This Medical information was provided by Monica Fisher, M.D., A licensed pediatrician.
We know that adults can get yeast infections, but can 7-year-olds get them too? What do you do if your 7-year-old starts showing the symptoms of a yeast infection? After consulting with a licensed pediatrician and doing some research I found the answers.
So, can a 7-year-old get a yeast infection? It is very common for 7-year-old kids to get yeast infections if they spend prolonged periods of time in swimming suits or leotards because of dance, gymnastics, swimming, etc. Not all 7-year-olds will get yeast infections though.
There are many causes of yeast infections and the can be quite painful for anyone especially children. After consulting with licensed pediatrician Monica Fisher, I did some research to find out why 7-year-olds can get yeast infections and way to help treat it.
Can 7-Year-Old Kids get Yeast Infections? And Why?
It is not uncommon for 7-year-olds to get yeast infections. They are an uncomfortable infection and if it is not properly treated it will continue to return again and again.
Yeast loves to grow and spreads rapidly in dark moist places. This makes it easy for 7-year-old girls who are swimmers, dancers, or gymnasts to get a yeast infection. 7-Year-Old kids who leak urine a lot also are more susceptible to yeast infections.
Swimming suits and leotards help create an environment inside the vagina that is perfect for yeast to grow. That is why it is very important to take precautions with your children.
What is a Yeast Infection?
Normal Healthy Vaginas have yeast that lives there and helps to keep the environment of the vagina working properly. When a girl gets a yeast infection, her normal yeast
These infections are normally called vulvovaginal candidiasis because the type of yeast that normally causes yeast infections are called candida. When these yeasts grow out of control they create some painful symptoms.
This normally happens when there is too much warmth and wetness inside and around a vagina. That is why swimmers, dancers, and gymnasts are susceptible to yeast infections.
Swimming suits and leotards do not allow for a lot of air flow around the vagina and so a wet and warm environment can be created. It is important to follow certain protocol to help ensure that your daughters vagina is staying as clean and dry as possible.
What Are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?
Because yeast infections are so common we know a lot about the symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of a yeast infection is a burning and itching of the vagina. Other sympotoms include-
- Rash
- Redness of the vagina
- Soreness of the vagina
- Irritation or swelling of the vagina
- White odorless discharge that looks like cottage cheese
- Pain or burning during urination
These symptoms are not fun and can be quite painful for your 7-year-old. If your daughter starts showing signs of a yeast infection the best way to handle the situation is to take her into your pediatrician so they can run tests and determine the best medication to use.
What Can I Do to Help Prevent My 7-Year-Old From Getting a Yeast Infection?
If your daughter commonly spends time wearing a swimming suit or leotard or leaks urine it could be wise to take preventative measures to help lower the risk of yeast infections.
There are 3 really good suggestions that can help both you and your daughter avoid the pain and trouble of yeast infections. They may be simple but they can help.
- Make sure that your daughter is wearing cotton underwear. This is important because making sure that your daughter’s vagina stays dry is crucial. Wearing other materials can cause natural moistures to become trapped around the vagina and creating the perfect place for yeast to grow.
- Teach your daughter good vaginal hygiene. Making sure that the vagina is cleaned every day and properly dried can really help prevent yeast infections. Also, making sure that your 7-year-old daughter knows to wipe from the vagina to the butt can help keep out the yeast that is naturally found in the digestion tracts.
- The last tip is too perfumed or heavily scented bath soaps, lotions, etc. Using these types of soaps and things can cause irritations within the vagina and vaginal region that can lead to infections.
These suggestions are not fool proof and will not always prevent yeast infections, but taking care of your 7-year-old daughters vaginal health can really help.
How Do You Treat a Yeast Infection?
The number one way to treat a yeast infection is to take your child to your families pediatrician or doctor to have them tested for a yeast infection and then have your doctor prescribe the correct topical or oral medicine.
Some of the common methods that a doctor would take to clear up a yeast infection would be similar to those used with older girls. So, a paste or cream that is medicated or some form of oral anti-yeast medicines.
Your doctor will know how best to help your child’s yeast infection and will give you a prescription that will best benefit your daughter and her needs. It is important to see a doctor before treating your 7-year-old.
There are some at home remedies that people try to use to heal yeast infections, but is=f a yeast infection is not properly healed they can become frequent occure in your daughter’s life.
That is why it is SO important to meet with and talk to a licensed doctor before trying to treat your daughters symptoms at home. You also want to be careful to not miss diagnosis which is why seeing a doctor is imperative.
Can 7-Year-old Boys Get Yeast Infections?
It is very rare for a 7-year-old boy to get a yeast infection, although it is not impossible. Young babies boys or girls can get them rather easily and there are multiple forms.
Babies can get yeast infections in their genital regions that are normally caused by infrequent diaper changes. This looks different on boys than girls.
Boys symptoms normally show themselves with them getting white spots on their penis. As well as these white spots they also get a redness and a painful rash that develop on the penis.
The second type of yeast infection that baby boys can get normally shows itself around the navel and the skin folds around there. Babies will get a rash, patches that can ooze clear liquid, or itching.
The last kind that baby boys can get is oral thrush. This yeast infection is found in the mouth and causes white spots on the tongue, top of the mouth, or cheeks. It can be quite painful for babies, and they can pass it onto their mothers while breastfeeding.
So while it is not uncommon for baby boys to get yeast infections, it becomes more uncommon as they grow up. So, it is less likely that a 7-year-old by will get a yeast infection.
If you are concerned and think your 7-year-old son has a yeast infection take them to your pediatrician or family doctor and they can run test to diagnosis your son.
Related Questions
Can yeast infections go away on their own? Mild yeast infection may go away on their own with time, but a yeast infection that is not properly taken care of can become a painful recurring problem. It is always a good idea to go to the doctors and get a yeast infection properly taken care of.
How can I treat my 7-year-olds yeast infection at home? Doctors do not recommend using at home treatments to treat children’s or adults yeast infections. The best course of action is to take your child to the doctor so that they can prescribe an anti-fungal cream.
