Yeast/fungal Diaper Rash Treatment?

Updated on January 20, 2011
C.R. asks from Birmingham, AL
12 answers

My toddler has a diaper rash that has not resolved with typical treatment (frequent diaper changes, gentle cleaning and topical ointment). It looks very much like the yeast/fungal diaper rash photos online - with red dots. She has no fever and doesn't act irritated by the rash, so I haven't rushed to the doctor.

I'm interested in hearing from any of you who have treated a yeast or fungal diaper rash. Did you take the child to a pediatrician for a diagnosis before beginning treatment? How did you treat the rash (which antifungal)? How long did it take to resolve? Did the child have a reoccurrence?

Thanks Mamas!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice! It didn't occur to me to avoid sugar; I especially appreciated the suggestions regarding a change in diet.
I started treatment with a topical antifungal (the one my FP doc recommended) twice a day, and a regular diaper rash cream throughout the day. The rash has definitely lessened in severity, but I imagine it'll take a couple more days to clear-up.

Featured Answers

T.L.

answers from St. Louis on

Two words. Pink Sav. I love the stuff and it does wonders when nothing else does. If you google it they have a website and it is also sold on Amazon.

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A.F.

answers from Chicago on

Took her to the pediatrician and was given a prescription antifungal cream. We ate lots of yogurt, used the cream, let the area dry completely before rediapering, cut out juices etc (they seemed to make it worse). It went away. We also started taking probiotics (that I would put in her drink -- opening the capsule and dumping them in) when she had to be on antibiotics or had an infection...they said safe for infants and had the dosage on the side. One time, one was so bad, we also had to use a burn cream on top of the antifungal -- hope that is NOT your case! Best wishes!

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Our pediatrician said to use a combo of neosporin, yeast cream (like lotramin or generic) and a barrier cream (like A&D) when she has a bad rash. It hits the 3 main causes. If that doesn't help, go to the pediatrician for more advice.

You might also consider a food allergy. I couldn't figure out what was going on with my daughter til one day I realized that any time she had apples she broke out. We cut out the apples, and the rashes are gone.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Per our Pediatrician, she said to use the over the counter yeast creams... with Clotrimazole in it.
There is a 7-day or 3-day ointment.
You have to follow the instructions on the box, apply it at least 3 times a day.
Not internally, but on the affected areas.

But, you also might want to take her to the Doctor.

Yeast/fungal infections, can recur as well.
Or take awhile to go away.
Yeast infections, do recur.

I also used the Burt's Bees "Baby Bee" diaper ointment, which is REALLY great.
Applying it, patting it on, after the yeast cream.
Or just put on the yeast cream, thoroughly covering the affected areas.

Only an anti-yeast cream, will get rid of a yeast infection.

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C.D.

answers from Dallas on

OK, I had to deal with this situation with my little boy. It worked very well!

I put a layer of antifungal cream (generic stuff) and then put Aquifor on top of that as a barrier. It totally cleared it up! I then would put Aquifor on him anytime it would look even just a little red to keep it from reappearing.

Good luck!

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G.B.

answers from Detroit on

You can buy over the counter monistat for vaginal yeast and use it nicely for yeast infections. Be sure to keep the area as dry as possible, airdry the bottom when you can and eliminate sweets from the diet (yours, if you're breastfeeding) and hers if you're not. Yeast loves sugar!

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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Follow the great advice so far regarding using the anti-fungal creams. We used to be able to buy a combo diaper rash mixed with a Nyastatin cream. But I don't see it anymore....

My favorite treatment were salt rinses...just dissolve some salt (Kosher, Sea Salt, Epsom, Dead Sea, table, etc)in some warm water in a sink or tub or large bowl and have your little one sit a minute or so. Pat the wateroff and blow dry with a blower dryer. Then apply the creams. And eat yogurts or probiotics.

Once clear, always use a diaper ointment with every diaper change as a preventative measure.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

get rid of the sugar and get some nystasin I also suggest arbonne diaper rash ointment highly and no i dont sell it :) take him off of juice, give him wheat bread only brown rice, and wheat pasta. no sugar. lots of protien the only sugar i allow is the diabetic sugar. I put my son on a diabetic diet and he hasnt had one since. he had one for almost a year straight and trust me I tried everything under the son probotics atheletes foot medication nystasin didnt work and he was on oral and topical simotaniously. if you need more info pm me.

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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

We have jsut been dealing with this with DS for past 2 months. it started as diaper rash that wouldn't go away then started looking like yeast. None of the OTC creams or even RX Nystatin was working so we had a culture. it showed yeast and staph. So we had to do a round of anti-biotics (which made the yeast worse and it spread to his neck even with anti fungal creams.
We finally found an RX ointment that worked...Vusion along with oral Fluconizole. Can be very expensive w/out insurance but with I only paid $25. The ointment has antifungal and zinc oxide to create a really good barrier. This seemed to slow the growth enough to combat with creams, baths in baking soda and lots of air drying & aquaphor.

I can only stress to take care of it sooner than later. We stopped the vusion ointment a month ago as his diaper area looked better. Then a few nights later as he got warm playing outside he broke out neck to ankle with bumps and as they go away they get very dry feeling. i slathered the poor guy in aquaphor for days. We now are giving him an herbal remedy ( I can't remember the name and am at work) and it is finally clearing up. If it gets so bad it becomes systemic and can hang around for a very long time!

Good luck and I hope she gets better quickly!

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A.A.

answers from Jackson on

I've had ongoing issues with my son and diaper rash. Twice now it's been a yeast infection. I took him to the Dr the first time and just treated it the second time. I use Monistat 7 cream with A&D ointment on top and it cleared up in a day or two. I continued to use the monistat 7 for a few days after it cleared up to make sure it was really gone.

GOOD LUCK!! I have lots of first hand experience of the frustrations of diaper rash and sensitive skin!!

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R.R.

answers from Dallas on

Combine OTC yeast cream (like anti-fungal for athletes foot or even vaginal) - anti-biotic like neosporin, and cortisone. It will be better in 2 diaper changes.

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A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

The red dots that don't clear up with diaper rash ointment is most likely a yeast infection. Both my daughters got those as babies. Generic anti-fungal will work wonders. Ask the pharmacist for a recommendation. I think you use it like 2 times a day and it should clear up within 2 days. Good luck!

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