Babies Health & Safety How to Recognize and Treat a Yeast Diaper Rash Spotting the Signs of Candida in Babies By Jennifer White Jennifer White has authored parenting books and has worked in childcare and education fields for over 15 years. Learn about our editorial process Jennifer White Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD on October 02, 2019 linkedin Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Learn about our Review Board Lyndsey Garbi, MD Updated on January 05, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Symptoms Treatments When to Call the Doctor Prevention All diaper rashes are not created equal. Besides the garden-variety type, babies can develop a rash caused by yeast. It's not always easy to tell the difference, but it does matter when it comes to treating a sore, red, little bum, and preventing future infections. Here's a guide to yeast diaper rash. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Overview of Yeast Diaper Rash The strain of yeast that's responsible for diaper rash is a fungus called Candida. It grows best in warm, moist places—such as under a wet diaper. Infants who are taking antibiotics, or whose mothers are taking antibiotics while breastfeeding, are more likely to have a yeast diaper rash. Other common causes of yeast diaper rash include frequent bowel movements, acids in the stool, too-tight diapers, and reactions to soaps or products used to clean cloth diapers. Yeast Diaper Rash Symptoms The symptoms of a yeast diaper rash include: Bold red rash contained within a slightly raised borderPimples, blisters, ulcers, or sores filled with pus Rash only under the diaper, not spreading to other areasRash that hangs around after 2 days of diaper rash treatmentsRed or scaly areas (for boys on the scrotum and penis, for girls on the labia and vagina)Satellite lesions, or smaller red patches that blend with the other patches Over-the-Counter Treatments You may not need to take your baby to the doctor in order to treat yeast diaper rash. In many cases, such infections can be cleared up with the simple application of some over-the-counter topical treatments. Three easy-to-find anti-fungal creams are Mycostatin (nystatin), Lotrimin (clotrimazole), and Monistat-Derm (miconazole micatin). Ask your pediatrician if she has a preference if you aren't sure which to use. If the infection does not subside after the 4–7 days of treatment often prescribed on the label, it's important to contact your doctor. A 1% hydrocortisone cream may also be recommended for severe rashes. When to Call the Doctor Reach out to your pediatrician if your infant develops a fever or the rash begins oozing or has open sores, pimples, or blisters. This could indicate a bacterial infection that requires medical attention. If your baby is less than 6-weeks-old it's best to be on the safe side and call the doctor with any concerns. Rashes that get worse, don't subside, or spread to the abdomen, back, arms, or face require medical attention. If your doctor recommends an office visit, she will often diagnose the rash just by looking at it. There is also a simple test she may do to confirming that it is yeast. Called the KOH test, it involves scraping the area and looking at it under a microscope to see if yeast is present. Yeast Diaper Rash Prevention Keeping your baby's bottom clean and dry is the best prevention and treatment for yeast diaper rash. Avoid baby wipes that have perfumes or alcohol.Be sure cloth diapers are rinsed two or three times in the washer and don't use fabric softeners or dryer sheets.Change your baby's diaper as soon as he urinates or passes stool. Clean the diaper area gently with water with every diaper change. Let your baby "air out" by going diaper-free for half an hour several times a day. Pat the area dry or allow to air dry.Place the diaper on loosely. If it's too tight, it can irritate the baby's skin.Use absorbent diapers that keep moisture off your baby's skin.Use breathable diaper covers instead of plastic or rubber pants over cloth diapers.Wash your hands before and after changing a diaper. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Jain A, Jain S, Rawat S. Emerging fungal infections among children: A review on its clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and prevention. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2010;2(4):314–320. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.72131 Fölster-holst R. Differential diagnoses of diaper dermatitis. Pediatr Dermatol. 2018;35 Suppl 1:s10-s18. doi:10.1111/pde.13484 Taudorf EH, Jemec GBE, Hay RJ, Saunte DML. Cutaneous candidiasis - An evidence-based review of topical and systemic treatments to inform clinical practice. 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