A diaper rash is a skin problem that develops in the area beneath an infant’s diaper. Diaper rashes are common in babies between 4 and 15 months old. They may be noticed more when babies begin to eat solid foods. Diaper rashes caused by infection with a yeast or fungus called Candida are very common in children. Candida is found everywhere in the environment. It grows best in warm, moist places, such as under a diaper.
A yeast-related diaper rash is more likely to occur in babies who:
- Are not kept clean and dry
- Babies born via c-section
- Are taking antibiotics, or whose mothers are taking antibiotics during labout or while breast feeding
- Have more frequent stools
- Reactions to soaps and other products used to clean cloth diapers
- Too much moisture
You may notice the following in your child’s diaper area:
- Bright red rash that gets bigger
- Fiery red and scaly areas on the scrotum and penis in boys
- Red or scaly areas on the labia and vagina in girls
- Pimples, blisters, ulcers, large bumps, or pus-filled sores
- Smaller red patches (called satellite lesions) that grow and blend in with the other patches
Treatment
The best treatment for a diaper rash is to keep the diaper area clean and dry. This will also help prevent new diaper rashes.
- Always wash your hands after changing a diaper
- St. Francis Zinc Chamomile cream is one of the most effective topical treatments I have seen for preventing and treating diaper rash
- Probiotics can help change the balance of yeast in your child’s digestive tract
- Probiotics can help change the balance of yeast in mom’s system if breastfeeding
- Avoid using wipes that have alcohol or perfume. They may dry out or irritate the skin more
- Do NOT use corn starch on your baby’s bottom. It can make a yeast diaper rash worse
- Do NOT use talc (talcum powder). It can get into your baby’s lungs
- Change your baby’s diaper often, and as soon as possible after the baby urinates or passes stool
- Lay your baby on a towel without a diaper on whenever possible. The more time the baby can be kept out of a diaper, the better
- Pat the area dry or allow to air-dry
- Put diapers on loosely. Diapers that are too tight don’t allow enough air and may rub and irritate the baby’s waist or thighs
- Use water and a soft cloth or cotton ball to gently clean the diaper area with every diaper change. Avoid rubbing or scrubbin the area. A squirt bottle of water may be used for sensitive areas
- Using highly absorbent diapers helps keep the skin dry and reduces the chance of getting an infection
If you use cloth diapers:
- Avoid plastic or rubber pants over the diaper. They do not allow enough air to pass through
- Do NOT use fabric softeners or dryer sheets. They may make the rash worse
- When washing cloth diapers, rinse 2 or 3 times to remove all soap if your child already has a rash or has had one before