Yeast Diaper Rash

A diaper rash is a common condition that creates red and purple swollen, sore patches of skin near your baby’s diaper region.

Yeast is a type of fungus that naturally lives on your body in small amounts, often found in your mouth, skin and in your intestines. Your body also hosts healthy bacteria, which control the balance of yeast (microbiome) to prevent infection. If the balance of yeast and bacteria is off, yeast will overgrow, which will cause a rash.

Most common in diaper-wearing children, yeast, specifically Candida albicans yeast, could cause a diaper rash on infants if the balance of yeast and healthy bacteria is off balance. Infected feces are the main source for a Candida diaper rash.

Diaper rashes are the result of irritation from their diaper causing friction against their skin, an infection or an allergic reaction. A combination of irritation and infection from Candida overgrowth is a yeast diaper rash, also known as Candida diaper dermatitis.

Who does a yeast diaper rash affect?

A yeast diaper rash affects anyone who wears a diaper, but it’s most common in babies and infants. Rashes most often affect babies between nine months and one year.

How common are yeast diaper rashes?

Skin problems are common in infants and children. Most babies develop a form of diaper rash during the time that they wear a diaper. Studies show that nearly one out of every three infants could have a diaper rash at any point in time and more than half of children between four months and 15 months have a diaper rash at least once in a two-month period. A diaper rash is very common after taking systemic antibiotics.

How does a yeast diaper rash affect my baby’s body?

A diaper rash causes skin irritation and your baby will show signs of discomfort, like crying, trying to itch the area or they will become fussy, which might be difficult to ease. To lessen your baby’s reaction to the symptoms of the rash, visit or call your baby’s healthcare provider at the first sign to treat the condition.