Wondering about the best fungal infection baby treatment?
Nothing is set to give you headaches than when your little one is sick. Children are delicate and very susceptible to illnesses, therefore, it’s advisable for you to seek medical attention when you notice changes in your baby’s health.
What does a fungal infection of the skin look like?
Fungi are parasites that tend to live in the human skin and moist areas of the body, like between the toes and at the groin support the growth of fungi. In babies, fungi also thrive in warm, sweaty and unclean skin, and ends up attacking the external layer of the skin causing a fungal infection. If one part of the body is infected with fungi, it can cause reactions elsewhere on the body. An infection on the foot may cause a rash on the fingers. When your little one has a fungal infection, it may give you unrest and anxiety. Here are some ways that you can tell if your baby is infected with fungi;
Symptoms of fungal skin infection
Depending on the type of fungal infection one has, different symptoms may be witnessed.
- Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). This one of the most common types of ringworm which is rare among children. It affects the feet and can be caused by not drying the feet well after bathing, sweating, wearing tight socks and shoes, warm weather conditions. It’s symptoms are;
- Scaly red rash
- Blisters
- Chronic dryness on the soles of your feet
- Whitening in between the toes
2. Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis). It’s common in children and rare in adults. It’s symptoms are;
- Loss of hair on the scalp
- Itching of the scalp
- A red scaly rash on the scalp
- Rash elsewhere on the body
3. Nail ringworm. It is caused by the same fungi that cause athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. It affects both fingernails and toenails but it’s most common in toenails as it festers in warm areas. It’s symptoms are;
- Loss of the nail
- Scaling under the nail
- Discolouring of the nail
- Distorted nail
- Odor coming from the nail
How do you treat fungal infection in babies?
Most of the fungal infections can be treated with over the counter treatments.
Antifungal creams such as clotrimazole, miconazole, and ketoconazole are available in pharmacies and online. Depending on the type of infection, a baby may also need prescription antifungal medicine. On scalp ringworm, which can take several months to disappear, a doctor may recommend special shampoos to avoid rash irritation.
An infected ringworm rash may require treatment with antibiotics, so its best to take the baby to a doctor.
How can I treat fungal skin infection naturally?
Home remedies for ringworm;
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera contains antiseptic agents that according to research, exhibit antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral activities. Apply the aloe vera gel to the patch three or four times daily. The gel also has cooling properties that may help soothe itchy and swollen skin.
- Apple cider vinegar. It has antifungal properties against fungal infections. To treat ringworm with it, place your wool pad on the undiluted vinegar and wipe it on the infected area up to three times a day.
- Garlic. It also has antifungal, antibiotic, and antibacterial properties. Use paste garlic mixed with olive or coconut oil, apply it on the infected area, leave it for a couple of hours then rinse it. Apply twice daily until your symptoms reduce.
- Soap. Wash the infected area with soapy water thoroughly to prevent the infection from spreading to other areas.
- Turmeric. It has anti-inflammatory properties. Apply turmeric paste mixed some water or coconut oil to the infected area.
Home remedies for athlete’s foot;
- Garlic. Make a paste of garlic clove and olive oil and apply it to the infected area. Leave on for about half an hour then wash off. Repeat this two or three times a day. Antifungal and anti-microbial properties in garlic will help with your athlete’s foot.
- Baking soda. Dusting a little of it on your shoes and feet helps suck up moisture and prevent the spreading of the fungal infection.
- Hydrogen peroxide. This cures athlete’s foot by getting rid of both bacteria and fungus. Soak your feet in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Organic tea tree oil. Soak your feet in a solution of water and 40 drops of tea tree oil.
How long does it take for a fungal skin infection to clear up?
The duration of treatment for fungal infections depends on whether it is a superficial fungal infection or a deep tissue fungal infection. Superficial fungal infections can take anywhere from a few days to a few months to heal. Deep tissue fungal infection can take up to two years to treat. In persons with weakened immune systems, the treatment and management of a fungal infection may take the rest of their lives.
Will a fungal skin infection go away on its own?
Depending on their severity, some skin infections will go away on their own after some time whereas most of the mild infections require medical treatment’
What happens if fungal infection is left untreated?
- The skin can become irritated and painful, if ringworm is not treated.
- Even if most of them don’t cause any longterm consequences when left untreated, fungal infections will make you uncomfortable with the itchiness and swelling.
What does baby yeast infection look like?
Yeast infection just like other infections, thrives in warm and moist areas. In toddlers, yeast infection may occur in the armpits and the area of skin beneath a diaper. Yeast infection in babies looks more of a diaper rash but the rash is bright red with small red dots on the edges. Yeast infections do not respond to diaper cream.
The symptoms of a yeast diaper rash include:
- The bold red rash is contained within a slightly raised border.
- The rash is still hanging around after two days of diaper rash treatments.
- Red or scaly areas (for boys on the scrotum and penis, for girls on the labia and vagina)
- Pimples, blisters, ulcers, or sores filled with pus
- Satellite lesions, or smaller red patches that blend with the other patches
- Typically, the rash is only under the diaper and has not spread to other areas.
How do you get rid of a yeast infection on a baby?
Yeast infections last for about two weeks but should improve in 2–3 days with appropriate antifungal medication. Natural remedies may help to relieve symptoms in the meantime.
Some of the natural remedies are;
- Apple cider vinegar: Add a cup of this vinegar to a toddler’s bath water.
- Garlic: Mix a clove of raw garlic into a toddler’s food or alternatively mash it into a paste and spread it over the affected area of skin.
- Tea tree oil: Boil one and half-cup of water and allow it to cool. Add 5 drops of tea tree oil and use the solution to clean the affected area.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal can help to ease the symptoms of a yeast infection. Place half a cup in a cheesecloth or a similar pouch and gently drop it into the toddler’s bath water.
It is important never to leave a toddler’s health to chance. You should seek medical advice if your toddler’s yeast infection is:
- spreading across a larger area
- causing worsening symptoms
- presenting new symptoms
- becoming warmer, more red, or swollen
- oozing fluid
What antifungal cream is best for baby yeast infection?
There’s no need to take your baby to the doctor in order to treat yeast diaper rash. In many cases, such infections can be cleared up with the simple application of some over-the-counter topical treatments. Three easy-to-find anti-fungal creams are Mycostatin (nystatin), Lotrimin (clotrimazole), and Monistat-Derm (miconazole micatin).
