8 yr old girl with poss yeast infection

Karon - posted on 08/25/2012

This all well and good, as far as confirming that it could be a yeast infection, but no one is offering any real-time help! I found this thread because my daughter is miserable and I suspect a yeast infection by what I'm seeing in examining her, but what I want to know is if the monostat I have will help my under-12 daughter! Sorry for the tone, but it's frustrating to read people complaining about the term "kiki" instead of offering actual help & advice.

Bethany - posted on 10/29/2011

Baths can be an issue. My daughter had yeast infections at a young age...the baths were the culprit!

Melana - posted on 10/28/2011

sorry my tablet messed up my punctuation I am an educated person.

Melana - posted on 10/28/2011

I am shocked at how many people are ready to attack this poor woman about what she has chosen to teach her daughter to call her genitalia. First of all she is asking fir advice not your criticisms on her parenting choices. Second as far as females go they have many different parts, if you teach you child to call the entire area their vagina then you are teaching them the improper names. Very seldom is a child talking about their vagina, which is inside their bodies, they are usually talking about their labia majora ,labia minira , or with a UTI they could be talking about their urethra orifice. So it is just fine to pick one name for the entire area"
. You may teach them all the other names when you have "that other" conversation.

Merilee - posted on 10/28/2011

Are her pajamas, shorts, jeans or underwear too tight? My 7 year old step daughter had a problem with her crotch being sore and painful -- the culprit a too small pair of leggings -- they ended up "pinching" her. It took about a few days for the pain to go away (And, having had a similar experience myself, I believe it was just as simple as clothes being too tight.)

Melissa - posted on 10/28/2011

Does she take bubble baths? I was told by my ped that bubble baths can cause yeast infections in little girls. I would talk to your Ped about it and see what he/she says. Good luck.

Deb - posted on 10/25/2011

I have to agree calling your "private parts" by a funny name is ok, my grandaughter was taught the "proper" name for her body parts and will call out"My vagina hurts or itches or what ever in public!" It is embarassing, maybe true but embarassing.

Deb - posted on 10/25/2011

Body wash and bubble bath can be very hard on little "private parts" try something gentler maybe a babywash or a femiine wash for that part of her bath and see if it clears up. Encourage yogurt and other bacterial freindly foods that can even out her yeast leavels, High amounts of sugar, white bread, etc that cause yeast to build in her body should be cut back or cut out to see if that helps too.

Janine - posted on 10/17/2011

Forget what JuLeah Wilson wrote... I call my young daughters privates a "mimey" nothing wrong with a cuter name than "vagina" or "vulva"... anyhow... Maybe she isnt cleaning it properly and although at 8 when they are getting to an awkward age within themselves and a little self aware, they still need a little guidance in some respects to makes sure they are cleaning themselves properly. If you are in australia (even so hopefully if you are overseas) I implore you to look up a product called Lucas' PawPaw Ointment - We call it "ouchy cream"... it works wonders and whether you have children with major or minor rashes, abrasions, your hubby sweat rashes lol... it literally works overnight... It soothes and corrects any problems and is safe for all issues. I dont advocate much but this product really does work!! Again i would implore you to show her again correctly how to clean her privates everyday. Make sure she is of course only wearing cotton briefs and maybe if it is sore... she could go without underwear and just boxers lets say to "air" her out overnight. I truly hope this helps and best of luck sweet x

Bridgette - posted on 10/14/2011

Also, just realized that when my daughter started to shower more than take baths we had less issues...

Bridgette - posted on 10/14/2011

My daugher was very prone to yeast infections when she wast little... we determined it was bubble bath and.or the body washes... no more bubble baths and hypo-allergenic soap-free/fragrance free products etc and we never had an issue again... we used a bit of monostat cream topically with a bit of hydrocortizone for itching when it happened. My Ped said it was pretty common so at least call your doctor, it's possible to diagnose over the phone but if not, better safe than sorry if you have to go in. Most Peds understand the fears of children and I am sure your ped will be sensitive.

Amanda - posted on 10/14/2011

Oh, that poor baby! Start treating now. My daughter's pedi. Told us when she was 6 months old with a yeast infection to put monistat on the outside, not inside the body. It will clear it up in just a matter of days. Along with Tylenol and ibuprofen, I keep monistat on hand.

Lindsey - posted on 10/14/2011

In response to the statements regarding gender of doctors: as females we automatically think that having the same gender doc once we're maturing is absolutely necessary. However, ask the men in your life if they prefer a male or female doc for exams of the genitalia and such. Most men, if comfortable enough to admit to their significant other, will prefer a female doc for that over a male doc. Males seeing males weirds many males out. On a second note: I am 26 years old and all my docs are male- including my ob/gyn. I've had female docs in the past, especially as a teen, but now I prefer males- in my experience, they don't baby you. =)

Angela - posted on 10/14/2011

At her age it is rare but you can!t pass anything in the yeast infection.You have to get her examined by her pedi as soon as possible to get a clear answer to this. In the mean time get her in pure cotton panties and check for allergies from body wash,water ph,and food or any previous medication and food. good luck.

Theresa - posted on 10/14/2011

I agree with you, Sherri. It all depends on how the child feels about his/her doctor. My son is 10 and my pediatricians' office has two doctors. One is male the other is female. My son prefers to see the female doctor as do my four daughters. They all just feel more comfortable with her. But if she wasn't available, they see the male doctor - no big deal.

Sherri - posted on 10/13/2011

@Marie My kids pediatrician is a female and it is the same one they have seen since they were little. They actually prefer her and are comfortable with her. They are 14, 13 & 5. My kids would prefer a female touching their penis then a male touching it.

You most certainly can take a boy to a female pediatrician or doctor.

Marie - posted on 10/13/2011

Why would you embarrass your sons like that? I would not do that to mine. I am sure your sons do not want a female doctor touching their penis much less looking at it. I take them to a male doctor.

Marie - posted on 10/13/2011

You do not take a 14 year old boy to a female doctor. I would not want a female doctor to see me naked if was 14 year old boy. That is cruel.

Marie - posted on 10/13/2011

I disagree a 8 year old should use correct words and I would not take my 14 to see a female doctor that is just wrong.

Jami - posted on 10/13/2011

I know my own daughters have had yeast infections before. They had alot of itching and burning feeling. I found out it was caused by the bath water having soap in it. If little girls don't get the soap off or sit in soapy bathtub water they can get them. I would call her doctor.

Marie - posted on 10/12/2011

Does she drink coke and stuff like that with caffeine? I think that will cause her to pee more and if she is not wiping well that may be the smell she is smelling. or she could just want more attention from you, more mommie 1 on 1 time.

Carol - posted on 10/12/2011

maybe the body wash i get my daughter the johnson and johnson wash and thas all i use for her.

Zana - posted on 10/12/2011

I would call her Ped. and tell him/her what is going on. She sound be seen.Is she scratching at her "Kiki" ? Only she knows what is different out her "kiki". Just like you Mama, Only you knows if something is not right with your "Kiki", she knows that something is wrong.

Gayle - posted on 10/11/2011

Can I suggest that it may not be a yeast infection but COULD be psoriasis. My almost 4 year old daughter has had problems with extreme vaginal soreness and itching over the past 2 years, particularly at night when she would sometimes wake crying and scratching at herself. The vagina also had an unpleasant odour which even she complained about at the age of 2! My doctors constantly gave me canesten to apply but it kept coming back. The first dermatologist I took her to for a year also suggested yeast infections and told me to only shower her and use only Aveeno to wash her (which is soap free). This gave her some relief but it still kept coming back. Eventually he referred her to a Pediatric Dermatologist who IMMEDIATELY diagnosed psoriasis, told me that she should ALWAYS have baths not showers in water and QV oil, continue only using the Aveeno, and put her on a course of Advantan Fatty Ointment applied daily which, over a number of weeks was to be replaced one day a week with Hydrocortisone 1% which gradually increased to 2 days a week, then 3, etc. This continued for about 6 weeks even though the soreness and itchiness abated within a few days as she said that the main problem was people not continuing long enough with the treatment. Additionally, she told me to apply 2% LPC in Aqueous cream to her vagina and all the way around to her anus after her daily bath. This has been a huge success and I continue with the LPC daily and the QV oil in all baths. The very rare occurence of any soreness/redness is treated for 5-6 days of advantan. She says that psoriasis is very much more common than people realise and is often hereditary (she recognised some on my own skin that had never been diagnosed!). I hope this helps.

Cindra - posted on 10/11/2011

One more thing that might help your daughter: When my daughter was examined, the doc had her leave her panties on and then pulled them to the side to do the exam. At the following visit my daughter was comfortable enough to take off her panties.

Kathleen - posted on 10/11/2011

Also try yogurt it seems to help. Bodywash, detergent, fabric softeners, bubble bath, and yes even sitting in a bath too long and the soap can cause this. She should let the doctor see her. It would help to diagnose. My advice at least to try for at least week, best to try two weeks is change out our bodywash/soap to ivory, change your detergents or anything else you use for laundry to free and clear, and tell your daughter to take showers instead of baths. See if it clears up on its own. Then you'll know it's one of those...or just choose the bodywash/soap or the detergent to change out.

Sherene - posted on 10/11/2011

What the hell is Kiki??? Parents must teach kids the right and real naame for thier body parts, whilst other may agreee that nothign is wrong with the name sorry but it is the parts are vagina and penis whats up with these silly names any how it is what it is point blank... maybe something she is eating has an effect in her blood for example too much sugar don't have to be so just saying so you can check it out...

Michele - posted on 10/11/2011

You've gotten some really great advice so far. One thing I would suggest is taking her with you to your gyn appointment so she can see it's no big deal. Of course keep her at your head. She doesn't need to see the procedure itself .

Cleomie - posted on 10/11/2011

Yes, it could be the perfume in her body wash. You need to use a wash or soap that does not have perfume or sweet scent in it> This is what is causing the irration, and ordor. To start off you can add two teaspoon of arm &hammer salts in the bath water. Also, you can dust corn starch on her "kiki" after her bath.

Gloria - posted on 10/11/2011

Does she take baths. One of my girls could not take baths and sit in water that becomes dirty as you are cleaning. Also get her to drink more Juice either something with cranberries or pomegrante

Ashley - posted on 10/11/2011

Honestly, she needs to learn to allow doctors down there, eventually she will need to see a gyno. You can be in room with her.

Marianne - posted on 10/11/2011

I have two little girls, aged 6 and 9 who often gets the redness and itchiness around the labia. They wear only cotton panties, no bath products containing detergents etc. I have found that when they wear tight ski-pants in summer and they get all hot and sweaty, then the yeast infection flares up. My gyn couldn't help and said that I have to take them to the pediatrician until they are at least 13 years old. I have found that using clotrimazole such as canesten cream only on the outside gives them immediate relieve and it is only necessary to use it for a day or two before the problem goes away.

Samantha - posted on 10/11/2011

It is possible for young children to get yeast infections. my 2 yr old son gets it on his bum, look like red blotchy patches. he is hiven canesten cream from the doc. his is aggreviated by nappy rash creams.

Denise - posted on 10/10/2011

Some of the culprits for yeast infections in little girls, bubble bath, laundry soap, wearing underwear that is not cotton.

Jamie - posted on 10/10/2011

It could be the bodywash, my 4 year old daughter cannot use bubble bath or bodywash. She is very sensitive to everything so I use baby shampoo and bodywash. That's what her Dr told us to use.

Pat - posted on 10/10/2011

Have her sleep without panties at night it give her body a chance to airout so to speak it works.

Cookie - posted on 10/10/2011

Don't let others tell you what to teach your child to call her "stuff" ( our name for it)....No ones business but yours. As for her issue, try switching soaps or using less...it will cause irritation. :(

Lois - posted on 10/10/2011

Candidal yeast infections are common in all girls, even babies. It lives on the surface of everyones skin and normally does not cause any problems. Sometimes when you use too much soap/bubble bath/shower gel, wear synthetic underwear, or even just get too hot, the delicate balance of bacteria that normally keep it at bay is tipped and it starts to overgrow and cause a problem with infection. As well as the natural yoghurt and cotton underwear, I would try loose clothing, avoid perfumes, soaps and bubble baths, and use a topical anti fungal such as clotrimazole for a few days. If that doesn't fix it you should see a doctor.

Joan - posted on 10/10/2011

Hi, my daugther was the same, and i just stopped using bubble bath and she was fine and now shes 22 and can use lots of things so dont worry just use baby soaps x

Roxanne - posted on 10/10/2011

Doc told me to shower daughters, no baths unless the bath is clear water, no soaps. No bathbubbles bodywashes,in the bathtub ...
they can do the same for grown women too.

Hulya - posted on 10/10/2011

Sit her in a bath with a little bit of warm water and lots of vinegar. I know it sounds crazy but believe me it works.

Stacey - posted on 10/10/2011

Bodywash can make it reddened ,Because it is harse too little ones , Have you tried oatmeal bath it worked with my grandaughter . She had a yeast infection an it helped alot an not giving her baths for a few weeks.

Moefeeda - posted on 10/10/2011

Try applying some plain yougard to the affected area. My daughters often get infections cause they love bubble baths and really find the yougard soothing. Changing to cotton undies also helps.

Amy - posted on 10/10/2011

Trying using flushable wipes instead of toliet paper. My cousin's little girl had the same problems and she was allegeric to the toliet paper.

Cheryl - posted on 10/10/2011

Post a reply!As a child in my family.. our "differences" were nicknamed... Suzy and Bozo, don't ask me where they came from but forever to this day anyone named Suzy or thinking of Bozo the clown always defaults to that original meaning in my mind.. so maybe an abbreviated word like "peeny" or "vaggie" or as Oprah say Va-jay-jay.. so as not to confuse with other words.. same with "Dick" unfortunate to be named that now with the double meaning!

Stacey - posted on 10/10/2011

I don't even use the proper name for my OWN genitals... give her a break...

Mary - posted on 10/10/2011

Sometimes bubble bath and such can be a problem for some little girls and can cause infection . you need to see the doctor sooner then nov. and talk to her about letting the doctor look he can make it better but has to know what he is treating .you can hold her hand while he is looking . And talk to her about how Mom goes to the doctor and has her doctor look sometimes I am sure it will make it easies for her

Tammy - posted on 10/09/2011

She needs 2see a Dr. ASAP.

Krista - posted on 10/09/2011

They also make a Monistat cream now for external yeast infections. I've used it, as I have sometimes had that happen (redness and peeling) at my bikini line, and it works very well.

Melana - posted on 10/09/2011

Get the acidophilus pills with live cultures in them they have them for children at whole foods. A smell usually means that the bad bacteria has over taken the good this should help.