Candidal Diaper Rash: How to Care for Your Child

A candidal diaper rash is a diaper rash that is infected by yeast, a type of germ. It's usually not serious but can make a child uncomfortable. It's treated by changing diapers often, applying antifungal medicines, and protecting the skin in the diaper area. Follow these instructions to clear up your child's diaper rash.

• Use the prescribed antifungal medicine and any other creams or ointments as instructed by your health care provider.

• Check your child's diaper often and change it as soon as it's wet or soiled.

• When changing your child's diaper:

  1. Wash the skin gently with a soft cloth and warm water. Or use a squeeze bottle to run warm water over your baby's bottom. If you use soap, use one that is mild and fragrance-free. Do not use baby wipes.

  2. Gently pat the skin dry with a soft cloth. Do not rub the skin.

  3. Apply the prescription antifungal medicine.

  4. Apply a skin ointment or paste such as Desitin®, Triple Paste®, Balmex®, or a store brand.

  5. If needed, apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline® or a store brand) over the ointment or paste to stop it from sticking to the diaper.

• If your child only has pee in the diaper and it is not time for the antifungal medicine, you don't need to remove all of the ointment or paste with each diaper change. Just wash with warm water.

• Don't use powder.

• If you can, let your child's bottom air out without a diaper on. You could place your child in the crib with a waterproof sheet or on a large towel on the floor.

• The diaper rash gets worse or doesn't get better in a few days.

• Your child has blisters or pus draining from the skin.

• Your child seems very uncomfortable.

• Your child has a fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher.

What causes candidal diaper rash? There is a small amount of yeast on everyone's skin. When a child has a diaper rash, the broken down skin lets the candida yeast grow. This leads to a candidal diaper rash.

How can I prevent diaper rash? To prevent another diaper rash:

• Change diapers often.

• Use diaper ointment or paste with every diaper change.

• If you use baby wipes, be sure they are fragrance-free.

• If you use cloth diapers, wash them in dye- and fragrance-free detergent and do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets.