Does your baby suffer from diaper rash that persists despite of all your efforts to treat it? If so, there is a higher chance that your baby suffers from yeast infection.
Yeast Infection Diaper Rash- What You Should Know.
Diaper rashes are commonly associated with the impairment of the skin integrity instead of being associated to specific fungal or bacterial infection. Stool and Urine acidity as well as chronic wetness are among the most common elements perceived as the root cause of diaper rash (diaper dermatitis). Yet, there are certain cases when a superficial infection became the cause of the rash. Candida albicans, commonly known as yeast, is one of those.
Diaper Rash typically starts with softening of the tissue that surround the anus and will eventually breakdown. The infected body part appears elevated and red. At some cases, fluids may also become visible under the baby’s skin. Small, elevated and beefy red body areas (also referred as satellite pustules) typically appears at the rash’s periphery. Satellite pustules are one unique characteristic of yeast infection diaper rash. This kind of diaper rash typically appears on genitals, genital creases, abdomen, and thighs. Oftentimes, the onset of yeast diaper rash comes along with thrush infection (yeast infection on the mouth). Generally, diaper rash caused by candida albica infection tend to last for more than 2 days and does not respond to the traditional treatment for diaper rash.
Yeast Infection is Not Just for Women
Yeast Infection is most common for women. Thus, many ask why their baby has one. Generally speaking, everyone does have harmless amounts of candida albicans inside their body. This is actually a fungus that thrives in wet, warm places such as vagina, skin, bowels, and mouth. Even your baby boy can experience yeast infection diaper rash due to the moist nature of wet diaper. The degree of susceptibility tends to rise when there is an existing untreated diaper rash.
Babies of mothers who take antibiotics or the babies themselves who are taking antibiotics are more vulnerable to yeast infections. The reason behind is that antibiotics overpower and eventually kill the all the good bacteria living inside your body. Good bacteria are responsible for keeping candida in check. Without these, yeast often grows abundantly.
Moreover, as what have mentioned above, a child who recently experience thrush may also experience yeast infection diaper rash. That is because candida albicans passes through the child’s digestive system upon eating, eventually ends up on his tool then land in the diaper, which is just next to the baby’s skin.
Yeast Infection Diaper Rash Treatment
In case of yeast infection, it is recommended to consult your child’s physician prior on making your own treatment. Usually, regular creams for diaper rash won’t help in this case. Physicians usually suggest an antifungal or anti-yeast cream like miconazole, clotrimazole, nystatin, or a mild corticosteroid. These creams are usually available at the drugstore and are often used without prescription (though many purchase such creams without doctor’s prescription, it still best to buy one with prescription). Occasionally, other antifungal creams prescription such as econazole and nizoral creams are necessary. Sometimes, because of intestinal reservoir of the Candida species, most patients suffering from yeast infection diaper rash are recommended to take oral antifungal medicines along with the topical creams.
Regardless of the kind of prescribed medication, it is vital to follow the product’s direction of use. Refrain from using cornstarch or talcum powder. The latter can get into the baby’s lungs while cornstarch worsens the rash.
If the recommended treatment does not make any difference or does not alleviate the rash within three days, immediately consult the child’s physician. It is also imperative to seek physician’s help once your child experience fever or when the rash develops oozing yellow-colored patched or open sores.
Is There Any Inappropriate Anti-yeast Treatment?
Yes, there is. Betamethasone dipropionate is a topical corticosteroid that is fluorinated and has high potency. You can usually encounter this under the product name Lotrisone. Most mothers out there use this product inappropriately. Potent Corticosteroids like this one does not play any role in the treatment of yeast diaper rash. Generally, it do more harm than good. The absorption of highly-potent steroid are said to produce numerous different side effects, some of which are potentially severe.
How to Prevent Yeast Infection Diaper Rash
Prevention is always better than cure. Although yeast infection is inevitable when your baby is taking antibiotic or has just recovered from thrush, there is still a chance to lessen the possibility of infection. Mothers or any other individual who are taking care of the child should keep the environment that C. albicans love always in check. Some of the possible steps you can take include the following:
- Check the baby’s diaper as often as possible. Eventually change soiled and wet diapers.
- Thoroughly clean the baby’s bottom after having a bowel movement. Completely dry the area prior on putting on clean diaper.
- Give the baby bare-butt time to let his bottom have some air.
- Do not put diapers too tightly. Doing so can inhibit the air from circulating around the baby’s skin.
In relation to yeast infection diaper rash, some studies have shown that applying barrier creams such as zinc oxide (A-and-D ointment, Diaparene, Desitin) and petroleum jelly can possibly prevent diaper rash. Apply the mentioned products to the diaper area after baby bath. These products may possibly decrease the moisture within the diaper area. Cleaning the area in a subtle way may also help. Air exposure, as mentioned above, can also help.
As much as possible, take preventive measures to save your child from yeast infection diaper rash. You sure do not want to hear and see your child cry all day and suffer from pain caused by such. Although yeast infection is not a life-threatening disease, it is still awful and causes baby discomfort. Your little angel is not supposed to experience such, and you sure do not want them to.