Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceCausesHome TreatmentsPrescription TreatmentsWhen to See a ProviderComplicationsRecoveryPreventionOutlook
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Causes
Home Treatments
Prescription Treatments
When to See a Provider
Complications
Recovery
Prevention
Outlook
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In babies, a yeast infection looks different depending on if it appears on the skin or in the mouth.
Yeast Infection on the Skin
Yeast infections can look similar to diaper rash. There may be deep red or purple patches of skin with raised edges or bumps. The bumps may resemble pimples and can burst open and ooze. The skin may also flake.Yeast infections are common on the diaper area but may also appear in other places where there are folds of skin, such as the armpit or neck.
Oral Thrush
Babies can also get yeast infections in their mouths. When this happens, it’s called oral candidiasis or thrush. Symptoms include white patches that may appear inside the mouth or on the lips and tongue. These patches resemble cottage cheese and can’t be wiped away. There may also be cracked skin around the corners of the mouth.
What Causes a Yeast Infection in Babies?
Candida grows best in warm, damp surfaces such as the diaper area, the armpits, and folds of skin. This is because these areas may not receive enough air flow to help them dry out. When skin rubs against skin or against a wet or soiled diaper, it can cause irritation, which may contribute to the problem.
Ask your healthcare provider before using any treatments for oral thrush.
Soothing Diaper Rash Treatments That Work
Frequent Diaper Changes
Keep the Area Clean
Have Diaper-Free Time
Avoid Irritating Products
Use Barrier Creams
Barrier creams reduce the moisture in the diaper area or skin folds that are prone to yeast infections.
Are Natural Remedies Safe?
Natural remedies can be safe depending on which remedies you choose and where they are applied. Before you try a natural remedy, talk to your child’s healthcare provider.
Natural oil mixtures can alleviate the symptoms of yeast infections.Application of small amounts of oils or vinegar can help relieve the discomfort of a yeast infection, but you should avoid using these in the genital area.
How to Cure Candida Naturally
Is cornstarch an effective treatment for a yeast infection?No, cornstarch has not been proven to be an effective treatment for a yeast infection.
Is cornstarch an effective treatment for a yeast infection?
No, cornstarch has not been proven to be an effective treatment for a yeast infection.
What Medications Do Healthcare Providers Recommend?
Most mild yeast infections can be treated without a prescription, but in severe cases, your child’s healthcare provider may recommend medication.
Medicated Creams
With treatment, the rash should resolve in four to seven days.
If you notice side effects such as upset stomach, itchiness, or dry skin, contact your healthcare provider to determine if you should continue using the medication.
Antifungals for Oral Thrush
You can also treat thrush on your nipples with antifungal medication. Ask your healthcare provider which medications are safe to use while breastfeeding.
Oral Medications
Candida albicans, the strain that most commonly causes yeast infections, naturally resides in the body. This is why healthcare providers sometimes recommend oral antifungal medications.
The effectiveness of antifungal creams can decrease gradually, so an oral medication may be a better choice for some babies.
Diflucan(fluconazole) is a prescription oral drug that primarily slows down the growth of yeast. Children between the ages of 6 months and 13 years old may take it once daily for two weeks.
You should also contact your healthcare provider if your child is taking this medication and you notice severe side effects like nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
IV Medications
Some of these IV medicines cause unpleasant side effects, but they are reliable medicine for severe fungal infections.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your child’s healthcare provider right away if:
Your practitioner can identify a yeast infection via a physical exam. In rare cases, skin specialists called dermatologists may need to obtain samples of the affected area to test for a fungal infection in the laboratory.
Long-lasting oral thrush is sometimes a result of pacifiers or bottles not being properly boiled to remove the fungus.
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
A yeast infection may clear up in a few days or it may take as long as three weeks. The skin may start to look better before the infection has completely cleared. If your child’s healthcare provider prescribed a topical medication, you may need to keep applying it for up to 10 days, even if symptoms appear to have resolved.
Yeast infections usually clear up through use of natural home remedies like frequent diaper changes, air-drying, ointments, and other remedies mentioned above. However, it can be more difficult to treat a yeast infection than a diaper rash.
If you’ve tried treating the infection at home and it hasn’t gone away or seems severe, it’s always best to seek help from a healthcare provider.
Summary
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.Horii KA.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children (beyond the basics). In: Levy ML, Drutz J, eds.UpToDate. 2024.Nemours KidsHealth.Oral thrush.Nemours KidsHealth.Oral thrush.MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.Nationwide Children’s.Thrush and yeast infections.Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-679. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9Seifinadergoli Z, Nahidi F, Safaiyan A, Javadzadeh Y, Eteraf Oskouei T.Comparison of the efficacy of honey gel and clotrimazole cream in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis signs: a randomized clinical trial.J Caring Sci. 2020;9(3):162-167. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.024Woolen SA, Lazar AA, Smith-Bindman R.Association between the frequent use of perineal talcum powder products and ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Gen Intern Med. 2022;37(10):2526-32. doi:10.1007/s11606-022-07414-7Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.Thrush infections in babies.Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-9. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and other candida infections.Arsenault AB, Bliss JM.Neonatal candidiasis: new insights into an old problem at a unique host-pathogen interface.Curr Fungal Infect Rep.2015;9(4):246-252.Fölster‐Holst R.Differential diagnoses of diaper dermatitis.Ped Derm.2018;35(S1):s10-s18.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.Horii KA.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children (beyond the basics). In: Levy ML, Drutz J, eds.UpToDate. 2024.Nemours KidsHealth.Oral thrush.Nemours KidsHealth.Oral thrush.MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.Nationwide Children’s.Thrush and yeast infections.Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-679. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9Seifinadergoli Z, Nahidi F, Safaiyan A, Javadzadeh Y, Eteraf Oskouei T.Comparison of the efficacy of honey gel and clotrimazole cream in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis signs: a randomized clinical trial.J Caring Sci. 2020;9(3):162-167. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.024Woolen SA, Lazar AA, Smith-Bindman R.Association between the frequent use of perineal talcum powder products and ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Gen Intern Med. 2022;37(10):2526-32. doi:10.1007/s11606-022-07414-7Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.Thrush infections in babies.Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-9. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and other candida infections.Arsenault AB, Bliss JM.Neonatal candidiasis: new insights into an old problem at a unique host-pathogen interface.Curr Fungal Infect Rep.2015;9(4):246-252.Fölster‐Holst R.Differential diagnoses of diaper dermatitis.Ped Derm.2018;35(S1):s10-s18.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.Horii KA.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children (beyond the basics). In: Levy ML, Drutz J, eds.UpToDate. 2024.Nemours KidsHealth.Oral thrush.Nemours KidsHealth.Oral thrush.MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.Nationwide Children’s.Thrush and yeast infections.Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-679. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9Seifinadergoli Z, Nahidi F, Safaiyan A, Javadzadeh Y, Eteraf Oskouei T.Comparison of the efficacy of honey gel and clotrimazole cream in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis signs: a randomized clinical trial.J Caring Sci. 2020;9(3):162-167. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.024Woolen SA, Lazar AA, Smith-Bindman R.Association between the frequent use of perineal talcum powder products and ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Gen Intern Med. 2022;37(10):2526-32. doi:10.1007/s11606-022-07414-7Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.Thrush infections in babies.Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-9. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.
Horii KA.Patient education: Diaper rash in infants and children (beyond the basics). In: Levy ML, Drutz J, eds.UpToDate. 2024.
Nemours KidsHealth.Oral thrush.
MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.
Nationwide Children’s.Thrush and yeast infections.
Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-679. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9
Seifinadergoli Z, Nahidi F, Safaiyan A, Javadzadeh Y, Eteraf Oskouei T.Comparison of the efficacy of honey gel and clotrimazole cream in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis signs: a randomized clinical trial.J Caring Sci. 2020;9(3):162-167. doi:10.34172/jcs.2020.024
Woolen SA, Lazar AA, Smith-Bindman R.Association between the frequent use of perineal talcum powder products and ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Gen Intern Med. 2022;37(10):2526-32. doi:10.1007/s11606-022-07414-7
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.Thrush infections in babies.
Bonifaz A, Rojas R, Tirado-Sánchez A, et al.Superficial mycoses associated with diaper dermatitis.Mycopathologia. 2016;181(9-10):671-9. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0020-9
American Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and other candida infections.Arsenault AB, Bliss JM.Neonatal candidiasis: new insights into an old problem at a unique host-pathogen interface.Curr Fungal Infect Rep.2015;9(4):246-252.Fölster‐Holst R.Differential diagnoses of diaper dermatitis.Ped Derm.2018;35(S1):s10-s18.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and other candida infections.
Arsenault AB, Bliss JM.Neonatal candidiasis: new insights into an old problem at a unique host-pathogen interface.Curr Fungal Infect Rep.2015;9(4):246-252.
Fölster‐Holst R.Differential diagnoses of diaper dermatitis.Ped Derm.2018;35(S1):s10-s18.
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