How To Treat A Baby Yeast Infections
What is a yeast infection after all?
A vaginal yeast infection is irritation of the vagina and the area around it called the Vulva. Yeast is a type of fungus. Yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of the fungus Candidaalbicans. Small amounts of yeast are always in the vagina. But when too much yeast grows, you can get an infection. These are very common. About 75 percent of women have one during their lives. And almost half of women have two or more vaginal infections.
Babies taking antibiotics and breastfed babies whose mothers are on antibiotics are more susceptible to yeast infections. That's because antibiotics kill the good bacteria in the body that keep yeast in check. Without these bacteria around, yeast can grow more abundantly.
How do babies get yeast infections?
Many infants acquire Candida infections from their mothers during the process of birth. Yeast exists naturally in the mother's vagina. When the child is delivered through the birth canal, the baby comes in direct contact with the yeast. Many babies who escape this infection at birth soon acquire Candida from close contact with other family members.
Outbreaks of thrush in child-care settings may be the result of an increased use of antibiotics rather than newly acquired Candida infections. In children (and adults) taking antibiotics or steroids (such as cortisone-related asthma medications), the balance of microbes in the mouth can be disturbed. This may cause an overgrowth of Candida, which in turn results in oral thrush
How do you know your baby has a yeast infection?
You may not be able to detect yeast in a subtle nappy rash, but once it's full blown you can usually tell a yeast infection (versus a plain old nappy rash) because the rash will be well defined and beefy red, with slightly raised borders and "satellite" lesions (red lesions a slight distance from the main rash). Your child's skin may also be scaly.
Another big clue: A yeast rash tends to hang around for more than two days and doesn't respond to any traditional diaper rash treatments. It also usually shows up in the skin folds of the bottom. Children who suck their thumbs or other fingers may occasionally develop Candida around their fingernails. This causes redness at the edges of the nails.
How do you cure a yeast infection in babies?
Apply an anti-yeast cream to the area as directed by your baby's doctor.
Check if there is also a yeast infection in the mouth. Look for milky crusts on the tongue or gums that, unlike milk, cannot be scraped off. You may need to boil your baby's bottles and their nipples to get rid of the yeast on them. Hot water dishwashers work fine for this. If there is yeast in baby's mouth, it usually needs to be treated as well, using prescription anti-yeast drops.
by: Martine Bierlein
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