash?

Change diapers often, clean gently, let the skin dry, and apply a thick zinc oxide or petroleum jelly barrier cream. Give some diaper-free time, and skip talcum powder.

What should I use for teething pain?

Chilled (not frozen) teething toys and gentle gum rubbing help. Ask your pediatrician before giving any medicine. Never use numbing gels or liquids, or homeopathic teething products. The FDA warns they can be dangerous.

When should I call the doctor?

Call your pediatrician right away if a baby with diarrhea shows signs of dehydration, like fewer wet diapers, or if your baby has a fever and is 3 months of age or younger. Otherwise, call if diarrhea lasts more than a day or you see blood in the stool, if your baby has a true fever, or if a diaper rash isn't better after 2 to 3 days, has blisters or pus, or comes with a fever.

Sources

This guide relies on primary medical sources, reviewed and current as of 2026.

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Section on Oral Health. Teething Pain Relief. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 7/9/2025.
• Polcari I (AAP Section on Dermatology). Common Diaper Rashes & Treatments. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 12/18/2024. (Diaper-rash care only.)
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Drooling and Your Baby. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 9/4/2026.
• DiMaggio D, Cernigliaro J. Baby's First Tooth: 7 Facts Parents Should Know. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 11/19/2022.
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Fever and Your Baby. HealthyChildren.org. Updated 9/23/2025.
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Ibuprofen for Fever and Pain (dosing table). HealthyChildren.org. Updated 9/19/2024.
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Acetaminophen for Fever and Pain (dosing table). HealthyChildren.org. Updated 1/30/2026.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children. Consumer Update, content current as of 06/26/2024.
• Mayo Clinic. Diaper rash: Symptoms & causes and Diagnosis & treatment.
• Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Jacobs J, Skibinski C. Symptoms associated with infant teething: a prospective study. Pediatrics. 2000;105(4 Pt 1):747-752. PMID 10742315.
• Wake M, Hesketh K, Lucas J. Teething and tooth eruption in infants: a cohort study. Pediatrics. 2000;106(6):1374-1379. PMID 11099591.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk with your pediatrician about your child's health and before giving any medicine or making decisions about your baby's care.