Bronchiolitis, ear infections and yeasty butts....

[Pandana]

All in a month's time, I tell you. Of course, it was a chain reaction, so I'm not surprised or anything.

He started out with what I believed to be a bad chest cold. He had an awfully raspy cough, and a rattling in his chest. There was a low-grade fever at night, but it was easily alleviated with a single dose of Tylenol. So I assumed, rightfully, that it was a virus and proceeded with the standard comfort measures. Steamy shower, nighttime vaporizer, no dairy, and lots of snuggles. And within a week, the cough began to subside, as did the rattle.

HOWEVER, his mood took a nose dive. He was suddenly in absolute misery. Fussy beyond any conceivable reason. So I decided that it was time to consult our pediatrician. The pediatrician suspected that it had been a case of bronchiolitis, and confirmed that I treated it correctly. But informed me that he was now suffering a slight ear infection, most likely as a result of all of the coughing, which causes pressure in the Eustachian tubes and can lead to fluid build up. Though the infection appeared fairly minor, it was clearly causing him terrible discomfort, so he recommended that we go ahead and do a round of antibiotics to just knock it out and give him some peace. So we did. Within days, he was back to normal.

THEN, his tiny bum started to pink up. I thought, oh, he's a bit chapped....I'll cream him up real good and nip this in the bud. No such luck. Within a few days it went from a light, chappy pink to a full-blown blistery, flaming red! He was waking up in the middle of the night screaming, which was unusual for him. And he wouldn't let me touch him downstairs at all. I'd try to change his diaper and he'd screech in pain and clench his little butt so that I couldn't wipe it. Just as I began to feel that twist of helplessness in my stomach, it dawned one me.....

The antibiotics! This was no diaper rash at all! It was a yeast infection! DUH! I ran for a tube of Lotrimin I had in the bathroom and after gently rinsing his ravaged bottom as best I could, I slathered him with the anti-fungal and let him run free. Within minutes, he seemed relieved. It then occurred to me that if he had yeast in his diaper, he might have it in his tummy too. And while his daytime grazing would stave off any grumbling or aches, after half a night's sleep, his foodless, yeast-filled belly was probably roaring mad. That solved the mystery of the night wakings! So I continued the Lotrimin applications for the next two days, and stuffed him full of yogurt and chewable acidophilus to repair his digestive woes, and....

I think we are now yeast free! And chest gunk free, and ear junk free! Now, I can't help but ask myself, what's next? This chain of events has played itself out......what's for Christmas this year? A well baby? I certainly hope.

[mamajody0507]

Dec. 22, 2008 at 11:37 PM

I'm glad he feels better now! Now hopefully it will STAY that way!

[Pandana]

Dec. 22, 2008 at 11:39 PM

Goodness, I hope so too. I'm tired of this sickly business! Thanks!

(Original Poster)