Yeast Infections in Infants
New parents have enough to worry about when their infant is healthy and happy. When they suspect their child is having a health problem their world falls apart. One health problem that can affect a newborn is thrush.
The good news is that thrush is, for the most part, a minor illness that is easily treated. It is an oral yeast infection. Diapers can also cause an infant to develop a yeast infection.
Thrush is something that a child might develop naturally, the fungus that causes thrush is a fungus that is already in the body but the mouth is a warm, dark, moist area where the fungus thrives and reproduces. Sometimes, if the mother had a vaginal yeast infection when she went into labor, the child might have contracted the condition when they passed through the birth canal.
Parents who routinely examine their child's mouth will quickly see the signs of thrush. They will notice that their child has developed some oral lesions or that their is a white mucus covering the mouths surface, when this phlegm is wiped away the tissue underneath might look red, irritated, and sore. If the parent notices symptoms of thrush developing in their child's mouth they should call their pediatrician and arrange an appointment as quickly as possible. Although yeast infections are usually easily treated, because of the infants underdeveloped immune system, the yeast infection can turn into a more serious condition called Candidiasis.
When the pediatrician is examining your child's yeast infection they'll often ask about the mother's health. If they suspect that the child developed a yeast infection from the mother they'll recommend treatments for both child and mother. Some physician's will recommend a prescription treatment while others will recommend an over the counter treatment.
One of the most important things to do when an infant develops a yeast infection is to take precautions to make sure the infection doesn't spread. Disinfect and sterilize the child's pacifiers. If you bottle feed the child, throw away all the old nipples and replace them with new ones. If the baby is breast fed the mother needs to use a topical ointment on her nipples. All family members should wash their hands several times a day with an anti-bacterial soap. Stop using cloth towels to dry your hands, use paper towels that can be thrown away instead. Continue these precautions for at least two weeks.
Parents should know that a yeast infection can sometimes look like a diaper rash. If you have been using a cream to treat diaper rash and haven't noticed any change with forty-eight hours, you could be dealing with a yeast infection. Set up an appointment with your child's pediatrician. Giving your babies bottom a chance to air dry before replacing their diaper will help lower the chances of them developing a yeast infection. Another step parents can take to prevent a yeast infection from starting is to replace the diaper as soon as it is soiled.
Babies who are breast fed and babies that are already on antibiotics seem to be particularly susceptible to yeast infections.
