Many parents are familiar with the occasional diaper rash. While they can sometimes be a nuisance, they typically aren’t anything serious. However, some parents may be wondering if brewer’s yeast can cause a diaper rash.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the potential connection between brewer’s yeast and diaper rashes, as well as provide some tips for preventing and treating them.
What is brewer’s yeast?
During beer brewing, brewer’s yeast is produced. In alternative medicine, it is used to aid digestion. Furthermore, it’s used to treat conditions such as colds, influenza, diarrhea, and diabetes.
Brewer’s yeast is an excellent dietary supplement for nursing mothers. Selenium, chromium, and other trace elements are found in addition to iron, protein, and vitamin B. Due to its potential benefits, it is helpful for breastfeeding mothers to increase their milk supply, but it doesn’t always work for them. In general, it is considered a safe nutritional supplement as mothers and infants tolerate it well. Although it is safe to consume, you should consult your doctor if you have any specific health concerns.
Why do nursing mothers consume brewer’s yeast?
For breastfeeding mothers, brewer’s yeast is a popular supplement because of the highly digestible protein, minerals, vitamin B, amino acids, and chromium it contains, all of which support a healthy milk supply. The health benefits of brewer’s yeast help mothers to increase milk supply while also boosting energy levels and elevating moods.
Lactation cookies and milk-boosting smoothies often contain brewer’s yeast powder. Adding one or two tablespoons of this powder to a drink is generally safe. The same can be said for Brewer’s yeast tablets for lactation, which you can consume 2 to 3 times per day.
Does brewer’s yeast cause diaper rash?
Brewer’s yeast is not known to cause diaper rash. However, if you consumed brewer’s yeast and your babies suddenly developed a diaper rash, contact a medical professional or your doctor right away.
Yeast overgrowth is a real and ever-present danger, especially for nursing mothers and babies. At this point, mothers and their infants are already dealing with enough yeasty problems without adding to it in food as well. A yeast infection can also occur during this time and complicate treatment. And this condiction can also lead to diaper rash. You are usually trapped in a vicious cycle of recurrence between you two, which nobody needs during such a difficult and exhausting time.
It is important to note that the yeast in brewer’s yeast and the yeast that causes yeast infections are different. Candida albicans is the yeast responsible for diaper rash caused by fungi. The condition can occur naturally or is commonly associated with antibiotics therapy which kills healthy bacteria. Meanwhile, brewer’s yeast is a one-celled fungus called Saccharomyces cerevisiae that’s used to make beer.
Some of the telltale signs are white spots inside the mouth or on the lips, gas troubles, and a diaper rash that doesn’t seem to be healing. When you suspect your baby might have a candida infection, it’s important to ask your doctor.
What to do if you notice signs of diaper rashes after consuming brewer’s yeast?
If you suspect that your child is dealing with a diaper rash from a candida infection, it’s important to take some steps to make him/her more comfortable and ease the pain. Some infants with sensitive skin might only show one or two of these signs including yeast diaper rashes but this does not mean that the baby is not dealing with an infection in the baby’s diaper area.
Signs of irritation can be present outside of the diaper area. Other signs of yeast infections include cracking around the mouth, genital itching, redness on the irritated skin, and an unpleasant smell near the genital area. Here’s what to do when you notice any of these signs in your child:
- Wash your hands well before touching your baby’s diaper area.
- Change the diaper every two to three hours or more often if it’s wet or dirty. Cleanse the area with mild soap and water, especially after bowel movements.
- Keep your baby’s skin air dry completely. Powders, such as corn starch and baby powder, should not be used on your baby’s bottom. They can harm your baby’s lungs when inhaled.
- Regardless of whether you’re using disposable diapers or cloth diapers, frequent diaper changes will help alleviate discomfort. Doing so prevents the skin of babies from being exposed to their urine or stool which can be irritating.
- Avoid using baby wipes that can potentially further irritate skin during diaper change, instead use warm water. Apply a cream with zinc oxide after changing diapers.
- If you notice yeast infection symptoms in your child, see a doctor. The doctor might prescribe an over-the-counter topical antifungal cream that contains miconazole, clotrimazole, or tioconazole.
- Inform your doctor if your baby was in antibiotics treatment recently (antibiotics can kill healthy bacteria) or if the rash is a result of an allergic reaction.
- Topical antifungal cream medications and diaper rash treatment should be applied only to the affected area and not inside the mouth. These medications should not be used repeatedly.
The Bottom Line
No one wants a diaper rash, especially not one that won’t go away no matter what you do. So can brewer’s yeast cause diaper rash? The answer is: maybe. While there is no concrete evidence that brewer’s yeast causes diaper rashes, there are some theories about how children can develop this condition. Keep reading to learn more about brewer’s yeast and diaper rash, including how to avoid getting a rash in the first place.
