Fungus Among Us

My child has had a terrible case of diaper rash for a good 4 months now. Two months ago I finally took him in to the doctor. I was told it is a yeast infection, given some anti-fungal cream and told to let it “air out” as much as possible. So, I began using the cream and allowing him a few minutes of air time at each diaper change.

Nothing happened, unless you count pee on the carpet. So, I called the doctor.

“It’s not getting any better.”

“Are you airing it out?”

“For a little while.”

“Well, try airing it out more.”

Great, I’ll just send him over to your house without a diaper for a couple of hours every morning. . .

After another two weeks, I called again and was told to come see the doctor. I was given a second prescription for another topical anti-fungal, several refills and told to wait it out. Oh, and to keep airing it out. So, I filled the prescriptions, bought some more carpet cleaner and headed home.

My child has been very healthy his whole life. In fact, between copays, prescriptions and pet odor and stain remover, this is easily the most we’ve spent on him medically since he was born.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, he is unfortunately not ready to be potty trained.

“Tell mommy when you need to do poo poo or pee pee.”

“Mommy! Poop—GROUND!”

“Perfect, I’ll get the carpet cleaner”

“Mommy! Rag? Help?”

I’ve taken to letting him wander around outside in big-boy underwear and rain boots. We’re the talk of the neighborhood.

Yesterday we tried the pediatrician instead of the family practitioner. Now we have an oral and a topical anti-fungal. I’ll keep you posted.

Today he peed in his rain-boots.

“Mommy! Boots WET!”