Diaper dermatitis; Candida-associated

Alternative names:

Candida - associated diaper dermatitis; dermatitis - diaper and Candida; monilial diaper rash

Definition:

A skin infection beneath an infants diaper caused by Candida organisms (yeasts).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Diaper rashes caused by infection with Candida species are extremely common in children. Candida is found everywhere in the environment and takes advantage of the warm moist conditions beneath a diaper to cause superficial skin infections.

The infection may begin as an intensely red patch with irregular but sharp boarders. Satellite lesions, smaller red patches just separated from the original patch's boarder, spread and blend in with the larger patch. The rash may spread to include the entire area covered by the diaper including the scrotum and penis in boys and the labia and vagina in girls.