Role of Candida albicans infection in napkin rashes.

Skin scrapings, mouth swabs, and faecal specimens from children with eruptions in the napkin area and from a series of normal infants were examined for the presence of Candida albicans.This was found in 41% of all napkin eruptions but in only one of the 68 normal infants. While C. albicans is a common secondary invader of all types of napkin eruption, primary Candida infection of the skin in the napkin area is probably uncommon.No evidence was found that generalized psoriasiform or eczematous eruptions occurring in association with napkin rashes are due to an allergic response to the fungus. C. albicans is more likely to be present in a napkin rash if the organism has been found in the alimentary tract.