Gabriella, age 6, has a candida infection in the diaper area. What do you suggest to the parent?

Keeping the area as dry as possible is crucial in managing a candida infection in the diaper area. Moist environments can exacerbate fungal infections like candidiasis because the fungi thrive in warm, damp conditions. Maintaining dryness helps to inhibit the growth of the candida organism, allowing the infection to resolve more quickly and preventing further irritation of the skin.

The other options do not align with effective management practices for a candida infection. For example, using rubber or plastic pants can trap moisture and heat, creating an environment that is conducive to further fungal growth. Keeping Gabriella away from other babies is unnecessary in this case, as candidiasis is not highly contagious in that manner. Lastly, while some baby powders can help absorb moisture, those containing talc or other substances may not be suitable for use in infected areas, and cornstarch can actually provide a food source for the yeast, potentially worsening the infection. Therefore, the best approach is to emphasize keeping the affected area dry.