Yeast Infection in a 4 Yr Old

Updated on May 18, 2009
C.C. asks from Howell, MI
26 answers

Hi Moms - I'm looking for help. My daughter who is four has a yeast infection. I hvae given her the baking soda bath and let her soak a bit, and blew the area with a cool hairdryer, and put on some lotramin. It seems to work pretty well, but this morning she woke up at 5am just crying about how much it hurt and itches. I used the wash cloth and started again.... but does anyone have any suggestions that might help? It's so hard to explain to a 4yr old that I understand, and she is just so miserable. Maybe there just is something I don't know about to help her with the itching and pain. (I think the pain is because she's 4 and the ithcing can be pretty intense) Thanks to anyone who responds!!

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for the great responses! There are so many great suggestions that I received, I have tried a few and will keep the others on hand if needed again. She is feeling much better, unfortunately she's not a great wiper,(but we're working on it) so it's a recurrent problem. SHe does eat yogurt almost eery day and eats very little sugar, but those were helpful hints too. It's always nice to know there is somewhere I can go where people understand what's happening. Thanks for all the great support!

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L.L.

answers from Detroit on

Take her to the doctor for a firm diagnosis. My daughter's MD suggested: Wear loose underwear whenever possible. Do not live in a swim suit when summer arrives. Sleep with only a loose pair of pyjama bottoms. Bath often, but do not ever use bubble bath. My 9 yo daughter had it and it bled so treat it thoroughly. We were prescribed monistat and the above suggestions. It cleared up in a few days, thank goodness. We were on vacation in Myrtle Beach.

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E.Z.

answers from Detroit on

Hi,
How do you know that it is yeast infection?
But , by the way when my daughter had a perspiration in that area this is what I used to do.

Take a cotton ball, soak it in the distilled wated and add 1 drop of the tree essential oil which you can find in any whole food stores. Wipe there morning and evening depending how severe it is.

Wash her clothes in hot water addining 3 drops of the same oil as well. Baking soda does take itching away for a while but does not help as it dries only, but do not desinfect.

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S.M.

answers from Saginaw on

Hello C., Take her to the doctor. At this age, they wipe from back to front, instead of front to back. Feces can then cause infections which are not yeast related. Good luck.

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

Yeast infections are fed by sugar. Get ALL sugar out of her diet...all the -oses, sucrose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup and give her organic yogurt NOT Dannon etc. You can flavor it with stevia or agave and add alittle pure vanilla. No "white" food bread, pasta...anything high in simple carbs creates sugar in your system. A tepid bath with baking soda will help with the itching. Poor little sweetie! You have ALOT of good responses, good luck!

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F.W.

answers from Detroit on

Lotramin isn't what is usually used for a vaginal yeast infection, so it isn't working. Different anti-fungals, work on different organisms. Go to the drug store and ask the pharmacist for something like Monistat. There also are wipes and things that can help with the itching. Once you get the correct medication for her, she should start to feel better within a day, but use the medication for the full length that the package recommends so it doesn't come back. If it doesn't go away within that time period, you will need to take her to the doctor because it may not be yeast, it may be bacteria. The sooner you get the medication, the sooner she will feel better.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Detroit on

A yeast infection is a sign of an internal imbalance. You can't win by fighting it externally. Candida (yeast) is everywhere and everyone has it in them. It's just a matter of balance. If your gut has a lot of friendly bacteria, the candida (yeast) cannnot grow out of control. If you every had antibiotics, that wipes out the good and bad bacteria... and it allows the candida (yeast) to proliferate. Once the yeast are out of control, the only way to effectively deal with them is through diet.

The best diet to get rid of yeast is the Body Ecology Diet. It works. You can try drugs, pills, supplements, etc, but to get to the core of the issue, you'll need to do the diet. Otherwise, your daughter will recurring yeast infections.

I wonder if your daughter craves bread/pasta/pizza... sometimes that is a tip-off for a yeast overgrowth in the gut.

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J.A.

answers from Detroit on

C.,

One of the first things you need to do is remove all items that contain sugar from her diet. I know that is hard with a little one but sugar filled snacks will only cause the yeast to get worse. Yeast loves sugar. The second thing I would do is get her started on a probiotic. I would also start giving her some yogurt everyday. I wish you grace and luck with this situation. Blessing! J.

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D.S.

answers from Detroit on

Make sure and take her to the doctor!

Dana

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D.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi C.---Is her yeast infection internal or on the skin? If on the skin, you would treat it much like 'jock itch' with topical creams. Be sure she is wiping properly to prevent spreading bacteria from one area to the other. You would then need to make sure the area is kept dry to prevent further trouble.

If it is a vaginal infection, you might want to look at her diet in order to help recover from this and then to prevent it in the future. Sugar is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to vaginal yeast infections. So make sure she is not getting alot in the way of candy or any other simple carbohydrate (cookies, cakes, etc.). Do try to get her to eat more probiotic rich foods. I normally do not recommend yogurt, but you may have luck with that. Goats milk or soy yogurts would be best, as cows milk can be highly allergenic and cause more problems in the end. Please check out www.strongbones.org for info on the dangers of cows milk for humans, particularly children. Having said that, it may be necessary for a short time to help balance the bacteria in her gut. Fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, are good for reestablishing normal bacteria balance as well. My healing foods book also suggests to eat lots of dark green and yellow veggies. Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy mucous membranes that are resistant to infection. Peas, beans and lentils provide magnesium and zinc, also helpful for avoiding these infections. Garlic also helps to stop the growth of candida.

If I can be of any further help, please feel free to contact me. Good luck and be strong. She'll be better soon. In health, D. ###-###-####

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K.C.

answers from Detroit on

My 5 y.o. is having the same problem. My ped said girls can't get vaginal yeast infections until after puberty. She said it is likely a strep infection. She took a culture and I am waiting for the results today. Hope this helps.

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M.P.

answers from Detroit on

If she has a yeast infection that bad, I would recommend taking her to the doctor. Sounds like she needs something to kick in sooner than later.

Preventing it occurring again would be her diet. Does she have a balanced diet of vegetables/fruits, lean meats, water (1/2 of her weight in ounces is ideal). When urinating, does she wipe front to back?

Supplements help as well. A good food based mutli vitamin as well as a probiotic.

Hope this helps.

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A.T.

answers from Detroit on

hello C.

did you see a pediatrician for your daughter ? Did he actually say it was a yeast infection and ruled out a UTI ?
My daughter a a very bad itch in her uretha/vagina/anus area (she was in tears, screaming and nothing helped even baths with baking soda) and it was a urinary tract infection. She had no pain peeing which was the weird part ! With the antibiotics she was better very fast.

Even if it was a yeast infection first, I'd think you should have the urine checked out, the symptoms are quite clear for me...

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M.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

try giving her yogurt daily...i had yeast infection when i was preg with my youngest and dr suggested it instead of the med and it worked and helped keep another away.....and it is good for you. it should work on your little one also..

i hope this helps

M.

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G.K.

answers from Detroit on

I have used Cider Vingar douches, but with a 4 yr. old I would put some Cider Vingar in her bathwater. Probably 1 cup or mix some with warm water and run it down her private area while reclining and sitting on the toilet. The Cider changes your Ph so the yeast can't continue out of control. Also - Reduce the sugar and "white" carb intake in her diet, such as breads, white rice, sugar, pop, koolaid... Complex carbs are ok.
Good luck
G.

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P.R.

answers from Detroit on

You may need a prescription strength topical like nystatin, and oral probiotics to help from the inside out, too.

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J.W.

answers from Lansing on

hi! I would really call her doctor and get her in there! cuz it could cause more problems! for the time being give her a cool wash cloth and let her put it on herself! and maybe a little motrin to help with pain!
I hope that helps! but I would really call her doctor!

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C.M.

answers from Grand Rapids on

C.,

Do you know if it is inside also? Has she been to the doctor for this? Years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter, I thought I had yeast infection. It turned out I was allergic to the Bounce dryer sheets I had started using. It might something you use in the laundry.
I hope this help you. I know how miserable it is to have a child in pain.

Mareellen

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A.M.

answers from Lansing on

Hi C., I feel your daughters pain. How awful for a poor little 4 year old to have to deal with it. I had yeast infections more often than not for the first 8 years of my marriage. The doctors always gave me the same meds. Then I went to a new dr. when we moved out of state and she suggested I use acidophilus (sp). She explained that yeast infections are caused when the body is imbalanced and the yeast takes over. Acidophilus is a bacteria that is used to culture some yogurt and buttermilk. You can get it at GNC. If she can swallow a capsule...great. If not, mix it in her food, make a paste and smear it on her before bedtime. I have also used it as a douch. I haven't had a yeast infection since I started using it. It has been more than 20 years ago. Once you get the yeast under control, you don't have to continue taking it. But if you feel like you might be getting another infection, take it right away. Antibiotics can cause the imbalance that causes yeast infections so when I take antibiotics, I also take Acidophilus. Yeast infections are a miserable thing. Hope this helps.

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J.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I would call the pediatrician. I get them frequently and take a diflucon, symptoms clear within 24 hours, and that is when it is really bad. Not sure if a diflucon can be taken by a 4-year-old but I'm sure the pediatrician will know of something to relieve and cure it quickly. In my opinion it is not worth trying home remedies while your daughter continues to suffer . . .

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

You need to go to your pharmisyst. It will cost 11 dollars to 15 dollars. Your insurance doesn't cover it and its not on shelves pharmacy has to order it if they don't have it in stock. It only takes a day. Its called cami------. I don't know the exact name it starts with a c and its pink like cammil lotion but its thick lick the desitine. It doesn't smell if anything it will leave a pink mark in her underwear which will wash out. If you can get it and put it on her tonight all her stuff will be gone to morrow morning. Its the best diaper ointment I have ever got. The pediatrician had me get it when one of my kids had a bad diaper rash. It was the only thing that worked and it works great for that.

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S.S.

answers from Detroit on

It's outside of the box, but it sounds like you are open to natural solutions. OPC-3, a very powerful antioxident, doesn't allow yeast to cause infections in our bodies. My company has a formula for children as well as adults that is isotonic (95% absorbable in 5-10 minutes). It contains no sugar and she can drink it (2 oz.) and will benefit in overall health as well.

Just a thought. Won't be an instant solution, but could help if this is an ongoing problem.

Hang in there!

S.
____@____.com

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

HI C.
My girly is yeast prone. The Doc said most girls get yeast infections easy. So I removed HFCS and almost all white sugar from her diet. I use brown rice syrup and agave as sweetners, there low GI so she so no bouncing off the wall is a perk too. I use this wonderful spray when she gets yeasty. It's a homeopathic by KingBio called Yest Free I got at Zerbo's health food store. It's amazing stuff, it's an oral med that you can also spray on the effected parts and it stops the itch right away. They also have one for UT infection, if it's not one it's the other. I also give my girl half an asidolphus & probiotics tab once in a while. Cranberry juice has to much sugar so I'm going to pick up crangell gell tabs, concentrated cranberry juice w/out the sugar.
I also use a few drops of teetree oil and GSE oil in the bath. All cotten undies are a good choice too. And add some vinegar to the laundry.
Good luck it's sure no fun! A. H

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T.A.

answers from Grand Rapids on

C.,

Something that helps me when I have a vaginal yeast infection is an antihistamine. It really helps to relieve the itching. Something else I take is an probiotic, specifically one called ThreeLac, if you want more info about it let me know, I usually buy them online.

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D.H.

answers from Detroit on

C. ~
Is it vaginal? Use monistat (or store brand). It's made for that area, I'm not sure that lotrimin is OK there. Yeast infections are an over-growth of normal bacteria...usually is caused by taking antibiotics. You can always call your pediatrician and make sure. If you've ever had one you know how itchy & painful it is.
D.

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K.C.

answers from Detroit on

I don't have any great information for you, however just wondered if you are giving her any acidolophius? Obviously yogurt has some, but I would try your local health food store for a liquid type that has a really high acidolophious count. Poor girl, I'm sure she is miserable.

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N.W.

answers from Detroit on

I would take her to the Dr. My son had a yeast infection once, and they prescribed a special cream. It cleared up in about 12 hours. I would not be using anything on her w/o a Dr. advice.

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