$Unique_ID{PAR00167}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Thrush}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Thrush White flaky plaques plaque flake flakes patch patches tongue
inside mouth antibiotic antibiotics nutrient nutritional deficiency
deficiencies illness illnesses Candida albicans fungus fungi fungal infections
nystatin fever cough breast breasts nipple nipples vaginal yeast infection}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Thrush


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOM
     - White, flaky plaques (patches) on the tongue and the inside of the
       mouth

     HOME CARE
     - Follow the doctor's instructions for treating thrush.
     - Sterilize objects that are placed in the baby's mouth.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Thrush often follows antibiotic treatment and may also accompany
       nutritional deficiencies or long-term illness.
     - A nursing mother may have to use medication on her breasts to avoid
       reinfecting the child.
     - A nursing mother should be treated for diseases that could reinfect her
       child.
     - White plaques that occur only on the tongue are probably not due to
       thrush.
     - If thrush recurs frequently, it may be because objects that are placed
       in the baby's mouth are not being adequately sterilized.  Consult your
       doctor.
     - Treat thrush only with products recommended by your doctor.  Overuse of
       nonprescription products can burn the membranes of the mouth.


     Thrush is a mouth infection caused by the Candida albicans fungus.  It is
common in babies immediately after birth and in infants and toddlers.  Thrush
frequently follows antibiotic treatment and accompanies nutritional
deficiencies and chronic illnesses.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Thrush causes white, flaky plaques that resemble milk curds to appear on
the tongue, roof of the mouth, gums, and the insides of the cheeks and lips.
These plaques do not easily wipe away.  Generally, thrush produces no other
symptoms.  The diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory tests to identify the
Candida albicans fungus.

HOME CARE

     To treat thrush, the doctor will prescribe nystatin solution and show you
how to place the recommended dose into each of the child's cheeks four times a
day after the child has nursed or eaten.  To prevent reinfection, sterilize
objects that are placed in the baby's mouth.  A nursing mother may have to use
nystatin cream on her breasts to avoid reinfecting the baby.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  White plaques confined to the tongue are probably not due to thrush.
     They are normally the result of nursing.
  -  If thrush occurs with a fever or cough see your doctor.
  -  If thrush recurs frequently, it may be because objects that are placed in
     the baby's mouth are not being adequately sterilized.  Consult your
     doctor.
  -  Treat thrush only with products recommended by your doctor.  Overuse of
     nonprescription products can burn the membranes of the mouth.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will try to determine if the child has some condition that
increases his susceptibility to thrush.  The nursing mother may be examined
and treated for diseases of the nipples or vagina that may reinfect the
infant.  (The Candida albicans fungus causes what is commonly known as a
vaginal yeast infection, and a mother can pass the infection to the baby.)