How to Determine if Your Baby Has a Diaper Rash or Yeast Skin Condition

Diaper rash is common and is caused by wetness or friction on the sensitive skin of your baby's bottom. A yeast infection is less common in babies, but may be caused by a diaper rash that goes untreated. You may think that only women suffer from yeast infections, but everybody -- baby boys included -- has perfectly harmless levels of yeast in their bodies. Yeast is a fungus that thrives in warm, wet conditions, making a baby's bottom a prime target.

Things You'll Need

  • Barrier ointment
  • Topical antifungal cream

Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the diaper rash. Your baby will have red bumps on his bottom and around his genitals, which may cause him some discomfort. Normally, diaper rash is caused by a combination of too much moisture, too little air and irritants that come into contact with the skin, such as disposable diapers, baby wipes and laundry products.

    • 2

      Keep your baby's bottom as clean and dry as possible. Change her diaper frequently. Ditch the baby wipes and clean your baby's bottom with plain water and a washcloth or cotton wool balls. Give her lots of bare bottom time (at least 10 minutes) between changes to let air circulate around her skin. Make sure her skin is completely dry before applying a barrier ointment to her diaper area. Try a petroleum-based product and a zinc-oxide cream to determine which is most successful on your baby's skin. Check that her diaper isn't on too tight, as this will prevent air from circulating.

    • 3

      Change your diaper brand, laundry detergent and bath soap if the rash lasts more than a few days. Think about your baby's diet, as too much juice and citrus fruits can increase the amount of urine he produces and the acidity of his stools.

    • 4

      Make an appointment with your primary care doctor if the diaper rash persists despite your best efforts to treat it. It may be a yeast infection. Breastfed babies and infants taking antibiotics are more prone to yeast infections. A yeast infection can also pass from one part of the body to another, so if your baby had a yeast infection in her mouth it could pass to her diaper area via the food that moves through her digestive system. A yeast infection may appear as a scalier, redder rash than a diaper rash, and tends to appear in the folds of the skin.

    • 5

      Obtain a topical antifungal cream to treat the yeast infection, such as nystatin, clotrimazole or miconazole. Many treatments are available from your pharmacist without a prescription. Use the cream as directed and wait for it to clear up. You should notice a difference in the appearance of your baby's skin after a few days.

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