Diseases Talk

Yeast infection in children and infants usually manifest in the vaginal (vaginitis) or rectal area (diaper rash, pruritis ani, or hemorrhoids).

They can usually be treated successfully by changing to a high-fiber diet and using natural remedies, especially lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus. Spir-ulina, chlorella, barley green, and other green foods are easy to take for infants and children and are good immune system boosters. Topically, creams containing calendula, zinc oxide, and aloe vera are often effective.

The usual cause of the yeast infection in children is the high sugar intake found in commercial infant formulas or "unsweetened" fruit juices. Even if juices are freshly squeezed and consumed immediately, the average glass of apple or orange juice has the equivalent of five or more teaspoons of sugar.

Cow's milk, soy milk, rice milk, and even goat's milk can increase the total daily sugar intake to fungal growth-stimulating levels in susceptible individuals. Switch to water until the infection clears, then use these beverages sparingly, if at all for older children For infants, switch to yeast-free, sugar-free formula and rotate types of milk.

In the case of vaginal yeast infection in children, make sure that underpants are loose and allow the passage of oxygen. Fungi are difficult to eradicate from underwear even if they are machine-washed with detergents.

In persistent, recurrent vaginal yeast infections, placing the moistened underwear in a microwave oven and turning the setting to high for five minutes destroys all traces of the yeast infection. Placing underwear on a clothesline in the sun for one hour will also kill Candida. Sitz baths with Epsom salts or magnesium sulfate are soothing for the inflammation, often the cause of severe itching in Candida vaginitis.

Echinacea, goldenseal, calendula, ginger, pau d'arco, and aloe vera can be consumed in liquid form as herbal juices or tinctures. Lactobacillus products can be taken in a powdered form, as can buffered vitamin C.

Children often seem to respond better to homeopathic remedies like cantheris (123 or 6C) and sulfur (303 or 9C) taken three or more times daily.

Recurrent or resistant yeast infection in children should alert one to the possibility of an underlying diabetes or immune system problem. A medical doctor can order appropriate tests that confirm or rule out underlying diseases requiring medical treatment.