What is oral thrush in children?

Thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. Thrush is most common in babies and in older adults with certain health problems, but it can occur at any age. Thrush in babies usually isn't serious.

Thrush can be a mild infection that causes no symptoms. If a baby has symptoms, they may include:

White patches inside the mouth and on the tongue.

The white patches look like cottage cheese or milk curds. Thrush is often mistaken for milk or formula. The patches stick to the mouth and tongue and can't be easily wiped away. When rubbed, the patches may bleed.

A sore mouth and tongue and trouble swallowing.

If the infant can't eat because of a sore mouth or throat, he or she may act fussy.

Poor appetite.

The infant may refuse to eat, which can be mistaken for lack of hunger or poor milk supply.

Diaper rash.

This may occur because the yeast that causes thrush also will be in the baby's stool.

In most cases, doctors can diagnose thrush just by looking at the white patches. The doctor will also ask you questions about your or your child's health. If your doctor thinks that another health problem, such as diabetes, may be related to thrush, you may also be tested for that condition.

In healthy infants, thrush usually isn't a serious problem and is easily treated and cured. Except for the mildest cases, you should treat thrush to keep the infection from spreading.

Thrush is usually treated with prescribed antifungal medicine such as nystatin liquid. In most cases, you will put the medicine right on the white patches.

The yeast can cause a diaper rash at the same time as thrush. Your doctor may prescribe nystatin cream or ointment for your baby's diaper area.

Mild thrush is usually treated until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have gone away. For some severe infections, a longer treatment period may be needed.

• Clean bottle nipples and pacifiers regularly in boiling water.
• If you are breastfeeding, use an antifungal medicine, such as nystatin (Mycostatin), on your nipples. Dry your nipples after breastfeeding.
• If your child is eating solid foods, you can massage plain, unflavored yogurt around the inside of your child's mouth. Check the label to make sure that the yogurt contains live cultures. Yogurt may help healthy bacteria grow in the mouth. These bacteria can stop yeast growth.
• Be safe with medicines. Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with any medicines.
• It's important to get rid of any sources of infection, or thrush will come back. Items your child may put in their mouth should be boiled or washed in warm, soapy water.