How to tell the difference between diaper rash, heat rash, and yeast infection?

Specialties Pediatric

Updated:   Published

Hi all you experts out there. I sincerely don't want to pay more money and try to figure out a babysitter for a stinking heat rash or simple diaper rash so I am hoping you can help me. Bryce (9 months) has had a rash for a couple weeks now. It is just a great big red blob all around his member and on his testicals and in the folds of his legs where they meet the pelvis.

Is there any way to tell exactly what kind of rash this is? Could it be a yeast infection do you think? What would I look for in that case?

We have tried regular diaper rash cream, A & D, Zinc Oxide and now are on Petroleum jelly. We bathe him almost every day, trying oatmeal baths at first. Nothing is working. We have also been letting him "go free" without a diaper for a couple hours each day, though this makes for quite the mess and since we rent and the landlords are obsessive about our new carpeting....well, it doesn't last long.

Any thoughts?

OH I forgot!! Huggies (i think, it may be another company) makes rash care diapers! I haven't ever used them, they are pretty new and we haven't had any diaper rashes since then. Anyways might be worth a try.

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Thank you all sooo much! I am going to go get the OTC Athlete's foot cream and try that today. I just cannot work another dr. appointment into my schedule this week. Any idea how long it usually takes to clear up?

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Specializes in NICU.
CNM2B said:
Thank you all sooo much! I am going to go get the OTC Athlete's foot cream and try that today. I just cannot work another Dr. appointment into my schedule this week. Any idea how long it usually takes to clear up?

Usually about a week if it was indeed yeast. I'd use the cream for 10-14 days, like 3 times a day, to really get rid of it. You could apply with every diaper change, but really 3 times a day will provide enough to help.

If the cream doesn't work, then I'd try the Aquaphor next. As some of us have reported, it seems to heal just about anything!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Aquafor is great...so is a cream called Pink Salve (it is spelled a different way, but that is how it is pronounced). We have even had some of our docs order it for our chronic "baboon" butt babes! You can get it at the drugstore, you may have to ask for it, and not all carry it.

If you have to go the prescription route, ask for the Nystatin Ointment not cream...it will stay put better :)

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I got the OTC cream...whew expensive for a little tiny tube. I have used it on him twice and it already seems to be not quite as red. I'm anxious to see how it is looking by tomorrow. Thank you all again! What causes yeast infections in little boys anyways? Is it the moisture in the diapers? I feel like I change him constantly (at least the diaper bill seems like I do! LOL!)

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Here's what my daughters pedi suggested for a stubborn diaper rash....

a mixture of maalox and corn starch. Mix it well and spread it on like frosting, nice and thick. I truly thought he was bonkers, but the darn stuff worked overnight. :rotfl:

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Specializes in NICU.
CNM2B said:
I got the OTC cream...whew expensive for a little tiny tube. I have used it on him twice and it already seems to be not quite as red. I'm anxious to see how it is looking by tomorrow. Thank you all again! What causes yeast infections in little boys anyways? Is it the moisture in the diapers? I feel like I change him constantly (at least the diaper bill seems like I do! LOL!)

Baby boys and girls both get external yeast rashes because no matter how often you change them, they're still wearing diapers all the time. Even if the daiper is usually dry, they still get sweaty down there and then when you pair that moisture with the warm, dark environment...

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Thanks Gompers. Isn't it funny that I haven't ever seen one before and I have two older than him? It's looking better and better all the time. It's not nearly as red as it was......you guys are great! I felt so bad for the poor little guy, though he didn't seem to care.

I was talking to some 2nd year nursing students last night that agreed with you guys about all the treatments here. We were also talking about how once you are a nurse, you don't go to the dr. for every little thing. I don't do that now and since he wasn't complaining I wasn't too worried about it.

Thanks again, to all of you!!!!

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