Diaper rash is a common type of baby yeast infection, often caused by candida overgrowth.
Not all diaper rashes are caused by yeast, however, and you should also look for other culprits, such as allergies to foods or detergents, or irritation caused by clothing and diapers. The friction caused by the skin rubbing against a wet diaper can lead to redness and irritation, but may not be a yeast infection.
Usually, if the skin is only irritated or chafed, the folds and creases of the skin will not be affected. Yeast infections are generally bright red and do often involve the creases of the skin. Yeast normally lives on the skin, but certain conditions can cause an overgrowth, which can lead to a yeast infection.
Medication
Some drugs such as broad spectrum antibiotics can also be contributing factors, and it is common for babies to develop yeast infections after a course of antibiotics. This is due to the antibiotics killing the bacteria which normally live on the skin, which can also upset the balance of yeast and lead to overgrowth.
In babies, yeast infections usually occur in the areas covered by the diaper and around the top of the legs. Yeast usually does not penetrate into the skin or cause infections, but a breakdown of the skin can contribute to an infection. The conditions in a diaper are ideal for yeast growth. There is warmth and moisture. The baby’s skin may be irritated, whether from the presence of urine or fecal matter, or by chafing from the elastic bands around the legs. This irritated, weakened skin can allow yeast to develop into an infection.
It is important to try to keep babies from developing yeast infections by keeping the diaper area clean and dry as much as possible.
Solid Foods
Regardless, most babies will develop diaper rash at some point. It is common when there is irritation and chafing, but also at times when the acidity level of their bowel movements may be changing, such as when they are switched to solid foods, or when they are trying new baby formulas or food types.
Hygiene
Making sure to change the diaper at the first sign of wetness or a bowel movement is important, as is thoroughly cleaning and drying the area before putting on a new diaper. If there is chafing, you may consider changing to a different type of diapers or applying an ointment to the area. Using powder after cleaning baby’s bottom can also cut down on dampness in the diaper.
The combination of moisture and a weakening of the skin are generally what causes babies to develop yeast infections. Diapers do not allow the area to be well-aerated, since they must be waterproof. Even when urine is not present, the conditions inside the diaper may have enough moisture to contribute to yeast overgrowth.
Urine and bowel movements may be acidic enough to irritate the skin that they come in contact with. The moist conditions alone can be enough to weaken the baby’s skin and contribute to yeast infections.
Diaper fit
Especially in young children who are learning how to crawl, it is important that a diaper fit correctly and it should not be too big or too small. The leg bands should fit comfortably, or the baby’s movements could cause chafing and irritation.
This can lead to pain and could also contribute to developing an infection in the weakened areas of skin. If possible, it can be helpful to allow the child some playtime without wearing a diaper to allow for aeration of the affected areas.
Topical ointments intended for rashes caused by chafing or irritation will not help to heal a diaper rash that is caused by the overgrowth of yeast.
It is usually not necessary to take a child to see a doctor for diaper rashes, whether they are caused by yeast or not, unless the rash persists and is resistant to treatment.
Topical creams are available to control yeast. Look for over the counter products intended specifically for babies and follow the instructions carefully.
Some types of yeast can become resistant to treatment by mutating. If you use a topical cream and there is no improvement, you should consult a doctor to prescribe a different treatment and to assess what is causing the rash.
Call Your Doctor
Further to all the above call your doctor if your child has: