If your baby has a diaper rash, you may be wondering if it is caused by a yeast infection. Yeast infections are common in babies and can cause a lot of discomfort.
In this blog post, we will discuss the signs of diaper rash (diaper dermatitis) caused by a fungal infection like yeast, and how you can treat it.
One thing we should get out of the way is that not all diaper rashes are caused by a fungal infection. In fact, most diaper rashes (diaper dermatitis) are not caused by a yeast infection. However, there is a chance that your child’s diaper rash is fungal if it does not respond to usual treatments.
If you are not sure on the different types of diaper rash, read out full guide.
What can cause a diaper rash?
A rash can occur due to a number of reasons. Here are a few of the causes of diaper rash in babies:
Urine and stool irritation
Prolonged exposure to stool or urine can cause irritation to the raw skin. Your baby might be more susceptible to rashes caused by diapers if he or she experiences frequent diarrhea or frequent bowel movements due to the fact that feces cause more irritation than urine.
Changes in a baby’s diet
When babies begin to eat solid food, the composition of their stool changes. This can lead to an increase in the chance of a child develops a diaper rash. The changes in your baby’s diet may also increase the frequency of stool that could lead to a rash. If your child is breastfed, he or she might develop a rash due to food items that the mother has consumed.
Sensitive skin
Babies with skin issues like atopic seborrheic or atopic (eczema) could be more likely to suffer from a rash. But, the skin irritation of eczema and atopic skin dermatitis generally affects other areas than the diaper region.
The feeling of rubbing or chafing
Diapers that are tight-fitting could result in an itch. In addition, tight disposable diapers hinder airflow to the area around the diaper and create an unsanitary environment for diaper skin rashes.
In addition, tight diapers can cause discomfort at the waist and the thighs. Allow your baby’s bottom to have a longer time to dry without a diaper. If possible you can let your baby run without any diaper.
Irritation from a new product
The baby’s skin could be sensitive to certain wipes for babies especially those that are alcohol-based, a new brand of a disposable diaper. The detergents, bleach, dryer sheets and fabric softeners you use to wash your baby’s cloth diapers. Other ingredients that could contribute to the issue are components found in some baby lotions, powders, or oils.
Yeast infection
Candida albicans are found naturally in the body of healthy individuals even babies in the mucus membrane and in the intestinal tract. The diaper rash caused by yeast infection aren’t transmissible to others and result from an overgrowth of this fungus that is naturally present.
Candida albicans flourishes best in moist, warm places, such as the skin folds, and the areas which are covered by the diaper. This can lead to candida infection which is much different than regular diaper rash.
How do you know if diaper rash is fungal?
A fungal diaper rash is different from a bacterial diaper rash. The following are the signs of yeast diaper rashes:
- Bright red skin rash with a slightly elevated border
- Pimples, blisters, ulcers, or open sores filled with pus in the diaper area.
- Rash that is limited to the diaper area and does not spread to other areas
- Areas that are red or scaly
- Satellite lesions are little red areas that connect to larger red regions.
- The rash is typically worst in the creases around the groin and diaper area.
- Inflamed patches with definite boundaries and tiny, pimple-like lumps are possible.
- Patches may sometimes form outside of the diaper area.
- A yeast infection in the mouth is also possible.
- In severe situations, the skin may crack or develop sores that bleed or ooze in the diaper area.
If your baby’s symptoms of yeast diaper rashes persist after a few days of performing the normal diaper rash treatments for ordinary rashes, changing diapers promptly, gently cleaning and air drying the diaper area and using over-the-counter creams then the yeast may be the problem.
When to call your doctor
A yeast diaper rash or any other cause of a rash can only be diagnosed by a doctor. They can tell the difference between types of diaper rash. Consult a doctor for professional medical advice and medical advice diagnosis as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms of a yeast irritation:
- The fever is rising, and the rash is spreading.
- The baby is less than a month old, and small blisters form in spots.
- The yeast diaper rash flakes off in sheets.
- Rash spreads to other areas
- Other symptoms of infection include leaking pus.
- The infant is acting as if he or she is unwell.
- The yeast diaper rash seems to be raw or bleeding.
- The yeast diaper rash severity is unknown or worrying.
- The yeast diaper rash has migrated outside of the diaper area.
- After three days of applying antifungal cream, there is no improvement.
A visual inspection by a doctor can often identify the source of a diaper rash and give medical advice diagnosis. They will also examine other parts of the body and inquire about any further symptoms. They may, in some situations, order tests to identify if it’s a yeast or bacterial infection and treat a yeast diaper rash.
How do you treat fungal diaper rash naturally?
Note that there hasn’t been much study done on the safety or efficacy of natural remedies for a candida diaper rash. Before attempting any natural treatments for diaper rash, always consult with your pediatrician. But the following home remedies can help ease symptoms of yeast diaper rash.
Breastmilk
Breastmilk contains healing and antibacterial characteristics, as well as being a natural moisturizer and anti-inflammatory. It’s also an excellent on-the-go solution for treating diaper rash naturally.
Breast milk is an efficient and safe treatment for yeast diaper rash. Breast milk treatment can be just as effective as the ointment alone.
Olive oil
Olive oil can be used to soothe irritated or dry skin. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities that provide itch relief by naturally treating the rash. It can also help to relieve the symptoms of skin diseases such as eczema, cradle cap, and diaper rash.
If your infant suffers a diaper rash, you can use olive oil to treat diaper rash instead of an ointment or diaper rash cream. If your infant’s skin is irritated by baby wipes, consider applying olive oil to a moist washcloth instead.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an excellent technique to treat your baby’s diaper rash gently. It has anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities that can kill Candida, which causes many yeast rashes. It also lowers inflammation and hydration while acting as a barrier between the baby’s rash and their diaper.
However, it is so light that it may not be strong enough to treat a severe rash. If you don’t observe any relief within 24 hours, try different petroleum or zinc oxide-based diaper rash remedies.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a pantry staple that works like baby powder in that it keeps the affected region dry and creates a barrier that allows the rash to heal faster. This is especially useful on hot days when moisture tends to build in your baby’s buttocks or those gorgeous tiny thigh rolls. However, it should never be used to treat a fungal rash as it may ‘feed the rash’, but you can use cornstarch for diaper rashes that are not yeast-based.
Oatmeal
For generations, oatmeal has been used as a home medicine to relieve inflammation and mend injured skin. It is extremely comforting to the irritated skin and can be readily added to your baby’s bath to naturally soothe your baby’s diaper rash. As a result, if your baby’s skin is irritated, red, or itchy, an oatmeal bath may help soothe and calm it.
Additional tips
The home care practices listed below can help treat diaper rash:
- Remove dirty diaper. Frequent diaper changes, or as soon as they urinate or pass feces.
- At each diaper change, carefully clean the region with water.
- Don’t use talc because you’d be risking it getting into your baby’s lungs.
- Maintaining clean and dry skin during the diaper change. Before putting on a new diaper loosely, pat the area dry or allow it to air dry so as not to trap moisture.
- Yeast thrives in moist areas so air exposure is important.
- Consider using disposable diapers because they are absorbent diapers that help in preventing diaper rash.
- Don’t use any plastic or rubber pants. Use breathable diaper covers instead.
- Using alcohol-free and fragrance-free wipes. Use a soft cloth or cotton ball instead.
- Washing with mild soap and warm water
- Increasing the amount of time spent without a diaper. Allow your baby to not wear diapers and to air out by going diaper-free for 30 minutes multiple times a day.
Can you use antifungal cream on diaper rash?
In many situations, such a candida diaper rash can be treated by using over-the-counter topical medications in addition to standard diaper care therapies.
Over-the-counter antifungal creams can help treat these infections in some situations. If the infection does not go away in severe cases after the four to seven days of yeast cream treatment recommended on the label, you should see your doctor.
For severe rashes, a 1% hydrocortisone cream may be prescribed.
How long does it take for a yeast diaper rash to go away?
Because yeast is a living organism that must be eliminated, severe yeast infections can take many weeks to heal. When the rash has faded and the skin has healed, you’ll know your infant has recovered.
