J.B. asks from Cleveland, OH on October 19, 2009
What to Do with a 3 Yr. Old with a Possible Yeast Infecton?
My daughter has had what seems to be diaper rash down there, but she doesn't wear diapers, so I'm suspicious. She's complained of itching for about 4-5 days...we've tried various ointments but it doesn't seem to be getting better. Her entire area is red, inside and out. Normally, I'd take her to the doctor right away, but with the flu scare, I'm a bit anxious to take her in to a germ-filled waiting room for such a minor issue. Has anyone had a similar experience with their toddlers? Any advice? Thanks!
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K.V. answers from Columbus on November 03, 2009
My daughter had this problem too. Her pediatrician told me to use Lotrimin, which is for athlete's foot & jock itch. She told me that regular diaper cream will not work on this type of rash, that it's a type of fungus. I remember how horrible that rash was & I felt so bad for her. It would periodically come back but just go back to the Lotrimin & it really does work.
B.A. answers from Toledo on October 20, 2009
My daughter used to get yeast infections from antibiotics she was taking, even some foods cause it! My doctor told me to use Monistate 3 or any yeast infection cream (JUST THE CREAM ON THE EXTERIOR) where the rash is, it really worked well!
S.C. answers from Indianapolis on October 20, 2009
Good Morning. She may be having a reaction to her soap and/or toilet paper. Is she wearing 100% cotton undies. I grew up with very sensitive skin and I had to have special clothes made out of 100% cotton or I was a walking rash.
Have her take an oatmeal bath (not too hot). I had to do that about 3 times a week and it really helped with the discomfort.
I would keep her out of the dr's as long as you can. My dr allows us to take my daughter into a different door so we don't have to be around so many people. She has asthma so she is real sensitive to germs. Maybe you can call and ask if there is a seperate door that you can use since she doesn't have flu symptoms but she needs to be seen. On a woman/girl there is nothing worse than having anything going on down there.
Good Luck
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J.C. answers from Cleveland on October 20, 2009
Hi, J.! I would think that if you tried the Lotramin ointments and it's not going away, it's probably not a yeast infection. Honestly, a yeast infection was my first thought. On the other hand, is it possible that she isn't wiping well enough after she uses the potty? She may be sore from urine sitting on her skin. Maybe you can encourage her to use a baby wipe to clean herself off, then dry herself with TP. Also, be sure that she isn't wiping towards her front after she has a BM. That can be very irritating to her skin. I would bathe her every night to be sure that she's nice and clean. If it's really sore, maybe even put a little diaper rash cream on her to help take some of the redness away. If it persists, I would definitely give the doctor a call and see if they have any suggestions.
J.B. answers from Terre Haute on October 20, 2009
I agree with the other responses on giving her yogurtalso you might try putting vaseline on here there and sprinkling cornstarch in her panties. Does she take bubble baths or a lot of baths maybe sprinkle baking soda in her bath water, and also watch the bubble baths they are known to cause infections if she only takes baths the soap is probably irritating her also try to get her to drink some water. Hope this helps, J.
M.S. answers from Bloomington on October 20, 2009
feed her yogurt. the probiotics in the acidophilus will fight off the yeast. make sure it's yogurt with active live cultures.
V.B. answers from Columbus on October 20, 2009
My four year old is having same issue right now, after a week of antibiotic (my fault, i was busy and forgot to follow up with probiotics). We called the doc and they recommended lotrimin. I've also started her on Children's Acidophilus.
E.W. answers from Cleveland on October 20, 2009
AT least talk to your doctor over the phone to discuss possible OTC meds or a prescription he can call in for you. Maybe it is a urinary and a yeast infection. You definitely do not want to levave it untreated. Try increasing your child's yogurt and avoid foods that have sugar or breads. Avoid juices and increase water.
S.C. answers from Indianapolis on October 20, 2009
Good Morning. She may be having a reaction to her soap and/or toilet paper. Is she wearing 100% cotton undies. I grew up with very sensitive skin and I had to have special clothes made out of 100% cotton or I was a walking rash.
Have her take an oatmeal bath (not too hot). I had to do that about 3 times a week and it really helped with the discomfort.
I would keep her out of the dr's as long as you can. My dr allows us to take my daughter into a different door so we don't have to be around so many people. She has asthma so she is real sensitive to germs. Maybe you can call and ask if there is a seperate door that you can use since she doesn't have flu symptoms but she needs to be seen. On a woman/girl there is nothing worse than having anything going on down there.
Good Luck
M.M. answers from Mansfield on October 20, 2009
If she has been on antibiotics lately that could cause that. Also, my niece had basically the same thing and yes, she did have to go to the doctor to get medication, we had to boil her underware and for a while we had to wash them completely seperately from any socks and we had to use dreft. Also, when we boiled the underware we used clorox 2 (can't remember if we HAD to use that) and rinsed them extremely well before drying. We totally seperated underware from the rest of the wash and the doctor believe it was from her playing (sitting) in the bath water. Also, when I first noticed it; we used cornstarch on her until we could get her to the doctor - it did seem to help and also, you might try diaper rash ointment. After her baths we let her run around inside with a long shirt on and no underware for a little bit. If you're worried about the flu at the doctors office, you could wear a mask on her and you for that matter.
K.B. answers from Cincinnati on October 19, 2009
I would just give the doctor a call. Maybe there is some advice they can give you. :(
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