Thrush (oral candidiasis), also known as oral moniliasis, is a yeast infection of the mouth or throat (the oral cavity). The yeast that most commonly causes oral candidiasis is Candida albicans
Who's At Risk
Thrush is very common in newborn babies and infants.
Other factors leading to thrush in children include:
- Diabetes or other glandular (endocrine) disorders
- Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome
- A course of oral antibiotics
- Leukemia or lymphoma
- Poor nutrition
- Immune deficiency, such as HIV/AIDS
- Use of inhaled steroids for certain lung conditions
Signs and Symptoms
Thrush may appear as white or pale yellow spots on the inner surfaces of the mouth and throat, the tongue, and the lips. It may resemble cottage cheese or milk curds. Scraping off these membranes may be difficult and may leave slightly bleeding sores.
Thrush may be accompanied by a burning sensation in the mouth or throat (oral cavity).
Thrush may make eating and drinking uncomfortable, and children with thrush may lose water in their body tissues, becoming dehydrated. It is important to make sure your child maintains good nutrition and fluid intake (hydration) while infected with thrush.
See your child's doctor for treatment of thrush with prescription medications.
When to Seek Medical Care
Thrush requires medication, which your child's doctor will prescribe after a visit for evaluation. If your child has an immune system deficiency, you will need even quicker and more aggressive treatment to keep the yeast out of the bloodstream and prevent it from infecting other parts of the body. Seek immediate medical attention if the white or yellow membranes of thrush are accompanied by fever, chills, vomiting, or overall illness.
Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe
Your doctor will instruct you on how to keep your child's oral cavity very clean (hygiene practices), and treatments will center on killing the overgrown yeast with anti-fungal medications:
- Nystatin – This medicine must touch the yeast in order to kill it. Nystatin comes in a suspension or liquid, and also in a lozenge, called a troche. Have your child swish the suspension around the mouth and then swallow it. The lozenge dissolves in the mouth. Use the suspension and/or lozenges several times a day until the lesions are completely gone.
- Amphotericin B suspension – Swish the suspension around in the mouth and swallow it several times a day until the lesions heal completely.
- Clotrimazole lozenge – Let the lozenge dissolved in the mouth several times a day until the lesions have healed completely.
- Fluconazole pill or suspension – Swallow this medication once daily for 5–10 days.
Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology
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Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine
ed, pp. 2013. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.