Diaper Rash or Yeast

Updated on July 03, 2012
J.H. asks from Portland, TN
18 answers

I just wanted to ask other moms my 8 month daugther had a rash of her vagina it first started off like little red bumps. I took her to her doctor and he gave me a hydrocortison cream three times a day. I have been using it and it is now raw and peeling and hurts her now worse than before. Could it be yeast or allergic reaction to the new diapers or just drying it up. HELP ME

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K.S.

answers from Hickory on

Get back to the doctor ASAP and let him/her see that the first try didn't work, so something else can be tried.

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T.B.

answers from Nashville on

Hey J., Balmex is zinc oxide and works well and you can get it at a pharmacy. If you want a botanically based product, I suggest ABC Arbonne Baby Care Diaper Rash Cream which you can get online at www.teresabennett.myarbonne.com. I'm a pharmacist and recommend it. The cream will help her heal whether the rash is allergic response or yeast.

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R.N.

answers from Jacksonville on

Both of my kids, both preemies, had the same thing (they are now 16 and 4) when they were babies. It could be an allergic reaction, but it would most likely be up around her waist if it were the diaper. It sounds like yeast to me. I would get her back to her doctor to be sure, but regardless of whether it is a reaction or yeast, she will probably need a prescription to cure it. Using hydrocortisone for extended periods of time is not good because it can thin the skin. Good luck, and I hope she feels better soon.

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H.S.

answers from Lexington on

Call the doctor again and let them know how the current treatment is going. They may want to switch you to an anti-fungal ointment or another treatment regimen.

My DD, 10 months, is just getting over a bad diaper rash, and this is what our doctor (also a mommy) had us do: Apply Nystatin ointment (Rx anti-fungal), apply Desitin Original (has 40% zinc oxide, highest you can buy OTC), sprinkle on Baby Gold Bond powder (also has zinc oxide). She gradually got over the diaper rash and is now better.

I will say that for a few days while treating the rash we visited DH's mother, and we used a different brand of diaper since she had some there for us. During that time the rash got worse, then started to clear up again once we got home and started using our normal brand of diapers. Diaper rash can come from all sorts of things, even strep (your doctor can swab the area and do a quick test). Good luck with your daughter.

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I.N.

answers from Raleigh on

Could be a yeast infection or an allergic reaction. My kids were allergic to perfumes in diapers which caused them to get horrible rashes. One was allergic to Huggies, and 2 were allergic to Pampers. I could use the Target brand on all of them with no problems. Switch diapers, and call your pediatrician. Good luck!

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R.L.

answers from Nashville on

J.,
Be careful. My daugther had little red bumps on her vaginal lips. They told me that it a fungal problem. So I started putting antifungal cream on her it had it worse. Then the ped. told me that it was a yeast infection and gave me cream, it made it worse. Need lees to say after six visits to our ped. and six misdiagonsed, we were sent to a derm. and they had no clue. Three visits later and two different diagonses I just went to Vandys ER for children. The ped. derm. told me that she has psorais (spelling?). After they gave me a steriod cream which burn her the first time and a Z pac, it went away. Later on my derm. told me that he had another little kid with the same bumps on him. They really did ever tell me what it was. My daugther has not had any signs since. I tell you this because I know what is like when you child has something and know body has a clue and what you are doing could be making it worse. It is such a hopeless and fustrating feeling. Go to as many doctors as you need to. Do not setle for one opinion. If you have any questions you can write me and also I have pictures if you need to compare. Also watch for it to spread.

R.

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi J., it sounds as though it is not yeast since the infection did not respond to the treatment. It could be diaper rash ... however, I had the same thing happen with my daughter and it turned out actually to be strep. I know that is strange, but if your baby girl has had a cold recently, you might want to see your pediatrician and check into that. That is what it turned out to be with my daughter and she had the same symptoms that yours does. We tried the yeast medicine first too.

Good luck!

D.
http://www.BizForMomsOnline.com

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B.O.

answers from Nashville on

My son got about 6 yeast rashes on his butt, from about 6 months to 18 months. They were so annoying in reguards to the treatment, but not horrible in regards to pain for him. We did as many butt baths as we could during the day
(basically I tried to do one after each diaper change), I would just sit his bottom half in the sink of warm water and tons of baking soda. This really helped dry out the infection. I would then put the hydro cream on it and than a coat of desatin on top. This is all what my Dr. advised. It reall helped clear it up each time. When I asked why we had so many occurances, he told me that yeast is a naturanny occuring substance in the body, and he was very suseptiable. Fortunately we haven't had any infections since (my son is now almost 3)

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A.J.

answers from Memphis on

Jesus!!!!!!! Diaper rash is a yeast infection on the skin- I don't know why your doctor would give you hydrocortisone for that, all it does and take down the itch- and it can cause skin irritation and peeling. Request some Nystatin, that's what the doctor gave me for yeast. Unless she's allergic to topical yeast creams.... Seriously, though, the little red bumps is yeast. I use a hair dryer on the coolest setting to blow dry my son's bottom (he's 8 months also), it makes him pee in his diaper so I don't use two diapers at every changing, and it helps keep his diaper area dry. He never had diaper rash technically, just a red spot or two on his scrotum after a stay at his grandma's, she totally does not let his stuff air out or use a dryer. Since the weather's cooling off you may be tempted to use a warmer setting on the dryer, just make sure you move it over her bottom quickly so she won't get burned. Good luck!

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T.R.

answers from Rockford on

I really dont know what is wrong with the baby but when i heard the doctor gave you hydrocortisone i thought i would let you know what i was told my 2 year old daughter got nummelar eczema from allergies and i was putting hydro on it it was on her cheeks and legs her cheeks looked almost wind burned but after about a week and a half or her keepin this rash i took her to the er i had to doctors tell me that i was using the right stuff it just wasnt strong enough and that i ABSOLUTLEY should not put hydro in sensitive skin areas like her cheeks and u would think its more sensitive down below he told me what happensis the hydrocortisone cream will cause her skin to thin in the areas she uses it and shouldn't use it for long periods of time like a week week and a half on a young child he said it would make her skin think and you would be able to see her little veins in her face and i could be totally off i know this isn't the answer to what u asked i just thought u should know i was told by two doctors that it thins the skin so maybe that is why the poor thing is startin to be raw.something they told me to use is a lotion it actually feels more like vaseiline it is called aquafa(i believe i know its aqua something) they have it in regular lotion sections and in the baby section. they told me to put that on her face and it says good for diaper rash right on it, the doctors said its such good stuff way back in the day u needed a prescription for it.i know this wont fix the oriblem especially if its not just a rash but i would try nit using hyrdo and use aquafa for a lil while and see if it helps it did wonder on my baby her whole cheeks were red and looked like they were really wind burn(but it hadnt been cold or windy) and it cleared it up within a week so good luck and i hope this helps some if not heal it all together but u can always go get a yeast infection test from the store or wait awhile and if its not gettin better take her back it could be a uti or yeast infection but im sure the doctor knows what it was when looking at then again i still cant believe he gave her hydrocotisone i mean i could be wrong it could be safe down there i know its not on your childs face though,sorry i wrote a book i just feel for the baby my baby has only had diaper rash 2-3 times and it killed me so good luck to you guys

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R.H.

answers from Clarksville on

You are the second person lately that I have heard that their doctor gave hydrocortisone for yeast infection. I don't understand. Whenever my children had a yeast infection the peds doc gave Ketoconazole Cream. That stuff worked wonders.
About the hydrocortisone cream: One, it is used for minor skin rashes due to irritation or bug bites, not yeast infection. Two, I am going to copy and paste what the FDA says about this cream and babies. It is alarming.

FDA:
"Children may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic toxicity (See PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric Use).

If irritation develops, topical corticosteroids should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Parents of pediatric patients should be advised not to use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child being treated in the diaper area, as these garments may constitute occlusive dressings.

Pediatric Use
Pediatric patients may demonstrate greater susceptibility to topical corticosteroid-induced HPA axis suppression and Cushing's syndrome than mature patients because of a larger skin surface area to body weight ratio.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in pediatric patients receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in pediatric patients include linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, low plasma cortisol levels, and absence of response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations of intracranial hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.

Administration of topical corticosteroids to pediatric patients should be limited to the least amount compatible with an effective therapeutic regimen. Chronic corticosteroid therapy may interfere with the growth and development of pediatric patients.

Adverse Reactions
The following local adverse reactions are reported infrequently with topical corticosteroids, but may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings.These reactions are listed in an approximate decreasing order of occurrence: burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, and miliaria."

God Bless~

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D.R.

answers from Charlotte on

hi J.!
my daughter was a premie and was 4lbs. 5ozs. so i know exactly how you feel. i was so afraid with her and she was my second. her ped told me that anytime you see the red bumps assume it has at least some yeast present. he told me to get otc lotrimin cream and put a layer on under the regular diaper rash cream/ointment you regularly use. also, make sure you get her as dry as posssible. i used the hair dryer like another mom suggested and tried to let her air out as long as i could when changing her. sometimes an oatmeal bath can help because it is drying also. the lotrimin cream worked well for us and it doesn't require a prescription and is reasonably priced. best of luck and i hope she feels better soon!

D.

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D.W.

answers from Memphis on

It sounds like a yeast infection to me. My daughter would get them when she was in diapers. The rash was blistered, blood red and would bleed when I had to clean poop off. My ped told me that diaper rashes usually are yeast infections (especially in girls), and being in the diaper makes them worse. She suggested that I use Monistat instead of diaper rash creams. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it began to clear. It seemed like it only took a few hours. That was great for me, and even better for my daughter. I never went back to using traditional diaper rash creams, even on my boys. The Monistat just worked better and faster.

D. W

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A.M.

answers from Memphis on

#1 find a new doctor. One who is into treating causes, not just symptoms. Why does she have the rash and what will get to the root of it? Instead of prescribing something to mask symptoms.

#2 yes it sounds a lot like yeast.

What I have done for these sorts of rashes in the past- I am pretty natural in my treatments of myself and my family- is use tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil in a coconut oil carrier. It works great! For rashes with skin breakdown- it's already gotten bad- I add an extra coat of lanolin (lansinoh is a good brand, it's sold for sore nipples) to waterproof it. Also washing with water and a little vinegar with cloths rather than wipes can help, yeast likes some types of wipes. Wash the cloths in hot water with vinegar. Some have had good results with an A&D type ointment like Desitin if you prefer something premixed and over the counter. You can easily research more about the oils and how to use them on-line. They should be available locally at a healthfood store near you. You can also research yeast infections! An easy treatment is to apply yogurt topically- make sure it is plain yogurt and get the best brand you can find, Stonyfield farms is good if you can get it.

Good luck, I hope her rash clears up quickly!

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A.M.

answers from Charlotte on

Usually the red bumps mean a yeast infection and it can move up the back and out the diaper area unlike a diaper rash. May want to stop that cream and call the doctor. My little one gets on everytime she takes an antibiotic. The doctor finally gave me an Rx that help cleared it up quick.

A. M

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A.B.

answers from Charlotte on

It sounds like yeast, but I would call the doctor back and let him know what is going on. Hydrocortison shouldn't do that...regardless.

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S.C.

answers from Nashville on

I found a couple of things that helped my children. First, after washing always dry well. Arbonne makes a wondering diaper rash cream that is pure, safe and beneficial. No harsch chemicals. It runs about $9 a tube and lasts a long time. Also, there is a primadolpholis ( I am not sure I spelled that correctly) that is a powder that you can place on the child's tongue. They like the taste and it will promote healthy bacteria in the digestive system helping to reduce the problems. Also, lots of water helps to reduce the acidity of the urine. You can also look up information on the primadopholis in the Baby Book by Dr. Williams Sears. My daughter has trouble with thrush and my doctor prescribed nystatin. After two prescriptions, she still had it. I tried the primadolpholis suggested by Dr. Sears and my child was better in 24 hours. She also like the taste. The nystatin was torture for her. I hope these help. If you need any Arbonne products or are looking for a way to stay home with your child, please call me at ###-###-####).

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M.S.

answers from Nashville on

Definitely sounds like yeast. The red bumps are usually a sign. Hydrocortisone cream won't work with yeast. We battled yeast infections with both of ours, girl and boy. We used Nystatin (prescription med) but did not have the best of luck with that. My pediatrician recommended trying Genetian Violet. You can buy it OTC at most pharmacies. It's in a small bottle similar to an iodine bottle. There is an applicator attached to the lid, or you can use a cotton swab. Apply it to the rash, covering the entire area. BUT BE CAREFUL... It is violet, just like the name says. It will stain whatever it touches. Her skin will be purple for a few days, but it will eventually wash fade away after baths and diaper changes, etc. Neither of my children experienced any pain from this, and it worked VERY well. Good Luck!!

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