Candida albicans is a species of yeast that causes frequent infections in humans. In children and babies, Candida albicans overgrowth commonly occurs in the mouth and diaper areas. The symptoms of oral thrush--the condition resulting from Candida overgrowth in the mouth--include painful creamy white lesions on the tongue, inner cheeks and roof of the mouth that bleed easily. Infants with oral thrush might resist feeding and become irritable. Diaper rash is characterized by a bright red rash in the diaper area. When it affects the genitals of infants, the rash often takes on a scaly appearance.
Oral Thrush
Step 1
Follow your doctor's orders when treating your infant. The pediatrician may prescribe an antifungal medication for your infant, and a mild cream for you to use on the nipples of your baby's bottles or your breasts if you are breastfeeding.
Step 2
Rinse your baby's pacifier, bottle nipples and all objects that come into contact with your breast milk in a solution made of equal parts vinegar and water. Allow the rinsed objects to air-dry before allowing your baby to contact them again. The vinegar and water solution will prevent more fungus from growing.
Step 3
Feed yogurt to older children who are weaned off milk. According to MayoClinic.com, the Acidophilus bacterium in yogurt can help reduce fungal infections--including Candida--though it will not cure them.
Diaper Rash
Step 1
Apply a zinc oxide or petroleum jelly-based cream to your baby's affected skin when it is completely clean and dry. According to MedlinePlus, these products help draw water away from the skin, which prevents further fungal growth.
Step 2
Wash your hands after changing a diaper. Failure to do so can spread the fungus to other areas of the baby's body or your own.
Step 3
Change your baby's diaper immediately after he soils it. Avoid putting a new diaper on your baby until you absolutely have to. The longer your baby remains exposed to the drying effect of open air, the less likely it will be that a diaper rash will form or worsen.
Step 4
Clean the diaper area gently with a soft cloth or cotton ball after removing a soiled diaper. Do not vigorously scrub or rub the area. If need be, moisten sensitive areas with a squirt of water before cleaning them with the cloth or cotton ball.
Step 5
Use highly absorbent diapers; they draw moisture away from the skin and decrease the likelihood of a diaper rash forming or worsening.
Tips and Warnings
- Do not use corn starch, talcum powder or alcohol-based cleaning agents on your baby's diaper area. All three of these can exacerbate the symptoms of diaper rash.
- If oral thrush or diaper rash appears to spreading or worsening after 2 to 3 days of treatment, consult your doctor immediately. Diaper rashes in infants younger than 6 weeks old should always be treated by a doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Vinegar
- Soft cloth
- Cotton balls
