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Symptoms of Candida in Children

Besides adults or sexually active adults, children also can suffer from candida. Candida is a yeast overgrowth and can be found in infants and children. Typical issues include baby thrush, skin rashes, diaper rashes, anal rashes and fungal sinus infections. However, children have a high turnaround once infected and can recover quicker than adults.

  1. Physical Symptoms

    • Children with candida yeast infections can have physical or visual symptoms. In babies, candida may appear in the form of frequent and heavy diaper rash, colic, rectal rashes, genital rashes or other eczema-type skin rashes. A child may also have oral thrush, where a layer of white film is seen in the mouth, on the lips or on the tongue. Gas, diarrhea and constipation also can occur. These symptoms may be worse on damp days or in damp environments. Other signs of candida in children include recurring ear, throat and nose problems and headaches as well as continuous ongoing nasal congestion, coughing or wheezing.

    Behavioral Symptoms

    • Candida also can create behavioral symptoms in children. They may act colicky for longer than 3 months or begin craving sweets. Other behavioral symptoms include hyperactivity, learning problems, irritability, overall unhappiness or seem difficult to please and seemingly unwell even though doctors cannot find the root of the issue. A child with candida can be misdiagnosed as hyperactive or having a learning disability. Children with candida also can have allergic reactions to foods, chemicals and preservatives. There are even some doctors that believe a small proportion of children diagnosed as autistic actually have a severe candida infection.

    Candida Exposure

    • Children can acquire a yeast imbalance of intestinal flora by the frequent use of antibiotics or steroids, such as asthma medications or antibiotics for ear infections. Some children may be susceptible to thrush and may have had a history of baby thrush, yeast-related diaper rash. Other children may be born with candida or develop it after a first round of antibiotics. Excessive use of antibiotics can encourage candida growth and lead to future complications with candida overgrowth.

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