When we hear the term Candida Albicans, we always associate it with vaginal infection and this may be hard to believe- child yeast infection is more common than you think. Yes, even children are susceptible with this condition.
While this has nothing to do with being a bad parent, we tend to blame ourselves for this; thinking that we do not take good care of our children. It is very important for us to learn what causes the infection, how to treat it and how to prevent it from recurring so you would never have to deal with another episode ever again. It won’t be easy but it’s possible.
Child Yeast Infection Causes
A child’s immune system is still in the developing stage which means that the receptiveness to infection is high. Their immune system is still in the process of strengthening and at this point, your child does not have the capability of fighting off different childhood diseases.
The immune system will fully develop when puberty hits, typically around age 14. So until this time, your child would have to struggle with some fungal overgrowths while their system finds the bacteria balance it needs to function properly and efficiently.
If your child has been on antibiotics, this will affect the way they are dealing with the fungus. How so? It is a known fact that antibiotics destroy bad as well as good bacteria. Good bacteria are necessary to maintain the proper balance of the immune and digestive system of an individual. The absence of bacteria allows the yeast fungus (present in all of us) to remain unchecked. This situation attracts child yeast infection to develop.
Some infants get candida infections from their mothers during the process of birth. No, it’s not the mother’s fault because yeast is naturally present in the vagina. And when the baby is delivered through the birth canal, they become in contact with the yeast. If your child is able to escape this infection at birth, they may soon acquire candida from close contacts with other family members.
Children who suck their thumbs or other fingers may also develop child yeast infection around their fingernails. If you notice redness at the edges of the nails, chances are your baby has candida.
Affected Areas
There are different areas of the body which can acquire candida such as the mouth, genital area (diaper rashes) and ear. Digestive system ailments such as bloating, loose still and excessive gas can sometimes be attributed to yeast infection.