Believe it or not, but even babies can be affected by candida overgrowth and can experience yeast infections. The most common yeast infections suffered by babies is diaper dermatitis (better known as diaper rash) and oral (mouth) thrush. In many cases, a baby can experience both of these candida infections at the same time.



How do you know if your child has a yeast infection caused by candida? The following are symptoms of a baby yeast infection you should watch for:

Diaper Dermatitis symptoms - Deep red rash that looks shiny and has satellite lesions. The rash typically appears in the creases or folds of the thighs located in the diaper area and spreads.

Oral Thrush symptoms - Gray-white coating that is present on the tongue, gums and inside cheeks. This coating will not be easy to wipe off. In rare cases, oral thrush may be severe and the baby may find sucking painful.

What causes these baby yeast infections? Yeast infections caused by candida start with a build up of fungus in the intestines. Yeast infections develop in warm, moist environments where bacteria can thrive. For a baby, the best environment for growing bacteria is the diaper and the mouth. This overgrowth of fungus, along with other factors, may lead to diaper rash or oral thrush.

Causes of diaper dermatitis - Diaper rash is primarily caused by a wet or soiled diaper. Skin can be irritated by urine or stool. Irritation can also occur from diarrhea which can be highly acidic and burn the skin. The rash can also result from tightly fitted, air-tight plastic pants which prevent moisture from evaporating.

Causes of oral thrush - Oral thrush typically occurs in babies who are still in diapers. It can result from taking antibiotics to treat another infection, and can occur if the baby has excessive candida albicans in their system; they have damaged skin; or if there is a yeast infection present on the mother's nipples.

Diagnosis and treatment - If you suspect a baby yeast infection, take your child to his/her pediatrician so the infection can be properly diagnosed. Once diagnosed, treatment will be prescribed based on what the doctor deems best for your child. Factors that determine treatment may include the age of your child, the severity of the infection, and if there are any pre-existing medical conditions.

Treatment for diaper dermatitis

- Removing diaper for a few days

- Medicated or anti-inflammatory creams

- Moisture-resistant diaper creams

Treatment for oral thrush

- Antifungal antibiotic that can be applied to skin or taken orally

- Topical cream for the mother's breast if her nipple is the cause of infection

Take preventative action - You can keep your baby yeast infection free by ensuring the following -

- Change diapers regularly

- Keep the diaper area clean and dry

- Keep diapers off whenever possible

- Do not wash your baby's skin with soap or other harsh cleaning products

- Properly sanitize soothers and bottle tops by boiling them for approximately 10 minutes to avoid recurrence of oral thrush.