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Updated on September 18, 2024
Created on June 26, 2023
6 Minutes to read
Blog Summary
Nappy rash is not exceptionally uncommon. Irritation alone is what causes common nappy rash (dermatitis). But this common nappy rash differs from a yeast diaper rash.
A fungus called yeast (Candida) develops naturally in the human body. However, excessive growth leads to what we refer to as a "yeast infection."
The yeast infection nappy rash (also known as "yeast nappy rash") is specifically brought on by yeast overgrowth. Simply described, it is a fungal infection.
Unsurprisingly, a yeast nappy rash can develop fast, given that yeast prefers warm, moist surroundings. Let's examine the causes of a yeast diaper rash and the elements that make your baby's skin vulnerable.
The cause of a yeast nappy rash is simple: an overgrowth of yeast. Here are some factors that can contribute to or lead to yeast overgrowth.
Yeasts love warm, moist environments, and your baby's nappy area is just that — especially in the folds of their skin.
Unfortunately, if your child has a recurring nappy rash, this indicates that their skin is already inflamed, vulnerable, and open to a yeast nappy rash. Their natural skin barrier is compromised and less effective in warding off yeast.
A wonder of contemporary medicine is antibiotics.
Antibiotics can kill bacteria that may harm you or your child but can also change the body's beneficial bacteria. Occasionally, a change in the good bacteria allows yeast to flourish.
As a result, infants taking antibiotics may be more susceptible to getting a yeast nappy rash. If the mum is taking antibiotics, the same is true for babies who are breastfeeding.
Thrush is in the mouth and may seem to have nothing to do with a nappy rash, but it does!
Since thrush is also a yeast infection, it can go in one end and out the other. That means it can end up in your baby's nappy and on their bum.
So, if your baby recently has thrush, it won't be surprising if they develop a yeast nappy rash.
If your baby needs to go, they've got to go. Frequent bowel movement means more chances for a yeast nappy rash.
This is because the excrement can potentially alter the bacterial balance on the skin. Additionally, it may irritate, which, as we all know, facilitates yeast overgrowth.
Babies who recently experienced diarrhea are likelier to get a yeast nappy rash.
Now that you know the how things can contribute to and cause a yeast nappy rash to develop, let's look at what you should be looking for. By recognising the symptoms, you can tell if your infant has this form of rash or something else entirely.
"Clues that a rash might be due to a yeast infection include shiny, bright pink patches with sharp edges. It may also have little pink bumps or pimples. In severe cases, there may be cracking skin that oozes or bleeds. Unlike irritant nappy rash, a yeast nappy rash is usually worse in the groin folds."
In addition, a yeast nappy rash is typically well defined and may be raised on the edges. It can also have surrounding rashes near the main rash.
And one of the clues will be that it won't go away when you treat it as you would a regular nappy rash.
To help you determine which type you're dealing with, here's a look at the main differences between the two.
Baby with normal nappy rash
Yeast nappy rashes are usually bright red or pink. On the other hand, normal nappy rashes often have more flushed appearance and can be darker in colour.
If the redness worsens in the folds of skin near the groin, it might be a yeast nappy rash. An everyday, irritant-caused rash is often found on the chubby parts of the bum.
In addition, yeast rashes may have several more minor spots throughout the nappy area. A plain rash is usually found in one large area without the satellite patches.
Bumpy, cracked, or oozy skin are signs of yeast. In addition, the red patches may appear shiny. Regular rashes are smoother and look dry.
Yeast nappy rashes won't respond to a regular nappy rash cream. If the rash stays longer than three days and it isn't getting better with your home treatments, it's likely caused by yeast.
The severity of your child's rash and how quickly you begin treating it will determine how long it takes to treat a yeast nappy rash.
A yeast diaper rash often takes a few days and three weeks to disappear once you start using an antifungal cream completely. Remember that the redness could fade during the healing process before the yeast overgrowth is treated.
So, once the rash has subsided, do not stop taking the prescription. Continue using the cream until you have finished the entire course of treatment recommended by your healthcare practitioner. This will reduce the likelihood of the condition returning.
It's best to follow up with your baby's doctor for a new assessment if their bottom isn't improving after a few days.
Despite having a terrible appearance, yeast nappy rashes are frequently more itchy and irritating than painful.
However, you might see your infant rubbing or trying to scratch its bums. Additionally, it could become more agitated or fussy during nappy changes. This is typical and occurs when you touch and wipe an area that is irritated and feels uncomfortable.
Call your baby's doctor immediately if they appear to be in real pain. They may offer further suggestions for how to make your child feel better.
The rash might become more painful, ooze and spread if left untreated. Additionally, if your infant scrapes the rash and creates more open sores, it may become infected.
Monitor for infection-related symptoms, such as a fever or red patches surrounding the rash. These signs could point to a more significant issue needing a different action.
Your child's bottom may develop red patches for various reasons, not just nappy rashes. Here are two additional possible reasons:
Your baby's bottom may develop red, itchy bumps due to impetigo or another bacterial illness. Take your child to the doctor as soon as possible if they have any elevated, fluid-filled legions or crusted-over sores.
People with psoriasis might develop red, scaly skin patches everywhere, even around their nappy areas.
Make an appointment with your baby's doctor for a precise diagnosis if you see any of the typical symptoms of psoriases, such as dry, patchy skin or silver-coloured scales, on your baby's bottom close to the nappy area. They may need hydrocortisone cream to help clear up their skin.
First, it's a good idea to consult your child's healthcare practitioner if the nappy rash persists, especially if it starts to look suspicious or if your child is running a fever.
The doctor can confirm if your child has a yeast nappy rash and suggest a course of therapy if that is the case.
Regular nappy cream is calming but cannot get rid of yeast. Your doctor can advise you on this and, if necessary, prescribe an antifungal cream.
In addition to the cream, it's important to help your baby's skin along as it heals. We'll list several ways to care for your baby's bum to help with a yeast nappy rash.
But keep in mind that these are also good habits to get into to help prevent nappy rash in the first place!
Because yeast thrives in moist conditions, you should often change your baby's nappy to keep it as dry as possible. Establish the routine of checking their nappy frequently and replacing it when it becomes wet or soiled.
It's crucial to wipe your baby's skin when changing their nappy gently yet wholly. To clean the area, use a warm, soft washcloth.
Instead of using baby wipes, use fragrance-free, all-natural wipes made for sensitive skin.
Mustela Certified Organic Water Wipes are designed to gently and effectively clean susceptible, rashy, or reactive skin. They are incredibly soft and fragrance-free.
Additionally, they contain 99% plant-based ingredients, allowing you to gently cleanse your little one's skin and leave it soft, moisturised, and fresh.
Instead of rubbing your baby's bum and adding to the irritation, opt for air drying. When using this method, just ensure their skin is dry before putting on a nappy again.
If you are in a rush, try a hairdryer on the cool setting. Always test the air on yourself first, as it can be hot for your baby's delicate bottom.
It's usually a good idea to skip the nappy and let your baby hang around nappy-free for a while, whether after a nappy change to help dry their skin or in the middle of the day when you're at home.
Be sure to place your child in an area that is simple to clean up. A soft towel works wonderfully for soaking up spills. Additionally, it offers your child a comfortable spot to rest while airing out their bottoms.
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One of the issues when you tighten your baby's nappy too tightly is that the friction can hurt their skin. Additionally, a tight nappy traps moisture within, which is precisely the opposite of what you want when dealing with yeast.
Make sure your nappy is not too tight to avoid this
Speaking of tight nappies, if what your baby is wearing seems to be too fit, try upping the size. It's always best for your little one to have a nappy that fits properly, but it's even more critical when they have any kind of nappy rash.
Once the nappy is on, you should be able to slide two fingers under the waistband. If you can't, you should size up.
When using cloth nappies instead of disposable ones, the fabric might retain yeast for a very long period. You might not be able to remove it with your regular washing regimen completely. Unfortunately, this means that every time you change your child's nappy, you're reinfecting them.
To eliminate yeast, soak your nappies in a cold, diluted bleach water solution for 30 minutes. Then, rinse them in hot water before washing them.
The sun's UV rays should then be used to remove any yeast buildup as you hang your nappies outside to dry.
Because the risk of reinfection is high, many parents put their babies in disposables for the duration of their yeast nappy rash so they won't worry about infecting their entire stash of cloth nappies.
This is a good rule of thumb for any nappy change, but when dealing with a yeast nappy rash, clean your hands before and after changing your baby's nappy. Please wash your hands with soap and hot water, then scrub them for at least 20 seconds.
This helps stop the yeast from spreading continuously to you and your child. If you don't practise good hygiene, you could get a yeast infection because it is contagious.
A baby's skin is sensitive to lotions, creams, shampoos, and other cosmetics. However, you should take additional care when choosing your infant's products if they have sensitive skin or a rash.
Use a soap explicitly made for fragile skin to bathe your infant, such as our Soothing Cleansing Gel. This product gently cleanses your baby's skin while properly cleaning their hair and body. It was made with rash-prone, sensitive skin in mind. It soothes skin tingling sensations and redness, which are especially due to the irritating effect of hard water.
You can ditch the antifungal cream once your baby's rash is gone. However, the rest of these tips are still good practices to help keep your baby's skin clean and healthy.
Plus, it's essential to get in the habit of using a soothing, protecting nappy cream every day. We recommend our Vitamin Barrier Cream 1 2 3.
Getting rid of yeast might be difficult. If you don't entirely eliminate it, the rash can return.
Keep these suggestions in mind to prevent yeast from growing on your baby's bottom:
While you may not be able to completely prevent yeast nappy rashes from returning, these steps make them less likely to return.
While nappy rash is common, it's still uncomfortable for your little one! And if it's a yeast nappy rash, you'll need to treat it differently.
Care for your baby's bum and rash, as mentioned in this article, in addition to discussing it with your doctor and adhering to their recommendations.
When you change your baby (which should be frequently), clean their skin with our Eco Wipes and No-Rinse Cleansing Water , let their bottom air dry, and put their nappy on more loosely.
Finally, when your baby's yeast rash is gone, do what you can to prevent future nappy rash with a cream like our Vitamin Barrier Cream 123. Our Vitamin Barrier Cream soothes from the first application and offers protection that lasts until the following nappy change.
While you can't guarantee that your baby will never get a nappy rash, with care for your baby's bum, you can reduce the chances and keep your baby happy and comfortable!
