N.T. asks from Saint Augustine, FL on July 19, 2008
Toddler with a Yeast Infection
My otherwise always healthy 2 1/2 year-old daughter is prone to yeast infections and I feel terrible knowing how uncomfortable she must feel. (I've had my share over the years, too, maybe it's hereditary?.) She probably has had about 5 so far, one time one was in her tushie crack. My pediatrician has never been concerned and has always diagnosed them just visually. The last time we were in his office he suggested when she was out of diapers they'd occur less frequently. Well, she's been in underpants exclusively for the past 4 months and today I just noticed she has one, again. I try to be diligent, always change her out of her wet swimsuits and into dry clothes immediately, but I am wondering if there is anything else I can do to prevent them. She eats yogurts daily (the good organic kinds) and has a pretty good diet for a toddler. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Has any one else had this problem with their little girls?
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J.D. answers from Jacksonville on August 22, 2008
Both of my daughters are prone to yeast infections. What I do is once a day I give them cranberry juice to drink. It works wonders and it will clear the yeast infection up.
M.M. answers from Fort Walton Beach on July 21, 2008
Do you have a family history of diabetes? If so, it would help to cut down on starches and/or sugars in you daughter's diet. It would also help to have her to drink lots of water and NOT to wear underpants at night(which is something that ALL females should do). You should also be careful about using products with deodorants, perfumes and fragrances. To prevent spreading the infection, wipe from front to back (which should always be the case anyhow), then reposition the tissue to rewipe. If the infection is active, aloe and antibiotic salves help to heal the raw areas.
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M.E. answers from Orlando on July 20, 2008
My daughter in law had this problem...severely. Finally a female Dr. told her to wash all of her underwear in Free and Clear (no artificial colors or scents) detergent. No problems since she started doing this...it was a miracle!
M.M. answers from Dallas on July 21, 2008
Oh I could only imagine how uncomfortable she may feel. I do know that sometimes damp clothing and using the same towel sometimes contributes to yeast infections. Try using a different towel everyday for her. Sometimes the dampness from and already used towel causes these infections. Do you use Powder on her? Maybe that can handle some of the moisture.
Just a few suggestions.
M.D. answers from Ocala on July 20, 2008
Yogurt is great. Keep up with that. I also found with my Daughter, when she was that age, white cotton underpants and NO bubblebaths. You could also add liquid yogurt along with the solid. This will give her something different and maybe one yogurt a day isn't enough. Good luck. She is 30 now and she did grow out of that stage at about 13.
P.E. answers from Panama City on July 20, 2008
call YOUR OBGYN also Being diabeticcauses more yeast infections because thediabetic sugar feeds the yeast. When ever givn an antibitic my daughter and I always ask for yeast medicine
C.C. answers from Orlando on July 20, 2008
Yeast lives on sugar. You mentioned she eats yogurt daily -- if it is plain then it is fine, but if it is the fruity kind then it has sugar which is keeping the yeast happily growing.
There is also a ton of sugar in all fruits and fruit juices, as well as in nearly any packaged processed food you find in the stores (including the health food stores). As most of the answers have indicated, this is an internal situation and the only cure is to drastically alter her diet: more greens, more raw vegetables, little or no fruits (for a while at least), and absolutely 100% NO sugar of any kind.
Read your pacakge labels carefully (fructose, corn syrup, etc is all sugar). Keep in mind that anything that tastes sweet has sugar in it. Also, artificially sweetened foods are quite unhealthy. It is better to eat more fresh raw vegetables and little or no packaged processed foods: this will help to bring back the ability to maintain a balanced healthy bacteria level, which will keep the yeast level down.
I also offer nutritional supplements that will help.
There are countless studies showing that candida (yeast) is at the root of many (or most, depending upon who you read) so-called "common ailments" that people are plagued with, from bad breath and indigestion to heart problems. Everyone has a certain amount of yeast present in their body; the extent of its effects depends upon the acid-alkaline balance which is what determines the intestinal bacteria balance.
Eliminating sugar completely will help tremendously, even if that is the only change you make. But increasing the raw vegetables and lessening the amount of packaged processed foods will help too ;-)
M.M. answers from Fort Walton Beach on July 21, 2008
Do you have a family history of diabetes? If so, it would help to cut down on starches and/or sugars in you daughter's diet. It would also help to have her to drink lots of water and NOT to wear underpants at night(which is something that ALL females should do). You should also be careful about using products with deodorants, perfumes and fragrances. To prevent spreading the infection, wipe from front to back (which should always be the case anyhow), then reposition the tissue to rewipe. If the infection is active, aloe and antibiotic salves help to heal the raw areas.
A.R. answers from Jacksonville on July 20, 2008
my daughter would get these when she was given bubble baths too often. So know I'll give her one(bubble bath) every other week and she's not gotten one since.
hope this helps and good luck
P.A. answers from Pensacola on July 19, 2008
She could have a resistant strain, or it could be bacterial. Ask your pediatrician to do a culture or look at it under a microscope. She may need antibiotics, if bacterial, or an oral antifungal to get rid of it if it is a tough yeast.
Also, limit her intake of sugar...yeast loves sugary bodies as well as warm wet ones. Yogurt has a lot of sugar in it. Serve her her plain yogurt with fresh fruit or a little bit of All Fruit preseres to sweeten it. She will love mixing her won, too.
For some temporary relief of itching, try Vagisil. It has nothing in it to cure the problem, but I have used it on my daughters from time to time when they are irritated and it helped them.
Make sure she is wiping correctly, not having bubble baths, etc...same for avoiding UTI because those things can keep her skin there sensitive and vulnerable to infections.
All that said, though, a serious talk with the doctor is in order.
Best wishes,
P. (mother of 4, three of them girls)
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