Neck Cheese

Like the other moms have said it is a yeast infection. My son had this. Get Lotrimin a.k.a Clotrimazole. You can find the Lotrimin AF in the womens aisle at CVS. And the Clotrimazole in the Foot Section (its a fungal creme for atheletes foot and other fungi). You'll need the 1% though which would be the Clotrimazole. Use it daily and keep using it for a week after the break out heals.

Hey C.,

Sounds like a yeast infection. I battled the same with one of mine and that's what the doctor told me. I got a tube of Medicated yeast cream like vagisil and it cleared it right up smell and all.

Hope it helps!!

I had a similar problem with my daughter (who's a year old now) and it was formula spilling into her neck line from the bottles. I would actually lay a receiving blanket across her chin under the bottle to catch it. It sounds like you are already doing what you need to to clean it up once it hits her neck, but maybe you can try preventing it from getting there.

I would bring it up to the ped. It could be some kind of infection. I know kids can get yeast infections just about anywhere. If that's what it is, it can only be taken care of by a prescription.

sounds like it's a yeast infection, and she probably needs some nystatin cream. my dd had an awful diaper rash that was yeasty, and we used nystatin-- i'll tell you this-- it works, but it seems to take forever to clear it all up! i would definately say something to your ped., especially if s/he decides nystatin is needed, since it's prescription only. your ped. might also suggest something different. good luck!
J.

Sounds to me like a topical yeast infection. You might try using a clean cloth diaper every time that you feed her in her neck area to catch and dropping milk or spit up. Try changing to a DYE-FREE (ALL is cheap) laundry detergent for just her things. Also check to make sure the tag from her clothes or the necklines aren't super tight. Also use a antibacterial soap to clean her neck three times a day......at least! And you can use bacatracin ointment (over the counter and recommended 10 years ago for a circumcision for my oldest and I used it again when they said just petroleum for my second son's circumcision when it started oozing) follow the directions. And you should immediately tell the Dr. Anything you try to hide and they find on their own might be considered child neglect!

I'm not sure but ask your dr. it sounds like a yeast infection and doesnt need any moisture such as creams. the child needs a powder nystantin. yes nystantin comes in a powder form also. good luck.

It sounds to me like she has a yeast infection. Go to the pharmacy and look in the yeast infection stuff, and find a cream made of clortimatole. This is one of 3 ingredients you can get over the counter to cure yeast infections. You can also get a new cream from the dr. that has an ingredient in it similar to those women use, but in a diaper cream. They are all the same type of stuff. If it doesnt go away after that, you definitely want to have the dr take a look and make sure the infection is a yeast infection, and not something bacterial rather than fungal,which yeast is. Hope this helps!
A. J

The problem is that water/spit/wetness gets there in the first place. So, what worked for us is to spread a liberal amount of PurLan (any 100% lanolin cream you have for breastfeeding works) on there so that the area can breath but it repels the water from the skin. Clean it often and know that it will clean up once she gets a neck!
Good Luck:)

Say something to the doctor, what your seeing is a yeast infection. I worked in nursing homes for a long time and it's very common for the skin under the folds to become infected. Typically a topical powder, called Nystatin (just like they use for thrush, also a yeast infection, but in powder form instead of a liquid) is used. Will clear up in no time. But please say something to the doctor because if it is left untreated with proper medication it can cause the skin to break down, kind of like you are seeing now.

try cornstarch or gold bond powder

I dont have personal experience with this, but I worked at a daycare and heard a story about something similar once. It was actually a reoccuring yeast infection, that had to do with the baby's diet, they had to switch formula and do an antibiotic treament. I would definately ask the dr about it.

could be a yeast infection....

I would say something to your doctor. It may be yeast and they can get you a prescription lotion for it.

It sounds to me like you need to get a nystatin cream. The neck area probably has a fungus. Nystatin cream along with keeping it dry should clear it up. Ask your doctor, he can probably give you samples.

C.,

I was lucky with my daughter that I only had to deal with "cradles cap". But I would say, definitely, speak to your family doctor about this! Because the OTC may only make it harder to treat and to clear it up. So please do both of you a favor and ask your doctor.

It could be some type of infection that she is carrying inside her body and it is coming out there. Only a professional can run those tests to make sure exactly what is going on with her. So please take this opportunity and make both of yourselves more comfortable.

K.

My doctor recommened yeast infection medicine when my sons were little...and it worked very well.
Also--don't use soap on the babies neck--use plain water and be sure you get it very dry!
Good Luck!!!

My premie had the same problem last fall. It was in part due to formula and breast milk running down the side of her face and getting into those folds. It happens from too much moisture. What helped hers was to wash it thoroughly and then make sure to COMPLETELY dry it. After her neck is completely dry, cover her neck in baby powder. It cleared my daughters completely up. You will have to keep an eye on it, but if you notice it getting "raw" again, just keep baby powder on her.

I don't know what kind of access there is to alternative medicine in your area, but one thing I found that worked *miracles* with my kids was using cool yarrow tea to rinse areas affected by yeasty infections (diaper area, chubby creases, etc). You can find yarrow in most weed patches, but you might be better off looking for the extract or dried leaves/tea in a herbal medicines store, just don't get the kind prepared with alcohol (ouch! painful on those raw areas).

Yes, bring it up with your Ped. That's why you pay them!
Honestly, you've tried all that I have. Well...ask your doctor about it, but you could also try mixing hydrocrotisome (imagine this is spelled correctly:) ) and anti-fungal creme. If nothing works just keep telling yourself (as you already know) "it is only a phase".

About the Asperger's: I've worked with kids (tweens and teens) with this and they have all been male. Is it far more common in males?

use corn starch! my son had the same problem... after u bathe her wipe her neck dry and then put some starch on her neck... it looks funny but works really good! my sons neck cleared up in a couple of days!!!

Hi C., Stick with an antifungal cream like lotromin. It's basically a little yeast infection and those can be stubborn. You have to keep treating it for a while even if it looks like it's cleared up. My kids used to get that too. It's frustrating. Good luck!!

Hey, I have read all the responses, and they're all very on track. It could be yeast which can usually be cleared up with lotramin (an antifungal at your local drug store). My 3 daughters all experienced this at one time or another in the diaper area, under arms, or chubby creases. Never once did my pediatrician need to prescribe something. The lotramin has always worked.
Also, I agree with the people who say just to keep it dry by constantly changing bibs and using the powder. If it's not yeast, I would try this next.
My third daughter is about to be fourth months, and I'm just now finding her neck is staying a lot more clean. All that neck fat is slowing starting to go away the bigger she gets. So, I would assume your problem should start going away sooner than later! Best of luck!

Although it is not a cure, I use an ointment called Aquaphor (you can get it at Wal-mart)on everything (cuts, diaper rash, scratches, bruises) with our twins (now 2 yrs). I also us it on the cracks on my hands and feet. They get so sore and bleed and after a dose or two they get much better. Try it!

I would DEFINITELY say something to the pediatrician. Also, I was going to suggest Lanolin to get it cleared up initially, but I see that you've tried that. Have you tried Neosporin? Also, try using baby powder or cornstarch under the neck. We used that under the neck, armpits, and some hard-to-reach folds and never had a problem again. (My daughter would get cheesy too...) If you're nursing, check the latch. She's obviously leaking milk somewhere...if you're bottle feeding, try a different nipple, or a different system.

Good luck!

Have you seen your periatrician? It may be a yeast infection. Those need to be tackled two-fold. You need an external medicine and some form of antibiotic to tackle it internally. I would schedule an appointment immediately.

also, I don't use any diape rash ointment when my son's skin is raw. My doctor said it only makes things worse. He told me to keep it moist and protected...maybe with something like petroleum jelly. Also, be careful with lanolin. Lanolin is made from sheep's wool. If yor cild is allergic to wool, you could be making things worse.

I haven't actually gone through this, but it sounds like some sort of yeast infection. I would definitely take her to a doctor. She may need to take something orally to clear it up for good. Good luck.

M.

C. Yes, the famous "neck cheese" lol. My son had the same problem when he was that age. He just turned a year old last week. Don't use babywipes on your child the stuff used in baby wipes cause irritated skin to dry out and crack. I used a baby wash cloth and gently washed it away. To heal the cracks use a tiny bit of bag balm a little goes a long way. You can find it at any store or pharmacy just ask for it. It comes in a pint size green tin square can. I hope this helps;)

T.

The only thing that got rid of it for my son was age... He grew out of it. I tried all kinds of things. Mostly what worked best was to keep an absorbent bib on him. When he quit drooling and actually grew a neck instead of 8 chins, it went away.

Sorry I'm not any help, but thought you might like to know you weren't alone!
S.

C. ,

Try some Aveeno Oatmeal products .( creams , bath wash , soaps )or call your child's doctor for a check-up .