Diaper fungus in the baby: signs and treatment
Every baby has a sore butt, and in most cases the redness is temporary and largely harmless. However, if the inflammation increases and the skin becomes infected with fungi or bacteria, a doctor’s visit is usually necessary. Find out here how diaper fungus develops and how you can prevent the painful inflammation.
What is diaper fungus?
Diaper fungus, also known as thrush or diaper thrush, is a severe inflammation of the skin in the diaper area. Unlike simple soreness, the skin is not only very red , but also cracked, possibly swollen and covered with scaly, red pustules, which usually form a white head and often start to bleed when touched . The mucous membranes in the mouth can also indicate a fungal infection. If you notice white deposits there that cannot be easily wiped off, this is also an indicator of a fungal infestation. If you are unsure whether you are dealing with diaper fungus, it is better to consult a doctor to be on the safe side, so that your baby can be treated quickly if necessary. Diaper fungus causes severe itching and is therefore very uncomfortable for your baby.
How is diaper fungus formed?
The development of diaper fungus can have different causes. Usually, however, a sore bottom is the starting point for the development of diaper fungus. This can be caused, for example, by poor hygiene in the diaper area. Wearing wet diapers for too long puts a lot of strain on baby’s delicate skin, as the uric acid in the urine changes the pH value of the skin and thus impairs the skin’s natural protective acid mantle. However, intolerance to the diaper itself or too much acid in the food can also result in redness and inflammation, which, if left untreated, can lead to small tears and bloody wounds on the baby’s buttocks, the onset of diaper rash .
By disrupting the natural skin barrier, bacteria and fungi can now penetrate the skin more easily. In the moist, warm diaper area, they find the ideal breeding ground to grow and spread further, for example in the genital or loin area. Babies’ legs and stomach can also be affected by diaper fungus if left untreated.
In very young children who are affected by diaper fungus shortly after birth, the infection is usually due to contamination from the mother. During pregnancy, the acidic environment in the vagina changes and fungal infections can occur more easily. At birth, a thrush infection can then be passed to the baby through the birth canal. You should therefore have any infection clarified before the birth and, if necessary, treated to avoid infecting your baby.
What to do with diaper fungus?
In any case, diaper fungus should be treated quickly, otherwise it can spread further and further. If you suspect your child has diaper fungus, you should take them to a doctor immediately so that they can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a suitable treatment for you. In most cases, this will be a zinc-containing ointment that dries out the characteristic pimples and thus deprives the fungus of its breeding ground.
It is also important that you keep your baby’s bottom as dry as possible. This means changing your little one’s diaper more often than usual to keep most of the acid found in urine and stool away from irritated skin. After washing, you should dry your bottom and especially the skin folds well to avoid further sores. Also try to let your baby kick around without a diaper as often as possible so that plenty of fresh air can get to the sore skin.
These simple measures not only accelerate wound healing, you can also get a wound and effectively prevent diaper fungus from developing.