Chafing, sensitivity, and wetness are common causes of a typical diaper rash, but if usual treatment efforts (similar keeping your kid's lesser dry and using a diaper rash foam or ointment) don't seem to be working, your baby may have a yeast diaper rash.

What causes a yeast diaper rash?

A type of yeast called candida almost usually causes a yeast diaper rash. Everyone has harmless amounts of candida in and on their body. This fungus thrives in warm, moist areas, like the oral fissure, bowels, peel, vagina, and groin surface area. The moist surround of a muddied diaper tin easily crusade a yeast infection – specially if in that location'south already an untreated diaper rash.

Babies taking antibiotics and breastfed babies whose mothers are on antibiotics are also more than susceptible to yeast infections. That'due south because antibiotics kill the good leaner in the torso that keep yeast in check. Without these leaner around, yeast tin grow more than abundantly.

If your child recently had thrush (a yeast infection of the mouth), he may terminate upwardly with a yeast infection in his diaper surface area, also. Yeast passes through your child's digestive arrangement when he eats and ends upward in his stool, which somewhen lands in his diaper right next to his warm, clammy skin.

What are the symptoms of a yeast diaper rash?

Yous may not exist able to notice yeast in a mild diaper rash, but you can usually identify a full-blown yeast infection if the rash:

  • Lasts longer than ii days and doesn't respond to typical treatments for diaper rash
  • Is well defined and reddish or brilliant scarlet
  • Has slightly raised borders
  • Shows upward in the folds of skin in the groin area
  • Has "satellite" lesions or additional irritation almost the principal skin rash
  • Is scaly

babys bottom with bright red inflamed skin

© Dr. P. Marazzi / Science Source

Exercise I need to take my baby to the dr. for a yeast diaper rash?

There's no need to rush your child to the doctor if you think your baby's rash may be a yeast infection, simply practice check in with your provider for treatment suggestions, and permit her know if the rash doesn't improve inside iii days of starting treatment. It's possible your doctor may want to examine your child in that case.

Also brand an appointment to see the doctor if your kid develops a fever, or if the rash develops open sores or oozing yellow patches. These could mean your child has a bacterial infection and needs an antibiotic.

What'southward the treatment for yeast diaper rash?

Regular diaper bulwark creams or ointments won't help, so your babe'due south doctor may recommend using a topical antifungal foam (such as nystatin, clotrimazole, or miconazole), perchance with a mild corticosteroid cream besides.

Most creams are bachelor without a prescription at the drugstore. Follow the directions on the product's characterization.

Applying the cream two to three times a day is usually plenty, but when you lot're using an antifungal cream, it'due south important to rub it into the skin, non just apply it on top (the way you would with a regular barrier cream for diaper rash). The rash should clear up after a few days.

Sometimes doctors too recommend applying a barrier cream or ointment over the medication to keep the rash from getting worse.

Don't utilize powders similar talcum or cornstarch, which can get into a baby's lungs if inhaled. (As well, some experts believe that using cornstarch might make diaper rash worse by spreading yeast and leaner.)

Are in that location whatsoever adept dwelling house remedies for a yeast diaper rash?

In that location isn't much research on the condom or effectiveness of home remedies for a yeast diaper rash. Always consult with your pediatrician before trying whatever alternative options.

What'southward the all-time way to keep my baby's bottom make clean then information technology heals?

  • Change your baby's diaper often.
  • Give your kid some bare-butt time. Let her play diaperless on a waterproof sheet or a plastic tablecloth with a towel on top of it to let her bottom become some air.
  • Gently clean the affected area with a soft washcloth or a cotton ball and water. Don't use wipes, and be careful non to rub too hard.
  • Use a squirt bottle filled with h2o to clean the surface area if it looks very irritated or sensitive.
  • Cull a balmy, fragrance-free lather.
  • Pat the area dry or let it air-dry, then utilise the ointment or foam.

Check out our visual guide to children's rashes and skin conditions.

Tin a yeast diaper rash be prevented?

That depends. If your kid is taking an antibody (or if you're breastfeeding and taking antibiotics), or if your child has recently recovered from a bout of thrush, you may not be able to forestall a yeast infection.

Only you tin can accept steps to prevent the kind of environment where yeast thrives – a dark, moist place.

Try these diapering tips, which also tin can help forestall regular diaper rash:

  • Cheque your baby's diaper oft, and change wet and soiled diapers right away.
  • Clean your kid'southward lesser thoroughly after he has a bowel movement, and give the area a chance to dry out completely before putting on another diaper.
  • Don't put diapers on and so tightly that air can't broadcast around your child's pare.
  • If your child is prone to diaper rashes, give him extra bare-butt time whenever it's convenient, such as during weekend diaper changes at home.

Exercise fabric diapers help forbid a yeast diaper rash?

In that location is no testify that one blazon of diaper is ameliorate at preventing diaper rash than some other. Whether you use cloth or dispensable, what'southward most important is changing muddy diapers as soon equally possible. It's also a good thought to avoid using tight-fitting disposable diapers or plastic pants over material diapers considering these prevent air from passing through.

If you use fabric diapers:

  • Wash them with a mild detergent and bleach.
  • Rinse them thoroughly.
  • Don't employ textile softeners or dryer sheets. (These might irritate the rash and make it worse.)

If your baby already has a yeast diaper rash, consider using disposable diapers temporarily until the rash goes abroad considering they're highly absorbent and designed to proceed wet away from the pare.