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Medical Author:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What are yeast infections?
• Why do yeast sometimes cause symptoms?
• How do babies get yeast infections?
• What is oral thrush? What are symptoms of oral thrush?
• How do children (and adults) acquire thrush?
• How does yeast affect diaper rash?
• Can thumb sucking cause problems with yeast?
• Can a nursing mother acquire yeast infections from her infant?
• How are thrush and other yeast infections treated?
• Should a child with yeast infection be kept out of child care?
• Are there other names for yeast infection?
• Find a local Pediatrician in your town
• Thrush and Other Yeast Infections in Children Index

Nursing mothers are at risk for developing Candida infections on their breasts (this is called mastitis) and can be treated with the same medication that is used for infants.

Oral thrush and yeast infections, such as Candida diaper rash, are usually treated with the antifungal antibiotic called nystatin (Mycostatin), either by mouth or in a topical cream. Luckily most Candida are very sensitive to nystatin and resistance is rare. Brand names for nystatin preparations include

• Mycostatin,
• Mycostatin Filmlok,
• Mycostatin Pastilles,
• Nystatin Ointment,
• Nystat-Rx,
• Nystop,
• Pedi-Dri.

For children with diaper rash, diapers should be changed frequently and the child's skin gently cleansed with water and a mild soap, rinsed, and patted dry. Barrier creams or ointments such as Desitin or A&D are helpful. While cornstarch may be recommended for mild diaper rash, it should not be used for children with significantly inflamed skin. High-absorbency disposable diapers may help keep the skin dry. Plastic pants that do not allow air to circulate over the diaper area should not be used, although the diapering system should be able to hold urine or liquid feces.