Can Children Get Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are trouble to many women. But can children get yeast infections? Well, sadly, the answer is yes children can get yeast infections. Learn more about it by reading the article below and find remedies for yeast infections naturally.
Yeast Infection in Children
Yeast infection or candidiasis is believed to be a disease that affects adults, especially women. However, did you know it is also very common in children? To know more about the causes, symptoms and treatment for yeast infection in children, read on… When children are born, their immune system is at a very weak stage.
When the child grows up, even the immune system starts strengthening, but it is only when they become adults that their immune system becomes fully strong. This is the reason why children as well as teenagers get infected by various diseases very easily.
One such disease that is commonly seen in children is yeast infection. They appear in the form of red swollen tissues which are covered by cream or white coloured patches, and can be seen in the mouth as well as in the genital and anal areas.
Causes of Yeast Infection in Children
When a child becomes ill, it is obvious that the parents rush him to the hospital where the doctor gives antibiotics to treat the disease. This is one of the major causes of yeast infection in children.
The intake of antibiotics may cure the child from an illness, but in turn destroys all the bacteria present in the body which is needed for the child to stay healthy. Due to the absence of bacteria in the body, the yeast fungus is able to thrive without getting noticed, leading for the occurrence of yeast infection.
Another cause of yeast infection, also known as candidiasis in children, is the high intake of sugar. Consumption of sugar in high quantities can lead to growth of fungus in the body and subsequently to yeast infection.
Though commercial baby foods claim to be unsweetened, they contain high levels of sugar. Other than that, canned fruit juices and even those made at home contain 5 – 6 teaspoons of sugar. It is also said that consumption of cow’s milk, rice milk, soy milk or goat’s milk can lead to yeast infection in children as they contain high amounts of sugar.
If the mother has yeast infection while giving birth to the child, she can pass over the infection to the baby. Also, breastfeeding can give rise to this condition in children. Little children often suffer from diaper rash, and when this is left untreated, it can also lead to yeast infection in them.
Symptoms of Yeast Infection in Children
1. Digestive disorders – The overgrowth of Candida albicans colonies may result in bloating or an excessive accumulation of stomach gas. Constipation and diarrhoea are other digestive problems associated with this infection.
2. Earache – Usually, when the little ones experience this symptom, most of the paediatricians are inclined to prescribe antibiotics, suspecting an infection localized inside the ear. However, this approach worsens the condition instead of contributing to its elimination. That is why, detailed medical investigations are always recommended in these cases.
3. Secretions – A form of yeast infection in children that affects the genital area can present the same symptoms as those experienced by adults. The little girls can present a consistent and odourless vaginal discharge, while the little boys can secret a white, solid substance on the head of their penis.
4. Mouth thrush – This symptom consists in the apparition of a thick, white, paste-like layer covering the tongue, the mouth roof and the inner cheeks of the little ones. In more severe cases, the thrush can extend to the throat and the esophagus.
5. Skin rash – The irritation can take various forms, but, usually, the affected patches are shinier than the rest of the skin, with darker-coloured borders. Blisters and pus-containing bumps can also appear in more severe cases. Also, there are cases when the patches become excessively dry, having a scaly appearance.
Treatment for Yeast Infection in Children
If your child is suffering from these symptoms, it is necessary to take him to the doctor for yeast infection treatment. The paediatric would recommend the application of anti-fungal cream on the area where the infection has occurred. Apart from this, it would also be beneficial to treat the child with probiotics. You can either feed the child with yogurt or give him probiotic supplements.
If you are child has yeast infection in the rectal area, care should be taken and the diaper should be changed within short periods of time. Feeding the child with green foods like bifidus, barley green, spirulina, etc., along with a diet containing fibrous foods are also effective ways of treating yeast infection in children.
These are some of the treatment measures for yeast infection; however, it is important to consult the physician before choosing any of the treatment measures.
As you now have the knowledge about yeast infection in children, you must have understood the importance of preventing the occurrence of this disease. Ensure that your child follows a healthy diet and is getting all the essential nutrients required to become strong.
In the case of infants, it is necessary that their major source of nutrition remains mother’s milk, and other commercial products should be avoided as much as possible.
Yeast infection in children is a curable disease; however, it causes pain and irritation among them. So, it is important to take the necessary precautions to keep your child safe from this discomforting disease.
5 Tips For Treating Yeast Infections in Children
Treating yeast infections in children is generally much the same as treating an adult, but there are certain extra steps you may want to take to help your child to understand the causes of the infection and how to avoid repeated infections.
Children may have an infection due to poor hygiene, poor diet, and low levels of immunity or from using soaps and bathing products that have created an environment in which the infecting organism thrives.
Depending upon the age of your child, you may also want to use more natural treatments to help improve and prevent the situation. Adult medications may not always be suitable for the child, so if you are in any doubt make sure you consult a doctor or pharmacist before using a treatment.
About treating yeast infections in children
Infection in children is most often a result of toileting, bathing, and choice of clothing, low immunity or the use of antibiotics. If your child has developed an infection then it is important to understand that treating yeast infections in children should include some form of education about the condition.
Your child first and foremost will need to be guided to understand any behaviours that may have caused the problem and how they can do certain things differently to avoid the problem recurring.
The following are some important tips for treating yeast infections in children:
Tip # 1 – Bathing
When your child is bathing, it is essential that they are using mild soaps in order to prevent the likelihood of recurring yeast infections. Their infection can be a result of scented or strong soaps or bath products, which could create ongoing problems.
The other major thing to consider when your child is infected is whether they are drying fully following their bath. Trapped moisture can lead to an infection as the warm moist environment that it creates can offer the perfect environment for a Candida infection to develop.
Tip # 2 – Choice of clothing
If your child loves to come up with unusual choices of clothing, then it is important to assess whether these random clothing combinations are contributing to a yeast infection.
Tight clothing and clothing that doesn’t breath, such as lycra, can be another contributing factor to the likelihood of a yeast infection. If you are treating yeast infections in children, then make sure you also get your child to wear cotton underpants or jocks and comfortable, breathable clothing.
Tip # 3 – Toileting
Wiping from back to front is another possible cause of yeast (Candida) infections. If the Candida organism that causes the infection is present in the intestinal tract, then this action can spread the organism and be one of the reasons that the child has an infection.
Talk to your child about this or make sure your younger child is wiping themselves appropriately after using the toilet and you will be able to help limit the infection and prevent it from reoccurring.
Tip # 4 – Natural treatments
Natural treatments and natural anti-fungal such as tea tree oil may be a good option for treating yeast infections in children. It may not be advisable for children and in particular young children to take anti-fungal medications or use ointments that are tailored toward adult users. If your child has an infection, then natural alternatives offer a less harsh solution to the condition.
Tip # 5 – Diet changes following the use of antibiotics
Antibiotics which reduce the number of natural ‘good’ bacteria in the intestine can allow the Candida albicans organism that causes yeast infection to grow more rapidly than it otherwise would. In order to address the imbalance when treating yeast infections in children, one option is to include yogurt in your child’s diet. A doctor may also recommend they take some form of probiotic to boost their natural ‘good’ bacteria and in turn increase resilience against infection.
Taking a holistic approach toward treating yeast infections in children is the best way to manage the underlying causes and ensure that this problem doesn’t become a recurring one. No parent would wish to have to help their children through this repeatedly. With a little understanding and by guiding your child to avoid the problem in future, you’ll soon be on track to having a healthy child once again.
Things To Know When Treatment Yeast Infection Children
Yeast infection can affect infants and children. This yeast infection is manifested in the rectal area as well as in the vaginal area. The yeast infection children are usually treated with high rate of success when the diet of the affected child is changed into a high fibre diet. There are also documented cases of success in treating and eradicating yeast infections children using the natural treatment medications.
Natural treatment options usually include lactobacillus bifidus and acidophilus, chlorella, spirulina and barley green. These natural remedies are easily accepted by children and are good at strengthening the natural defense of the body. For topical remedies, zinc oxide, aloe vera and calendula are known to deliver good results when used in treating yeast infection.
Major Causes of Yeast Infection Child
The emergence of yeast infection in children is generally attributed to the high sugar content of their diet. This is especially so for infants who are fed with infant formulas and fruit juices.
Further, children are prone to having yeast infection primarily because their natural defence is not yet fully developed. In other words, the immune system of children and infants is not yet capable of fighting off the challenges of opportunistic and pathogenic organisms such as the candida fungus. This parasitic organism is the main cause of vaginal yeast infection children.
Another underlying cause of yeast infection in our children is the heightened use of antibacterial medication. Antibacterial drugs affect both the beneficial and pathogenic organisms. The use of antibiotics can alter the normal state of the natural flora.
This will result to the growth and spread of harmful organisms like candida fungus. Under the altered state, the overgrowth of these harmful organisms can result to the overrunning of the good bacteria. This is the main reason why our children develop yeast infection.
Areas Commonly Affected by Yeast Infection
There are various parts of the body that are susceptible to yeast infection. Those that are usually infected by candida fungus include the genital area, mouth, skin and the ears. Further, the systemic yeast infection will also affect the digestive system and this will result to various forms of digestive complications and problems.
Prevention of Candidal Infection
One must focus on the preventive aspect in managing and controlling the fungal infection in our children. It is important that we adopt the appropriate and effective measures in preventing the emergence or recurrence of candidal infections in infants and children.
This is very important and you must exert extra effort in order to achieve your goals as infants and children are still in the process of developing their natural defences.
One of the better treatment options that are proven effective and appropriate in managing and eradicating the fungal infection in children is the natural treatment option. Specifically, this refers to the adoption of a healthy diet that is low in sugar content and high in fibre content.
The appropriate diet for our children must be enriched with natural food components and it must have the required amounts of essential vitamins and minerals in order to ensure the full development of our children.
Children Home Remedies for Yeast Infections
A fungus named “candida albicans” has also been known to cause issues with children. The fungi will occur in the moist areas like vagina, around the scrotum, mouth, and underarms. It is a common issue for children if they are sick and/or taking antibiotics.
Generally, antibiotics should not be given excessively to the children during illness, as it kills the good bacteria. Children who used to wear diapers may also get this type of infection. As the child’s immunization power is low, proper care and yeast infection home remedies are needed from their parents to prevent them from this infection.
If children develop this type of infection, it is advisable to follow some home tips to cure and to prevent it, rather than going to the hospital. Some home remedies that the children should follow for a yeast infection are as follows:
- One should eat more pro-biotic food like yoghurt & garlic and should drink more water.
- Don’t eat peanuts, yeast rich products like breads, cakes etc.
- Should intake anti-oxidant rich foods like leafy vegetables, onion, and papaya and all coloured fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid sugar based products, pickles, chocolates and fruit juices.* Also avoid over fried foods with corn and potatoes, honey and cheese.
- Eat whole grain foods, beans, spinach, nuts and eggs.
To avoid yeast infections and to remedy the issue, the children should wear loose cotton undergarments and avoid wearing tight jeans and wet clothes for a long time. Also it is very essential to change the diapers of the children frequently and use a mild soap for them to clean the bottom area.
Pure coconut oil can be used daily to treat the infected area, as it has anti fungal properties. Also a piece of garlic or few drops of garlic juice can be placed on the yeast infected area to cure it. Mix few drops of vinegar in the bathing water and ask them to take bath.
For adults, the yeast infection may occur due to stress problems, diabetes, hormonal changes during menopause and pregnancy, smoking habit, Cancer and AIDS.
Some home remedies for them are:
- Mix Baking soda in water and drink.
- Consume more yoghurt and garlic.
- Mix vinegar in water. Take a cotton piece or tampon and dip into it. Place this in the vagina for few hours.
- Eat a well balanced diet daily.
Yeast, unfortunately, is a very common issue amongst people. There are a variety of reasons you’re having a yeast outbreak in your body. Sometimes all you have to do is diet a little better, sometimes you will have to see a doctor and grab a prescription, or sometimes.
It can just be something in your life causing you stress and your bodies chemical imbalance to become a little off. No matter the reason, it’s always a good idea, especially in children, to try to get your hands on a home remedy that can clear the infection.