Yeast Infection - Swansboro,NC

Updated on May 29, 2010
R.V. asks from Swansboro, NC
13 answers

My 4 year-old daughter this morning came to me complaining that her "vagina itches and hurts." When I checked, I found her vulva very red and a little inflamed and I detected a slight odor. I am assuming it is a yeast infection as I've had them before myself and her symptoms are the same. That, and she has recently started wiping herself after going potty so she obviously isn't always getting it right.

My question is this: Is it okay to use an OTC yeast treatment cream on a 4 year-old? I would, obviously, only use it topically but I wanted to make sure it's safe for her age before I use it. I have put in a call to her pediatrician's office but they tend to take all day to return a call so I was hoping one of you would know. In the meantime, I just slathered her up with Desitin.

I appreciate any advice/input from you all. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

ETA: In response to Susan L, while I appreciate your concern, I know my daughter HAS NOT been molested. You even suggesting that is very offensive to me and not appreciated! I'm not naive and know that it happens, and could happen to anyone's child but you also are not an expert, OBVIOUSLY. I myself was molested as a child so I know a thing or two about it! In addition, I have 15+ years in the medical field, half of that in gynecology, just not pediatric gynecology, and so I do appreciate the importance of seeking medical advice. Had you read my entire question, you would have seen that I did contact her pediatrician first, just hadn't heard back yet when I originally posted. That, and my child is in my presence 24/7 so I KNOW she has not been mistreated or violated in any way. In the future, please take better care of the "advice" you offer & try a more sensitive approach. While we are all here seeking support and advice from each other, none of us knows every detail behind every question so please try to keep that in mind.

To everyone else, thank you for all your input, advice and suggestions. It really is much appreciated. My daughter is fine, the doctor said it's just slight irritation and she is already doing better.

Featured Answers

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

Build immunities with pre and probiotics. Should help with yeast and ear infections and should be taken any time anyone takes antibiotics, if not on a regular basis. I was having yeast infections but since starting this have not had one......it's been almost 3 years.

Pro and Prebiotics help build immunity and fight allergies. The prebiotic should be started slowly at about 1/8 the recommended dosage, then built up, as not to cause bloating.
http://healinghappens.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sk...

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M.F.

answers from Phoenix on

I would wait until she see's the doctor before you start using medications that were made for adults on something self-diagnosed by sight alone. In the meantime, if it is a yeast infection, have her eat yogurt a lot and start using a probiotic like acidophilus in her foods. You can buy acidophilus capsules filled with powder anywhere, like Walgreens or your grocery store's health food section. Just open the capsule and sprinkle about half of the powder in her food, milk, whatever. It's flavorless, so you don't have to worry about it ruining the taste of her food. If it is a yeast infection, the natural cultures in the yogurt and the probiotics will help to put good bacteria back into her system to balance the bad bacteria that has taken over. If it's not a yeast infection, you won't be doing her any harm with this treatment, as opposed to using Anti-Fungal cream.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

I would never advise using anything like that for a child that age unless recommended by your pediatrician and pharmacist.
Here is what the American Academy of Pediatrics says:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/cond...

Yogurt only works for yeast infections when it is literally applied directly to the vulva. It has to be plain yogurt with active cultures.

Our pediatrician has always dealt with yeast-related infections with lamisil, but that was after proper diagnosis. Treating without knowing the proper diagnosis will create more of a problem in the long term. It could also be a Urinary Tract Infection.

Even a doctor's trained eye sometimes gets diagnoses wrong. Usually, a physician's office can triage the issue and make a recommendation/call in a prescription without having to take the child in for an appointment.

Good luck.

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V.F.

answers from Shreveport on

My 5 year old still is a messy wiper. She sometimes gets feces that way. Our pedi told us to put vaselline to kind of coat or protect it. It does help. I would also use vagisil, just start out with as little as possible. Good luck.

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V.C.

answers from Wheeling on

Wash her gently with a warm washcloth and mild soap and rinse well. Do a search online for 'child itch vulva' or something similar. Sometimes you can call the nurses' station (in Peds, in this case) at a hospital and ask questions (we did this many times when my mom became totally insulin dependent upon removal of her pancreas and her sugar would 'bottom out' or go 'sky high'). If this goes on more than a 3-4 of days, a doctor visit is probably in order.

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

I think it's ok. My daughter had about a year's worth of recurring ear infections and the antibiotics she was prescribed at the time caused pretty much constant yeast infections at the time. My pediatrician advised 1% Clotrimazole cream (over the counter) with every diaper change and it worked great. This was when she was 8 - 18 months old, so I would say it's fine on a 4 year old.
Good luck!

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I.M.

answers from New York on

R.,
I'm not sure about the medicines, I don't know if it's good for her to use them. But I'll tell you this, yogurt is my miracle working medicine!!! Give her yogurt for breakfast, and lunch or dinner. If she likes it then she can have it for all three meals, but if not then just try two meals if possible but the very least ONCE a day. It will do wonders for her.
My children are 12(in July), 10 and 8(9 in September), the youngest is the girl and I tell you that I've had wipes in my house since they've been born! Make sure you remind her (because she is most likely going to tell you "I know mom"!) to wipe from front to back and use a wipe first and then after she is done with the wipe to dry herself with the toilet paper. I often remind my children and I get the "I know" answer, but I see them do it wrong anyway! :)
But remember, try the yogurt at least once a day.
Blessings

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, it's fine. Some Monistat (or generic) cream should do it.
My son has had several - under his arms and in his groin - from wetness in his diaper. That's what the doc told us to grab, and after a few days, it clears up. We also put a barrier, like Desitin, over the top of it. I'm guessing she's wearing panties, now, so you might consider putting her back in Pull Ups or getting a little panty liner for her while you use it, just to keep the mess at bay.

And, of course, you just have to be diligent about putting it on.

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S.L.

answers from Lexington on

a four year old with a yeast infection is someone who should be taken to see a doctor - You are not one and although it is an awful thought, she could have been molested - she should see an MD ASAP

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T.C.

answers from Johnson City on

my 6 year old gets them and i was told lately its from basically not being able to breath at night i was prescribed nastatyn for it and told to let her go to bed in cotton shorts or boxers but not have panties on her body make up makes her (my daughter) prone to them, just a little insite from my end, o and the nistatyn is something she has been prescribed off and on since she was a baby.

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

no i wouldnt use it with out talking to the doctor first

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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

I wonder if it is not a yeast infection but yet just irritated from not wiping correctly. My daughter said hers 'hurt' and it was really red after she started wiping herself at age 4. I knew what it was b/c a friend had told me recently it had happened to her daughter. I put her in the bath tub, dried it good afterward, and then I started wiping her myself again. After about 3-4 months I started to let her do it again but showed her the correct way and watched her do it for a few times. She sometimes gets it but mostly she wipes correctly. I would try a good soaking bath and then you wipe her for awhile and see if it goes away. Then show her how to wipe and make sure she gets it all.

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A.K.

answers from Raleigh on

I would call her pediatrician about that first. What will work wonders is a warm bath with one cup of white vinegar in it.

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