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Medicare / Health Articles / Articles
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Common Fungal Infections In Young Children
A majority of children, at one time or another, would have encountered some form of fungal infection. If your child develops a rash on the buttocks or white patches in the mouth, how do you know if it is a result of a yeast infection? Some of the types of fungal infections that occur frequently in young children include oral thrush, diaper thrush, ringworm and white spots.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is an infection of the yeast fungus, Candida albicans, that occurs on the surface of the tongue and the insides of the cheeks. It appears as white patches known as ‘plaques’ which resemble milk curds. One way to distinguish Candida plaques from milk curds is that if the surface of the plaque is scraped away, a sore and reddened area will be seen underneath. This area may sometimes bleed.
It occurs most commonly in babies, particularly in the first few weeks of life. Outbreaks of thrush in older children may also be the result of an increased use of antibiotics and steroids which disturbs the balance of microbes in the mouth. This causes an overgrowth of Candida which results in thrush.
One product that is currently available for sale over the counter to treat oral thrush is miconazole gel. Preparations containing nystatin are also effective treatments. Oral thrush should respond to treatment quickly. Infant thrush that resists treatment or recurs frequently is a sign that the child should seek medical advice.
Candida Diaper Rash
Diaper rash, sometimes called napkin dermatitis, is a rash which occurs in the buttocks. Nappy rash will occur when the skin is sensitive and there is a presence of a trigger factor. Some trigger factors include prolonged exposure to urine and faeces, being unwell or thrush.
Candida diaper rash tends to be in the deepest part of the creases in the groin and buttocks. The rash is usually red with a clearly-defined border and consists of small red spots close to the large patches. In general, any diaper rash that lasts for 3 days or longer may be candidiasis. Thrush-related nappy rash can be treated by using an anti-fungal cream, such as clotrimazole or miconazole.
Tinea (“Ringworm”)
Tinea is a skin infection caused by fungi. It is called “ringworm” because the infection may produce ring-shaped patches on the skin that have red, wavy, worm-like borders. Some of the ways of catching tinea is by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, by sharing items with an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface (such as floors in shower and locker rooms). Some of the more common types that occur in children are as follows:
Tinea capitis will result in a diffuse, itchy, scaling of the scalp that resembles dandruff. It can cause patches of hair loss on the scalp. It is especially common among children aged 3 to 9, particularly children who live in crowded conditions in urban areas. Scalp ringworm spreads via contaminated combs, brushes, hats and pillows.
Tinea corporis, meaning as “ringworm of the body” involves the non-hairy skin of the face, trunk, arms or legs. This would produce the classic ring-shaped patches with worm-like borders which may occur singly or in groups of threes and fours. It can occur in persons of all ages.
Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot), produces area of redness, scaling or cracked skin on the feet, especially between the toes. The affected skin may itch or burn, and the feet may have a strong odour. It is often acquired by walking barefoot on contaminated floors.
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor, or more commonly known as “white spots”, is caused by a fungus known as Malassezia furfur. This fungus is present on the skin of most people but will only cause infection in some of them. This infection is common year-round in our hot and humid climate. It occurs more often in older children and young adults.
The infection causes a rash which may appear on the back, neck, upper chest, shoulders, armpits and upper arms. The skin rash consists of peeling, oval patches with sharply-defined borders and pimple-like bumps. The patches appear white or black on dark-skinned people and are usually pink or tan on the more fair-skinned. More often than not, it does not cause itching unless the person is hot or sweaty. The patches may be more obvious after the skin has been exposed to the sun, because the patches do not tan.
Topical treatments are available to treat the condition. The yeast should respond readily to treatment, but the changes in skin colour may remain for several months, especially if there has been sun exposure. Despite successful treatment, this condition commonly recurs.
Prevention Tips
We can minimise the chances of children getting fungal infections by making sure that they practise good hygiene. If possible, try not to let your children share personal items such as brushes and bath towels. Ensure that they do not go bare-footed at public places, such as shower rooms and swimming pools. And finally, after bathing, children should be towel-dried to prevent any tinea infections.
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