Diaper Rash in an Exclusively Breast-Fed Baby
Diaper rash is a normal occurrence for babies, and can be caused by numerous factors, such as skin sensitivity, chafing, and the introduction of certain solid foods. But babies who are exclusively breast-fed can develop rashes from medication and food sensitivities passed along from the mother through the milk, as well.
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Causes
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When a breast-feeding woman is taking antibiotics, the medication can pass through her milk to the baby, causing a yeast rash to develop in the diaper area as a reaction to the medication. A baby can also have sensitivities to certain foods his mother eats, and when passed through the milk to the infant this can cause a rash to develop as a reaction.
Symptoms
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A rash caused by a yeast infection will often appear bright red within the creases around the buttocks and legs, with scattered red bumps. A baby's diaper rash caused by food sensitivity will appear as patches of puffy red skin.
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Prevention
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To prevent yeast infections, avoid feeding the baby from the breast if you are taking antibiotics. Instead, use previously pumped and stored breast milk or infant formula. Pump and discard all breast milk until the round of medicine is complete. If the rash is the cause of food sensitivity, try to isolate and eliminate any foods from your diet that may be triggering the rash and slowly reintroduce them later.
Treatment
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According to the Mayo Clinic, keeping the baby's diaper area clean and dry is the best treatment for diaper rash. However, an ointment or cream prescribed by the baby's pediatrician may be necessary to heal a rash caused by a yeast infection.
Warnings
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If the rash is accompanied by a fever, blisters or boils, pus or discharge, or if the rash extends beyond the diaper area, contact your health-care professional to have the child examined, as these are not normal symptoms of a diaper rash.
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