Learn how to identify diaper rash caused by yeast and how to treat it.
Normal diaper rash (caused by moisture or friction from a diaper) generally looks like sunburn and with proper treatment will disappear in less than two days. If the diaper rash is caused by yeast, however, it will last much longer and require a different course of treatment.
There are two main causes of a yeast infection diaper rash. One is an infant who has a thrush infection (also caused by yeast) who also happens to have a diaper rash. Very often the same infection affecting their mouth has worked its way through their system and ended up on their bottom.
The second common cause of yeast diaper rash is antibiotics. Antibiotics prescribed for a bacterial condition not only kill the offending bacteria but also our body's good bacteria. This imbalance causes an overgrowth of yeast whose symptoms can be displayed on an infant's bottom. If your child develops a severe diaper rash shortly after beginning a course of antibiotics, yeast is almost always the cause.
General diaper rash is uncomfortable, but a diaper rash caused by yeast is downright painful. Almost always identifiable by sight, this rash is bright red, raw, and surrounded by red dots that can sometimes resemble pimples. Yeast diaper rash can become so severe that skin begins to crack, peel or bleed. This diaper rash may also spread to areas other than the bottom, including the genitals, thighs and the abdomen. If your child has diaper rash that, regardless of treatment, persists more than three days, yeast is most often the culprit.
There are several ways of dealing with the problem of yeast diaper rash. First and foremost, make sure that your child's bottom is exposed to air as much as possible. This is sometimes difficult, especially if your child's rash is further complicated by diarrhea (which is sometimes the case with antibiotics). However, any amount of time their bottom can be left naked is productive.
Change diapers as soon as they become wet or soiled and when wiping, use a warm washcloth. In cases of severe diaper rash, commercial wipes (even those fragrance and alcohol free) can cause pain. Choose the softest washcloth you have and make sure not to get it too hot. Temperatures are often magnified on raw skin.
When bathing your child, use only water. If you feel your child needs soap (for instance, sticky stool which you don't want to rub and aggravate) choose the mildest soap you can find.
Offer your child unlimited healthy fluids. This will help cut down the acidity of their urine. Acidic urine makes diaper rash even more painful. You can suspect this is a problem if your child cries after urinating in their diaper.
Medical treatment for yeast based diaper rash is available through over-the-counter creams that contain Clotrimazole. You can also get prescription creams that are stronger and contain Nystatin. Gentian Violet (a purple solution which is often used on the mouth in cases of thrush) can also be applied to the affected diaper areas.
You should seek medical attention for your child if they develop a fever, the rash begins weeping or becomes pus filled, or if your child's rash is not responding to treatment in a week. If yeast diaper rashes are not treated appropriately, they can become infected. Infections further complicate the issue and for this reason, it is important to be attentive and diligent with treatment.
