Toddler Yeast Infections
Toddler Yeast Infections are Possible
Only grown women get yeast infections. A little child cannot get a yeast infection, thats silly. Sure, a child can get thrush or yeast infection of the mouth, but not anywhere else. Any parent has heard any one of these misconceptions at some point in the development of their toddler. Unfortunately, these are misconceptions. Children, like any other human, are susceptible to the overgrowth of candida and this is not just limited to the mouth area. Toddler yeast infections may occur anywhere there is a warm and wet environment.
Toilet Training and Toddler Yeast Infections:
Candida just love warm and wet areas and where is that more available than in the diaper of your now-starting-to-toilet-train toddler. All of those adorable little folds in your childs body are perfect breeding grounds for candida, especially those covered by her heat-trapping diaper. The appearance is not unlike that found in thrush. It still has that white lumpy look and smells a bit like rising bread. To help prevent toddler yeast infections be sure to keep your toddler clean and dry as possible, particularly during the hot summer months.
While it is true that women and girls are more susceptible to yeast infections, that is only because the genital area of females has more folds for candida to thrive in. Little boys are also susceptible to toddler yeast infections, because they also wear the same heat trapping diapers. Consider: the same environment that is ripe for diaper rash is also perfect for candida overgrowth, so take the same preventative measures for your son that you would your little girl.
Other Causes of Toddler Yeast Infections:
Keeping your child clean and dry as possible prevents natural occurrences of candida overgrowth; however, there are additional causes of toddler yeast infections to be aware of. One of the most common reasons that a child develops such infections is an antibiotic regimen. Antibiotics kill the natural bacterial flora in the body that keep candida in check, so avoid any unnecessary antibiotics to keep your childs body as regular as possible.
Also, if your thrush has recently been a problem for your son or daughter, it is possible for this toddler yeast infection to spread to other areas, like the genital region. This occurs as candida passes through the digestive tract and accumulates at the site of excretion. Finally, an untreated diaper rash can lead to an overgrowth of candida, so do not let it sit hoping it will go away untreated. Always treat the rash so that this irritation is not exacerbated by the burning and itching of a toddler yeast infection.
Any little boy or girl still toilet training can have a toddler yeast infection. Such occurrences are not limited to women or thrush. Therefore, when you are cleaning your toddler and discover the telltale signs, do not hesitate to seek the advice of your childs physician, because he can provide medication to alleviate the problem before it becomes worse.
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