Rash only in cloth? Help.

[mouso]

My DS has gotten a rash twice in the past few weeks. The first one was when I put him in cloth only for a day (we have been alternating between sposies and cloth due to needing to buy more cloth. Due to her BumGenius all needing the elastic replaced, which I still need to do- don't even get me started on that waste of money they call BGs! ).
It is a bright red, rough rash that starts in the crack of his tush, under & around testicles, in thigh creases and the underside of his penis and can go to fill in the entire diaper area.

I figured it was just a fluke. When regular creams didn't work I started using clotrimazole cream & sposies- which cleared it up in a little over 24 hours. Wore sposies for another week until I met with my diaper lady- no rash at all.

I then got some covers and prefolds and we used them for a day, then I washed our new Fuzzi Bunz and he was wearing those for a day too. The rash reappeared and is an angry red, mostly in those areas I mentioned.

I'm not sure if it's yeast, but like I said, it did react to the cream. If it is related to the diapers could it be detergent? Could it be the diapers? It seemed to appear after wearing the (brand new, but washed) FBs. But maybe it got its start while he was wearing the prefolds, who knows.

I am washing using a free & clear detergent made with natural surfactants. My DD never had a single issue with CDs or detergents so I'm not sure what to do.

Any advice/help would be great. It does seem to be a painful rash when it gets bad.
If you think it's detergent could you recommend one that might be better? I really want to use my new CDs but not sure what to do about this.
Thank you!

[treegardner]

It sounds like it's the detergent. What brand are you using? We use Crunchy Clean now, but in the past have used Planet. Never any problems with either one. When is the rash showing up, after pooping? Could also be a reaction to something he's eaten.

[thefreckledmama]

With everything you've described I honestly don't think it's the detergent, I think it's yeast. Especially with it starting where it's skin against skin. Yeast thrive in warm, dark moist environments. Any detergent related rash we've ever had started on the outer most parts (like butt cheeks), where contact with the diaper was the greatest.

When a rash like that seems to get worse with cloth, it's usually because disposables can keep the skin drier than cloth, so there's less moisture for the yeast to thrive. Especially with it responding to the medicated cream, I'd bet money it's yeast.

With yeast, you need to disinfect the diapers, otherwise they'll just keep re-infecting him. Wash with super hot water, and while I know a lot of parents will use bleach, I've used non-chlorine (peroxide) bleach with excellent results, without the harmful effects of chlorine bleach on the fibers of the diapers, not to mention the exposure to me and my family (but I know not everyone is bothered by bleach).

I would leave him in disposables for the duration of the rash, giving yourself 2-3 days past when it looks all clear, still applying cream it to ensure it's totally gone. That way you only have to disinfect the diapers once, rather than with every wash.

We had horrible yeast issues for a few months last year. I now add a few drops of Tea Tree oil to our wipes solution, and that has helped to keep the yeasties away.

Good luck, Mama. Hope you get his little bottom cleared up soon!

[mouso]

nak

treeg: i am using sun environmentally friendly- it was the only accessible natural detergent at the store. coconut derived and all that. i will try another one you've mentioned.

freckled- I was thinking that too. that a contact rash would be on his buttocks. this rash definitely seems to like all the crevices that stay moist.
well, great, now i've infected all his (new!) diapers. sheesh.
i have dealt with yeast as well with my dd, but mostly with her & my thrush - any yeast rashes cleared up quick.
i hate bleach too- i used to use vinegar as well, will try the non-chlorine bleach. and the tea tree.

Would you try gentian violet on his tush? It is a stubborn rash!

thanks for your help, both of you!

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by thefreckledmama

With everything you've described I honestly don't think it's the detergent, I think it's yeast. Especially with it starting where it's skin against skin. Yeast thrive in warm, dark moist environments. Any detergent related rash we've ever had started on the outer most parts (like butt cheeks), where contact with the diaper was the greatest.

When a rash like that seems to get worse with cloth, it's usually because disposables can keep the skin drier than cloth, so there's less moisture for the yeast to thrive. Especially with it responding to the medicated cream, I'd bet money it's yeast.

ITA

Nystatin is what worked on my DS as a newborn on a persistent yeast rash. It's an effective yeast killer when natural methods don't work (didn't work for us).

[thefreckledmama]

The gentian violet wouldn't hurt, especially in disposables-you don't have to worry about staining. But if the cream you've been using has been working, you could probably just stick with that.

I'd also let him get some air to the area at every diaper change when it's practical, that will help healing time too. My SIL uses a blow dryer set on the cool/low setting to dry off my nephew after diaper changes whenever yeast is an problem for them, you might also try that.