Yeast Diaper Rash Treatment

Yeast diaper rash (known medically as candidal dermatitis) is an infectious type of diaper rash. Going from a simple diaper rash to a diaper rash with a yeast infection can happen within a few days. The overgrowth of yeast is a fairly common result of a simple diaper rash that has gotten worse due to lack of treatment or the rash not responding well to the applied treatment(s).


Several over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal treatments have been used successfully in treating yeast-infected diaper rash. Treatment involves antifungal creams or ointments; these products should be applied to the diaper area at least two to three times a day until the rash gets better.

You will have to search beyond the baby section to find most antifungals. Clotrimazole (an often recommended antifungal) is usually found in the athlete's foot section, and miconazole is found in the women's vaginal yeast infection section. Nystatin or ketoconazole (both available only with a prescription) may also be recommended.

There is also one commercial prescription-only diaper rash ointment available -- Vusion® ointment, which contains miconazole (an antifungal), zinc oxide (a barrier skin protectant), and white petrolatum (also a barrier skin protectant). This product is specifically approved for treating yeast diaper rash.