CAUSE
Yeast (also known as fungus) is normally present on most body surfaces, especially wet ones. The normal bacteria, acid content, sugar content, temperature and other factors keep the yeast from growing out of control. When these factors are changed, then the yeast can grow too much and cause problems. The most common causes of this are:
1. Antibiotics
2. Excessive moisture
3. Excessive heat
4. Improper hygiene methods
5. Often they just happen
TREATMENT and PREVENTION
The basic goal of treatment is to restore the normal environment to keep the yeast under control and anti-fungal medications. Please recognize that the following treatment measures may not result in a cure until any antibiotics are finished, but they should prevent worsening. DO NOT STOP THE ANTIBIOTICS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR PHYSICIAN FIRST.
REDUCE MOISTURE
- Wear cotton panties, and refrain from wearing tights or non-breathable clothing (or cut a hole in the crotch to let the area breathe)
- Thoroughly dry the vaginal area after baths and urinating by spreading the labia (folds of skin that cover the vaginal opening), patting the area with toilet tissue or a towel, and fanning the area with your hand or a hair drier on low.
PREVENT IRRITATION OF THE VAGINA
- Wipe from front to back when cleaning after stooling or urinating. Girls need to be continually reminded of this usually until just before puberty.
- Take showers instead of bathes. Even sitting in a shallow pool of bath water without bubble bath has been shown to irritate the vagina.
- Don’t use bubble bath.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
- Baking Soda Baths twice a day may restore the normal acid-base balance and help soothe the area. Add 2 oz of baking soda per tub.
- Use over the counter (non-prescription) clotrimazole Cream (Brand names = Lotrimin, Gynelotrimin, Femcare, Mycelex) after cleaning and drying the area. We have found clotrimazole to be more effective than miconazole (Monistat). The clotrimazole does not require a prescription, but many stores keep it behind the pharmacist’s counter, therefore you may have to ask the pharmacist for it. Do not buy the athelete’s foot version of Lotrimin as this has an acid added and may cause burning. Get the generic right next to it. Also DO NOT buy the extra strength version of Lotrimin, this is a completely different medication. Apply the clotrimazole cream to the entire visible vaginal area at least once a day until the symptoms resolve. It may take a few days to see a change and up to 7 to 14 days for a cure. Occasionally, the yeast infection may return soon after you stop the medication. In these cases, use the medication for 2 to 3 days after the symptoms completely resolve. Use the vaginal cream and not the vaginal inserts. You do not need to put the cream deep inside, only the area you can easily see by gently spreading the outer skin apart.
- If there is burning with urination, cover the irritated area with Vaseline after applying the clotrimazole. This will keep the urine off of the irritated area and is easy to remove.
WHEN TO CALL THE OFFICE
- If there could have been any trauma to the area
- If there is a foul smelling, green or greenish-brown discharge
- If there is any bleeding
- If there is a fever
- If there is any belly pain or vomiting (except if its mild and the child has a stomach flu)
- If there is no change at all in 3 to 5 days
- If the symptoms are present more than 14 days after starting treatment
