19 Month Old with a Possible Yeast Infection

Updated on October 05, 2008
D.M. asks from San Diego, CA
35 answers

My daughter is on amoxicillin because she has a double ear infection. Well its been almost a week since we started the medicine, and tonight when I got home I noticed that she was reaching in her diaper to scratch and she was also trying to take her diaper off. I gave her some motrin to try and ease her pain. Has anyone dealt with this before? If so, any advice is extremely welcome.

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So What Happened?

Well I took my daughter to the doctor yesterday and she did in fact have an infection. They doctor prescribed some cream and she also gave me a coupon for the probiotic Culturelle. The Culturelle keeps the good bacteria in her system also, which will help fight the infection. All we have to do is break one capsule a day into her drink and let her drink it. Hopefully her rash clears up within a couple days. Thanks for all of your responses!

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H.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try Probiotics. I give them to my kids whenever they are on antibiotics or if my daughter has a yeast infection & it clears up pretty fast. They have lots of different brands, from powdered kids variety (Jarro brand) to yummy tasting chewables. Any health food store should have them, Henry's, Mother's. Good Luck!

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A.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

yes!! use the otc cream for foot fungus, not the cream you would use if you had a yeast inf. my daughter had a few yeast inf when she was younger and that's what we used and it really helped. we'd put it on and then lots of cornstarch powder to try to keep her a bit dryer.
hth
A.
daughter 2 & son 6

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

hey D.. I took my daughter to the pediatrician to see if in fact she did have a yeast infections and she told me to buy the cream (vagisil) and apply it but no more than 7 days and it worked. If you look at the instructions on the box it even states for toddlers or something like that which made feel more at ease for her to use it.
Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

SOMETIMES antibiotics can upset the flora and fauna of anyone's system, child or adult....thus they recommend eating yogurt (with the good bacteria in it or probiotics types of yogurt that can be found on the grocery shelves nowadays) to bring back equilibrium.

It is possible this brought on a yeast infection... but it's best to check her with your Pediatrician... it can be anything from diaper rash to irritation from bathing soaps to heat rash kind of thing, or something she ate etc.

Yeast infections in babies/children often have a distinct red outlined appearance to it... and/or white discharge.... and perhaps itching. If you looked it up online... they will often have actual photos of it and what it looks like. But best not to diagnose yourself... and have her checked. Also, keep her dry...and sometimes, baby wipes can exacerbate it... until it clears up. Unless she is allergic to certain brands.

Just make sure she does not scratch herself and cause a "cut" which can then really hurt. Babies/children have such sharp nails after all. My son once scratched himself on the scrotum... and it caused him so much pain (like a paper cut) that he didn't want to take a bath.

Just giving Motrin for an undiagnosed yeast infection is not going to fix it. Best to take her to the Doctor for a formal diagnosis.

If anything, for bad diaper rashes and/or itching... try some baking soda made into a paste with water... perhaps that might help. And, don't wash that area with any harsh soaps/bubble baths/lotions....

take care,
Susan

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L.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Our doctor said to use Miconazole. Basically the adult yeast infection cream can be used on infants and toddlers. Usually after the first dose we start to see an improvement. Our Doctor said it is not uncommon in infants and toddlers because the diaper creates a moist warm area for everything to grow.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yogurt is a big help, both to eat and you can get the plain variety to use as a 'cream' in the diaper area.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello! My son has to take live cultures every time he takes antibiotics for anything...they are found either in yogurt, a liquid supplement, or capsule. I give him the liquid supplement - it tastes good and is easy to give. Basically, the antibiotics have killed the bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria that we need to regulate the yeasts in our systems. Once you replace them, she should notice an improvement. You can start them while she is still on the antibiotics, but will need to continue them after she has stopped. My son doesnt get the yeast problem, but he gets SEVERE diarrhea on antibiotics. Good luck!

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J.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi D.,

I give my two children Candex, which kills ONLY the bad yeast-the Candida Albicans overgrowth in the body. It's the only one I've found safe for kids to take. It's a good balancer. She will surely need it after these antibiotics as they will cause yeast infections. Just take one capsule and break it open and put the powder in her drinks... only 1 time/day is necessary. Along with the Candex, I give my kids Yum Yum Dophlus by Baby Jarrow, I believe. It's a chewable probiotic. It's great for intestinal health and works along with the Candex to help prevent that horrible build-up of yeast.

For her itching, poor baby, it's okay if you put some Lotrimin cream on her itchy spots around the outside of her vagina- NOT up inside. My childrens' pediatrician also has told me to use CortAid on my daughter when she was itchy down there but had no infection. You only need a little bit though... and she only mentioned that brand. I know if one continues to use Banadryl on a child's skin, it will permanently change the texture. The Cortaid, I was told, doesn't have the ingredient that will do that.

As for the yeast, you might want to think about limiting her exposure to yeast overall, refined sugars, and dairy from the cow. That's a good start...

I hope she feels better soon.

Best wishes,
J.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm so sorry for your daughter, yeast infections are so uncomfortable. My 6 1/2 year old has been dealing with this for years! First off, put baking soda in her bath. About 1/2 cup. Try to let her go without a diaper for as long as possible. Our pediatrician also told us to use an otc yeast infection cream for women, like Monistat, but only on the outside vulva, never insert the cream into her vagina. Motrin for the pain - unlike Tylenol, Motrin is an anti-inflammatory and helps ease the pain more. You might also want to try Cool Wipes or even Preparation H wipes - they cool the area and ease a bit of pain. Plus feed her yogurt and watered down cranberry juice. If none of this works, and the doctor can't help you, try giving her Benadryl. My daughter tried a new allergy medication a few months ago, and after a week, got a terrible yeast infection. I did everything I mentioned above, plus tried to research it online. Then it occurred to me that it could be an allergic reaction (to allergy medicine!). I gave her Benadryl and it cleared up within the hour. Good luck!

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C.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi D.,
To re-establish the good bacteria in her system post-antibiotics, you absolutely need to supplement her for about a month on pro-biotics. There are supplements sold specifically for children at health food stores (whole foods, henry's) in powdered form for easy mix in to liquid or applesauce/yogurt. Try to find one with a high count of bacteria (in the billion's)

Good luck!
C. Tanaka, DC
www.naturallifechiro.com

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L.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

completely possible and totally normal. I'd just take her to the doc and if it is, he'll give prescription diaper cream to clear it right up :)

Here is a link with more info if you want to read more...

http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/stds/yeast_infec...

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi D. ( great name ) check to see if she has a rash on her private area, if so it very well can be a yeast inffection. One of my daycare boys who is 23 months gets yeast inffection type like rashes, and his parents use vagisil and apply it the same way you would a diaper cream, he goes into his diaper too, but he does it after he has poooed and makes a mess, you may want to take her out of diapers and start potty trining her. J. L.

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D.R.

answers from Visalia on

Hi D.

I have two girls who have both had yeast infections that were caused by antibiotics. I got a perscription from the doctor for a cream that would relieve the discomfort. I would also feed them some yogurt. My girls are now 18 and 12 years old. That usually helped. Good luck.

D.

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C.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

You can use over the counter yeast medicine for her. Use it as you would diaper cream. Cut down bread, white flour, and sugar.

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

We went through this, too. I think the doc prescribed Lotrimin. Make an appt. Cortisone cream can help with the itching, too.

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E.P.

answers from Las Vegas on

I had the same thing with my girl. I gave her lots of yogurt with active cultures,probiotics and air her out. I did get a topical from my pediatric, myastacin?? Good luck

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N.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

She probably has a yeast infection. My son had that a number of times - it mostly affected the skin area covered by his diaper. Your daughter's paediatrician can prescribe something to treat that.

N..

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C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Ohh poor baby...

Maybe its a side effect to the amoxicillian. My son had two ear infections at the same time too.... Tylenol or motrin are good for the pain.

Try A&D for the dry skin, itchy portion but I'm not sure about the yeast part. Check with your dr.

Also check out webmd.com for some advice.

Yogurt is also a good source against the yeast problem. My son has a yogurt a day... The go-gurts are perfect for them... although a little more costly than the big tube of yogurt which we sometimes share (he & I).

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J.D.

answers from Reno on

I would call the doctor right away. Yeast infections are no fun!

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P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

This is a common problem when taking antibiotics. My 18 month old daughter as well as myself and my older daughter have struggled with this. On my baby, I use Nystatin cream and/or powder on the rash when it happens, but we've been taking probiotics orally and that seems to be preventing the yeast from overgrowth. But it's funny, the thing that works the best is an herbal tea prepared by a chinese herbalist I know. When applied to the rash at each diaper change, the rash disappears almost immediately. Anyway, I hope you find this helpful.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

yes, she probably has a yeast diaper rash. you can soak her in a bath of water with a cup of apple cider vinegar aded. and spread the bottom with an antifungal cream. Lotrimin or clotrimezole can be gotten at the 99 cent store.
cut out all sugar..and other simple carbs.. (don't feed the yeasties)

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N.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

take her to the doctors this happened to my daughter and they give you a prescription for a cream that you rub on

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S.Z.

answers from Reno on

Some antibiotics will cause a yeast infection. Your doctor should be able to prescribe something. We went through the same thing with my daughter. It clears up pretty fast.

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A.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

you could put a tiny bit of vagisil down there to ease the icthing and burning. It will go away usually within 48 hours of stopping the medicine.

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Y.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

My daughter had this problem. One way to treat is to have her eat yogurt with active cultures and next time add that to her diet when she starts the meds. If she is far into the infection call your doctor's office. They might tell you to give her over the counter meds to comfort it but i would start yogurt now.

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S.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try putting baking soda in her bath and if she drinks juice, try switching to cranberry juice.

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B.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes, my daughter got a bad diaper rash from pooping in the middle of the night and sleeping in it the rest of the night. No cream could get rid of it and then it was all red everywhere. I took her to the dr.'s and they said it turned into a yeast infection. He prescribed some Vusion which did wonders. It took it away in days. Call your pedi. and tell them you need to bring her in right away to look at it and ask for Vusion. I still use it today if she just gets a ting of redness. She has this thing for pooping in the middle of sleeps (once a month), so I just dab that on her and it's gone the next day. I don't even waste my time with the butt paste, etc. anymore!

In the meantime, do use lotrimin, over the counter athletes foot cream. It works and my dr. was happy I used that before her appointment. But, it didn't get rid of the problem, it helped!
Good luck,
B.

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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

my son just had the exact same thing happen... our ped prescribed nystatin/triamcinolone ointment... he also said to give him a probiotic... i've been putting one capsule of acidopholus (sp?) per day in a cup of milk (or you can mix it in applesauce or anything...) to help build back u p the "good" bacteria that the antibiotic has killed. i got it in the vitamin aisle at target. i hope she feels better soon...

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T.C.

answers from San Diego on

yogurt to eat and go to drug store for vaginal itching cream. call doctor and let her know too.
T.

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F.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi. What I do when I start having a yeast issue is stop eating sweets and take probiotics- beneficial bacteria, like the kind you get from yogurt. You can find it in liquid and capsule form for children and adults at most health food stores-in the refrigerated section. Best wishes!

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S.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

tell you pediatrician. its very common when treating with antibiotics. even in grown women.

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K.E.

answers from San Diego on

my son got a yeast infection the the doctor said just to use a antifungal cream. I found it at wal mart where athletes foot stuff was. I found it weird to be there but I asked the pharmacy and they said thats what I needed. Good Luck. Yes and also letting her run around with no diaper. It doesnt last that long couple days..

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C.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi D.,
I have 4 boys and have gone through that a number of times - if you are pretty sure it is yeast, I use Lotrimin (from the drug store, for athlete's foot), and it works pretty well. I also use the Gold Bond baby powder to help keep the area dry.
At first, if you can keep her in cloth or flannel type diapers for a period of time, that helps too. Good luck!

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H.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi D.,
I don't have any advice but I do hope your little girl feels better soon. good luck:)

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M.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

Yes, my daughter gets a yeast infection every time she takes antibiotics. Her doctor perscribed "nystatin" for her. It is a cream you rub on it. I also give her an oatmeal bath & let her run around with no diaper as much as possible.

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