Possible Candida Infection on My Eleven Year Old Daughter

by Tricia
(Fresno, CA, USA)

My eleven year old (Caucasian) daughter showed me a brown scaly rash on her legs. She said she's had it for months and originally thought it was dirt. I think she was afraid to show it to me out of fear she would have to go to the doctor.

She also developed acne (or what appears to be) around her nose about 2 months ago. We went to the dermatologist and she poked a needle in a zit on her nose, said it was infected, and prescribed an antibiotic for it. She also prescribed Klaron lotion for her face and Desowen cream for her legs. When I asked about natural remedies, she scoffed and became combative.

She said she had no idea what the leg rash was other than what it was not - a rash. But she still prescribed meds for it without knowing what it was. She pulled down her underwear and the rash was in her groin area as well. After I pursued it, even threatening not to leave until she addressed it, she said maybe it's a thyroid disorder and sent us off for lab work.

I didn't fill her prescription as I decided I didn't trust any doctor who would prescribe an antibiotic for a zit. I called my sister, who is a cardiac nurse in another state, and described her rash. She diagnosed her over the phone. She said it was likely a yeast infection she got from wearing skinny jeans, and the brown scaly pigmentation is merely the after effects. She told me to get acidophilus, take her off sugar and flour.

But after reading yours and others websites, it looks like the candida cleanse is more complicated and geared for adults. My daughter is 75 pounds. Plus, I've been treating the legs and face as if it were a fungal condition. It made sense since she has always had a fungal problem with her scalp and behind her ears since she was a baby.

I now have her bathing in Epsom salts, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and washing her hair with Selsen Blue. I tried vitamin E oil on her face, but it got worse. I put iodine and tea tree and rosemary oil on her face. I've done many things but the face acne is getting worse and spreading to her eyes. The zit is gone and the leg and groin rash is the same. Her belly is riddled with tiny bumps but no discoloration.

I need advice. Should I try another doctor? I hate doctors and they've done nothing but create problems for her and for all of my family. I have never had a good experience with them. I live in an area where there are no holistic health doctors and the only natural health MD is not covered by my insurance and is very expensive. I looked up yeast infections and the only one that sounds like hers is called Malassezia Furfur. Are you familiar with this? I could use any help you can give even if it's just to acknowledge you read my plea for help.

Thank you.


ANSWER


Hi Tricia,

I’m sorry you and your daughter are going through this. I can hear your frustration and I’m sure she is pretty upset about it too.

I can see a bit of myself in your writing. I’ve developed an aversion to doctors as well (at least those practicing in the U.S.). They’re great if you have a car accident or fall off a building, but for health-related problems, drugs tend to be the only answer.

DO’s (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) are, as a whole, MUCH better than MD’s. DO’s are much more holistically-minded, so check to see if you have any in your area.

As far as taking care of the rash – no matter where it is on her body – use coconut oil (see buy coconut oil for info on getting the right kind).

One of coconut oil’s benefits is that it is a natural antifungal. Rub the oil on any kind of weird rash and it will go away quickly. No drugs, no side effects. It doesn’t stain sheets or clothing either.

But the question remains - why is she getting these weird outbreaks?

The information of my site is appropriate for children too. Check her body pH with pH strips and see if she is acidic. Yeast cannot thrive when we achieve body pH balance.

Check her vitamin D levels too. More and more evidence is pointing to vitamin D deficiency for many kinds of skin conditions. Getting her levels up to a healthy range will also help her deal with any internal candida infections.

Vitamin A deficiency can cause skin problems too. Do you think she is getting enough in her diet?

You said you tried iodine on her skin too – was that an iodine tincture? If so, you can use it to test her for iodine deficiency (and, therefore, thyroid problems). Just put the solution on a patch of her skin (an inch or two square) and see how long it takes her body to absorb it. Less than eight hours means she is significantly deficient. Between 8-24 hours is moderately deficient. Over 24 hours to see the stain go away is a healthy level of iodine.

Iodine deficiency is more rampant now than vitamin D deficiency – which is really saying something considering the vast majority of Americans are vitamin D deficient.

This should give you a good place to start - and none require a trip to the doctor. Feel free to ask any more questions by clicking on the comment link below.

Wishing you (and your daughter) the best of health,

Melissa
Approach Wellness