Diaper rash turning purple

Yeast Diaper Rash (Candida Diaper Dermatitis): Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Overview

The application of antifungal medication to a yeast diaper rash.

What is a yeast diaper rash?

A diaper rash is a common condition that creates red and purple swollen, sore patches of skin near your baby’s diaper region.

Yeast is a type of fungus that naturally lives on your body in small amounts, often found in your mouth, skin and in your intestines. Your body also hosts healthy bacteria, which control the balance of yeast (microbiome) to prevent infection. If the balance of yeast and bacteria is off, yeast will overgrow, which will cause a rash.

Most common in diaper-wearing children, yeast, specifically Candida albicans yeast, could cause a diaper rash on infants if the balance of yeast and healthy bacteria is off balance. Infected feces are the main source for a Candida diaper rash.

Diaper rashes are the result of irritation from their diaper causing friction against their skin, an infection or an allergic reaction. A combination of irritation and infection from Candida overgrowth is a yeast diaper rash, also known as Candida diaper dermatitis.

What is the difference between a diaper rash and a yeast infection?

A yeast infection could be the cause of a diaper rash, but there are differences between the two diagnoses.

Yeast Infection	Diaper Rash
Skin that is bumpy (pimples), shiny, cracked or oozy with a deep red or purple tone.	Skin that is dry, scaly or smooth with a light pink to purple tone.
Appears on skin folds near the groin, legs and genitals.	Appears on larger surfaces like the buttocks.
Rash could be in several, smaller spots along the diaper region.	Rash is in one spot along the diaper region.
Treat with antifungal medication, which could take a few weeks to clear.	Treat with diaper creams that clear in a couple days.

Who does a yeast diaper rash affect?

A yeast diaper rash affects anyone who wears a diaper, but it's most common in babies and infants. Rashes most often affect babies between nine months and one year.

How common are yeast diaper rashes?

Skin problems are common in infants and children. Most babies develop a form of diaper rash during the time that they wear a diaper. Studies show that nearly one out of every three infants could have a diaper rash at any point in time and more than half of children between four months and 15 months have a diaper rash at least once in a two-month period. A diaper rash is very common after taking systemic antibiotics.

How does a yeast diaper rash affect my baby’s body?

A diaper rash causes skin irritation and your baby will show signs of discomfort, like crying, trying to itch the area or they will become fussy, which might be difficult to ease. To lessen your baby’s reaction to the symptoms of the rash, visit or call your baby’s healthcare provider at the first sign to treat the condition.

Symptoms and Causes

What does a yeast diaper rash look like?

Symptoms of a yeast diaper rash will appear in the diaper area in the folds of your baby’s skin, which includes the groin area, genitals, buttocks and upper thigh. Symptoms of a yeast diaper rash include:

Deep red or purple raised patch of skin.
Bumps or tiny fluid-filled pimples.
Rash that appears shiny.
Cracked or very dry skin.
Itchiness, mild pain and discomfort.

Severe cases of a yeast diaper rash create painful open sores on your baby’s skin that may ooze clear fluid or bleed when the skin breaks due to friction from your baby’s diaper.

What causes a yeast diaper rash?

A type of yeast that lives on our bodies in small amounts is Candida albicans. Sometimes outside factors disrupt the balance of Candida and healthy bacteria (microbiome), causing a rash to form in the diaper area of our baby’s skin. Yeast is a type of fungus that thrives is warm and moist environments, making the diaper region the perfect place for yeast to grow.

Contributing factors to the development of yeast diaper rashes include:

Little to no air circulation on the skin.
Urine or stool touching skin for long periods of time (overnight).
Diaper material rubbing on skin repeatedly.
Side effect of taking antibiotics or receiving them from a chestfeeding (breastfeeding) parent.

Is a yeast diaper rash contagious?

Yeast diaper rashes are not contagious like a cold or virus. Yeast infections are the result of an overgrowth of yeast due to an imbalance of healthy bacteria in your baby’s body. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly after diaper changes to keep your body’s yeast and healthy bacteria balanced.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is a yeast diaper rash diagnosed?

Your baby’s healthcare provider will visually examine the affected area to begin the diagnosis. They will ask questions about your baby’s symptoms, including duration and severity, along with questions about any medications that you or your baby might be taking that could disrupt the balance of yeast in your baby’s body. Occasionally they will swab the rash with sterile cotton to examine the type of yeast under a microscope.

Management and Treatment

How do I treat a yeast diaper rash?

Since yeast is a fungus, your healthcare provider will recommend an antifungal medication (cream, ointment or pill) to stop the yeast overgrowth and treat the rash. For severe yeast diaper rash, your healthcare provider might recommend a steroid ointment (hydrocortisone) to combat the issue.

Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how to apply the antifungal cream and how long you should be using it to make sure the infection clears up completely to reduce the likelihood of it returning.

Can I treat a yeast diaper rash with over-the-counter medicine?

Yes, you can use over-the-counter antifungal creams such as clotrimazole to treat a yeast diaper rash. This treatment option may be effective but it is not certain that it will clear the rash or treat the overgrowth of yeast completely without a diagnosis from your healthcare provider to target the specific type of yeast that caused the rash.

How do I manage symptoms of a yeast diaper rash?

There are several ways that you can manage yeast diaper rash symptoms on your baby. Treatment options include:

Cleaning the rash often: Since the rash causes discomfort, gently clean the diaper area with water and a soft washcloth. Disposable diaper wipes are helpful, but avoid wipes that contain alcohol and fragrances. Delicately pat the diaper area dry rather than rubbing or allowing the area to air dry.
Applying an ointment or cream on the rash: After treating the rash with an antifungal medication, apply a thick layer of protective ointment or cream, like one that contains zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to create a barrier between the diaper and the skin. Ointments are usually thick and don't have to be completely removed at the next diaper change.
Frequently changing your baby’s diaper: Yeast thrives in warm and damp environments, so it is best to keep the diaper area as clean and dry as possible. Changing diapers often makes sure that there is less moisture on your baby’s skin. Change your baby’s diaper at least once during the night and, if possible, leave your baby’s diaper off for a short amount of time to increase airflow between diaper changes or during nap time. Keep the diaper loose so that the soiled area doesn’t rub against their skin as much.

How long does it take for a yeast diaper rash to go away?

After treating the yeast diaper rash with antifungal medication, symptoms will start to fade and may disappear after three days. The overgrowth of yeast may still be present after symptoms go away, so it is important to follow treatment guidelines from your healthcare provider from start to finish to make sure the rash does not return. It may take between two to three weeks for a yeast diaper rash to completely clear up.

Prevention

How can I prevent a yeast diaper rash?

You can prevent a yeast diaper rash by:

Avoid using baby wipes with fragrances or alcohol.
Changing diapers frequently.
Cleaning skin between diaper changes.
Not securing diapers too tightly to allow airflow or leaving diapers off for short periods of time.
Using highly absorbent diapers.
Using ointment or cream to create a barrier between skin and diaper.
Discussing side effects of medications (antibiotics) you or your baby take with your healthcare provider.

Outlook / Prognosis

What can I expect if my baby has a yeast diaper rash?

If your baby has a yeast diaper rash, they will show signs of irritation and discomfort through crying or being fussy, especially during diaper changes. As their caretaker, you will notice a rash forming on or near their diaper area, noting color changes of their skin, elevated skin and small pimples forming in the folds of their skin. Treatment will clear the symptoms that are irritating your baby within the first couple of days, but it will take a couple of weeks for the rash to go away completely. Make sure you finish treatment as advised by your baby’s healthcare provider so the rash doesn’t return.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you notice signs of a diaper rash and traditional diaper creams or ointments don’t clear the rash, it increases in size and causes extreme discomfort for your baby, you should visit your healthcare provider. If your baby’s rash turns into an open sore, bleeds frequently or starts to ooze yellow or clear fluid, those are symptoms of an infection and you should visit your healthcare provider immediately.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

How long should I use an antifungal cream on my baby’s skin?
If I am chestfeeding (breastfeeding) and on antibiotics, how will that affect my baby?
What can I do to make sure a yeast diaper rash does not come back after I finish treatment?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Diaper rashes are very common among diaper-wearing children. It is easy to disrupt the balance of yeast on your baby’s growing body, making yeast diaper rashes a temporary discomfort, treatable with an antifungal medication. Talk with your baby’s healthcare provider to choose the right treatment option that best suits your baby’s needs and follow instructions on the antifungal medication to make sure the rash doesn’t return.

Different Types of Diaper Rash: Pictures, Causes, and Treatment

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And watch out for the acidic poop

Yeah, acidic poop. Diaper rashes may increase when your baby starts eating solid foods. When certain foods are eliminated from the body, they may make poop particularly irritating. Eating foods may also make your baby poop more often, leading to even more rashes.

And if you’re breastfeeding, keep an eye on your diet as well. Some people feel that certain foods they eat bother their baby’s bottom.

Treatment

You can treat most rashes caused by irritation with over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments. Look for creams with zinc oxide or thick petrolatum-based ointments that can protect the skin while it heals. If the rash is particularly severe, you may need prescription cream to help clear it up.

Shop for diaper rash creams and ointments online.

Prevention

Preventing this type of rash is all about keeping baby’s skin happy.

Change baby frequently throughout the day — every 2 to 3 hours, and more often if your baby has diarrhea. Also change at night. We know, not ideal. But you really should do it, especially if you suspect there may be poop in their diaper.
Apply a barrier before the rash starts. Creams and ointments help shield the skin from moisture and irritants. Consider adding this to your normal routine.
Size up or loosen the diaper a bit to give the skin more space. Again, this is particularly important overnight when your little one is in their diaper the longest.
Give your sweet babe some diaper-free time to let the skin breathe. Worried about accidents? Place a towel down first — just in case.
Watch what baby is eating. What causes a rash in one baby may not in another. And steer clear of juices, which are acidic and may cause diarrhea.

Related: 7 tips for diaper rash treatment

Candida — more commonly referred to as yeast — rashes have a deep red color. They show up as patches or plaques inside the diaper area, in the folds and creases of the thighs, and even outside the diaper area. There may be red dots just outside the main area of redness.

Baby girls may also have a white or yellow discharge from the vagina and itching. Baby boys may have scaling or redness on the penis.

If you suspect yeast, take a look if your baby’s mouth as well. They may have thrush, which is a yeast infection in the mouth. This type of rash can happen when baby is taking antibiotics for an illness. Breastfeeding moms may even pass along yeast infections after taking medications.

Treatment

Some people have had good luck with OTC antifungal creams. But you’ll probably need to make an appointment with your pediatrician, who will likely prescribe some type of antifungal ointment or cream for yeast infections.

Oral antifungal medicines are sometimes needed, but your topical creams or ointments usually do the trick.

Prevention

Yeast diaper rashes are common. They aren’t always related to antibiotic use, so they’re hard to prevent, so it’s best just to keep following healthy diapering practices.

Research on probiotics use in infants is slim, but you might consider asking your pediatrician about giving your baby probiotics while they’re on antibiotics. Probiotics may encourage good gut bacteria to help keep yeast at bay.

Related: Identifying and treating a yeast diaper rash

Though not common, your baby could be allergic to something in their diaper or wipes. With repeated exposure, they may end up with a nasty rash.

Can’t pinpoint anything new in your routine? Keep in mind that allergic reactions may take between 1 and 3 weeks to show up after the first exposure.

Diaper rashes caused by allergic reaction are red, shiny, and can show up on large areas — on the genitals, buttocks, abdomen, thighs, and in the creases. Basically, you’ll see it anywhere and everywhere diapers and wipes touch or where other products are applied.

Treatment

Your baby’s rash won’t clear up until you figure out what they’re allergic to. Even then, it may take between 2 and 4 weeks after you eliminate the allergen for the rash to clear.

OTC diaper creams can help with symptoms. Try formulas for that are fragrance free and hypoallergenic. You may want to speak with your doctor about prescription medications if the rash is particularly severe.

Shop for fragrance-free and hypoallergenic diaper rash creams online.

Prevention

You’ll need to figure out what’s causing the reaction. Try looking at each step in your diapering routine individually.

If you have changed diaper brands, try changing back or look for a brand of diapers that doesn’t include chemicals or dyes.
Look for wipes that are similarly stripped of alcohol, fragrances, and other chemical additives. Or just use a soft cloth with warm water.
If you’re using cloth diapers, examine the detergent you’re using. Your best bet is a free and clear formula.

Shop for chemical-free diapers, alcohol-free wipes, and free and clear detergent online.

Maybe baby has a skin infection down there. What starts as a tiny area of infection may quickly spread in the moist, warm conditions under the diaper. The most common culprits are group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

With strep, the rash may be bright red and focused around the anus, though it can spread to the genitals. You may even notice blood in your baby’s poop.
With staph, you might see pus-filled bumps with a red base. These blisters may rupture with a yellow-brown fluid and leave behind scales.

Bacterial infections can get serious if they aren’t treated promptly. So, you’ll need your pediatrician’s help. Look out for other worrisome symptoms, including fever of 100. 4°F (38°C) or higher, bleeding, weeping or pustules, or lethargy.

Treatment

This type of rash can’t be treated with OTC creams. Instead, make an appointment with your doctor to get prescription antibiotics, like amoxicillin and penicillin. Infections, like strep, tend to recur, so it’s a good idea to make a follow-up appointment as well.

Prevention

Infections can’t always be prevented, but you can keep an eye out for early signs so the infection doesn’t become severe. Infections may also be more likely if there is persistent irritation, like small cuts or scratches, in and around the diaper area.

Wash the area gently and pat dry so you don’t accidentally scratch or cut your baby’s delicate skin. Be sure to treat other types of diaper rashes, as they have the potential to turn bacterial the longer the skin is damaged.

Related: Help! Why does my baby have bleeding diaper rash?

There are a number of other issues that can affect your child’s skin and cause a rash. If your child’s condition seems long-lasting, your best bet may be getting a referral from your pediatrician to a dermatologist who specializes in children’s skin.

Eczema

This may look like a normal diaper rash at first, but it can become purple and crusty. Sometimes you may even see blisters or weeping.

Eczema is usually dry and itchy. Though it occasionally causes diaper rash, it is more common on other parts of the body. It can often be managed by bathing and moisturizing with mild soaps and creams or ointments.

Avoiding irritation is important, which means you’ll want to use fragrance-free products, diapers, and wipes. Keeping the skin breathing and cool is also helpful.

Your doctor may prescribe medicated ointments or bleach baths. Many babies and young children outgrow their eczema by the time they’re 3 to 5 years old.

Psoriasis

This can very closely resemble a diaper rash or yeast infection. Doctors often misdiagnose the condition at first. And even if you do see a pediatric dermatologist, it can be hard to distinguish between eczema and psoriasis in babies.

The good news is that the treatment course is similar for both conditions. You’ll want to keep the skin happy by using gentle products and consider using prescription ointments.

Seborrheic dermatitis

This can cause diaper rashes and impact skin on other parts of the body, like the scalp, face, and neck. While this type of rash is red, you also may see yellow or oily patches under the diaper and in the skin folds.

Treatment involves topical medications. While doctors don’t totally know what causes it, there’s good news. Seborrheic dermatitis tends to go away on its own by the time your baby reaches 6 months to 1 year in age.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a contagious skin infection caused by the same bacteria (group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus) that causes general bacterial dermatitis.

Impetigo, however, looks like sores instead of a rash. These lesions may rupture and ooze on different parts of the body. They typically focus around the nose, mouth, hands, and feet, but you can also find them in the diaper area or anywhere else that has been exposed.

Treatment requires topical or oral antibiotics to heal. Until your little one has treatment for 24 hours, they may pass the infection on to others.

Heat rash

This type of rash is made up of tiny bumps. In fact, it’s sometimes called “prickly heat” for this reason. It happens when the skin — anywhere on the body — is hot and can’t breathe. In the diaper area, you may see it particularly in the creases. The sweat ends up blocking the pores and creates the redness, bumps, and itching.

Thick creams and ointments may make matters worse. So, if you suspect heat rash, don’t slather on diaper creams. Treatment involves cooling the area and promoting good air flow.

Related: How to spot and take care of your baby’s rash

Your best friend may swear that switching to cloth diapers helped her kids with rashes. Or maybe you’ve read the opposite is true when browsing around baby forums. (All the advice you get in the first year can surely be confusing!)

What do the experts say? Well, there’s no real evidence to suggest that either type is better. Instead, you need to choose what works best for your family and your budget. This simply means finding a brand of diaper that doesn’t irritate (if you do disposables) and finding a laundry soap that doesn’t irritate (if you use cloth).

Either way, change your baby frequently to keep their bottom clean and dry.

Related: The diaper wars: Cloth vs. disposable

If you feel like you’ve tried every diaper cream under the sun, and your child’s rash is still raging, pick up the phone. You don’t need to do all this detective work alone. Rashes that don’t respond to home treatment after 2 to 3 days are a reason to visit your doctor. If you don’t already have a pediatrician, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area.

And make an appointment sooner if you see pus-filled sores, blisters, or any other worsening symptoms, like fever. Once you get the right treatment for your baby’s rash, you’ll both feel a whole lot better.

Medical advice for doctors | Remedium.ru

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