Understanding Oral Thrush
What is it? An overgrowth of the fungus Candida Albicans in the mouth, which is a normal fungus we all have in our mouth in some amount all the time.
Common manifestation of Oral Thrush:
- In infants mostly, especially those who use nipples a lot (i.e. bottlefed), there can be an overgrowth of this natural fungus, which causes thick white plaques in the mouth that you cannot scrape away. Other risk factors that can lead to overgrowth include:
- Taking antibiotics
- Taking steroids
- Using nipples from pacifiers or sippy cups
- Breastfed babies can get this if the mother has a yeast infection (look for cracked/sore nipples)
- Not having a fully competent immune system (i.e. on chemotherapy or immune suppressing medications - this is not common)
- If your infant has a concurrent diaper rash at the same time as oral thrush be sure to tell your medical provider - since that can also be a candidal rash that needs a prescribed antifungal as well!
When to Manage at Home
✅ Most children can be managed at home with simple uncomplicated oral thrush as long as they are:
- Drinking and/or eating enough to have wet diapers every 6-8 hours
- Without a fever or sick symptoms that may indicate something other than uncomplicated oral thrush is going on
How to Treat at Home
🏠 Home remedies for Oral Thrush:
- Sterilize & Decontaminate
- Clean between uses anything that goes into the infant's mouth (bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups, teething toys, etc). Boiling in hot water, running through a dishwasher, or washing in warm soapy water are all ways to clean between each use.
- If using a breast pump also wash all parts that touch the milk the same way
- If the infant is in daycare staff should take the same cleaning measures and be sure not to share bottles/toys/etc with other infants/children in the daycare.
- If breastfeeding - we recommend shorter, more frequent feeds which can reduce discomfort. Talk to your provider about whether treatment is needed - if so you can pump and feed expressed milk while both you and your infant are being treated.
- Nystatin Oral Solution: If diagnosed by a medical provider you can expect them to prescribe an oral solution that you can apply with a Q-tip to coat all lesions four times a day for 7-14 days. Usually a minimum of 7 days is needed, or for at least 2-3 days after lesions resolve but no longer than 14 days
- If symptoms are not improving by day 7 of treatment - talk to your provider, your infant may need an oral medication
- If you are breastfeeding and have cracked/sore/itching/burning nipples you will likely need a cream prescribed as well
- If your infant has a diaper rash that looks more consistent with a candidal rash they will also need an antifungal cream prescribed for the diaper area
When to Contact Poppins
📱 Contact us again when:
- Symptoms are not improving after 7 days on treatment
- New sick symptoms or fever
- Concern for dehydration
If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.
