Yeast Infection in Children
Yeast Infection In Children
Many adults are not aware that children can suffer from yeast infections in different areas of their body because it is commonly an adult female illness. Babies to teens can have oral, skin, and genital yeast infections that are just as annoying and irritating as adult yeast infections. Diapers are most prone to skin types of yeast infection in children, while babies get “thrush” an oral form of a yeast infection and the genital yeast infection is usually caused by irritation. The yeast is a fungus called Candida Albicans, which already exists in various parts of the body, but when it rapidly grows, it begins to cause irritation and symptoms.
Having a diet high in probiotics, which is good bacteria through healthy foods, can help eliminate and prevent yeast infections. Plain yogurt is an example of one of the best foods to warn off and heal a yeast infection. A yogurt paste can be applied to the infection itself and you can consume yogurt boost your immune system up to a higher level, which helps in preventing yeast infections.
The most common causes of skin yeast infection in children.
Through Vaginal Fluid and Contact with Infected People
A newborn baby can pass through the birth canal and contract a yeast infection from the mother’s fluid where yeast-fungi thrive. They can develop oral thrush in the mouth,throat, and tongue where white curd patches appear.Infants can also contract yeast infection from family members or people that are caring for the baby
Infants also develop yeast infection on their bottom, as diapers are well known places that can be wet and warm often, a perfect environment for yeast to develop and grow. Rash, redness, and irritated itchy skin are usually the result in this area where the Candida Albicans has developed.
Thumb Sucking
Children who suck their thumb can develop a yeast problem around their nails on their thumbs and fingers. Because the fingers are often wet and warm, they are the right environment for an infection. If the child has thrush (oral yeast infection) and is sucking their fingers or thumbs, they are passing the yeast infection onto their hands.
Medicines
The mouth and digestive systems in children contain small amounts of Candida Albicans and certain medications such as some antibiotics that are used for asthma can disrupt the levels and cause an eruption of the fungi, which causes a yeast infection. Oral thrushes or other yeast infections can be the result of medications that are taken by an infant or a child.
Breast Feeding
The mother of a child is like an incubator if during her pregnancy she is ill or must take certain medications the results can be passed down to the infant or baby through breast feeding. Antibiotics, birth control, and other medications may cause yeast infections in the nursing child. Mothers who suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, HIV, or cancer have a much higher chance of having a yeast infection, which they can transfer down to their child. Breast-feeding is a natural and beautiful process but no mother wants to pass on a treatable illness if they do not have to. If a mother, suspects she may have a yeast infection she should seek help immediately and stop breast-feeding until her physician clears her to do so again. Mothers who must take medications should consult their physician before breast-feeding while on the medication to make sure the drug will not affect the child.
Yeast infections can be transmitted in many ways from mother to child that it is not surprising that so many children have yeast infections. What may be surprising is how many children and infants have skin yeast infections that go untreated.
