Oral thrush is treated in the department of stomatology.

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Thrush is a disease caused by the infection of oral mucosa by Candida albicans. Depending on the age of onset of thrush, different departments should be chosen for treatment. If the disease occurs in the newborn period, the neonatology outpatient clinic should be visited. If the child is over one month old, they can be seen at the dental clinic or the pediatric outpatient clinic during normal working hours. During non-working hours, such as noon, evening, weekends, and holidays, the pediatric emergency department should be consulted. Of course, some cases of thrush occur because the individual has an underlying disease, including immunodeficiency, current use of immunosuppressive drugs, or long-term use of steroids; in such cases, the outpatient clinic of the department treating the primary disease should be visited.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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What is thrush?

Thrush is a fungal infection that commonly occurs in infants and young children, especially those with weakened immunity due to prolonged use of immunosuppressants or steroids. It is caused by the infection of oral mucous membranes by Candida albicans. Commonly affected areas include the oral cavity, mucous membranes, gums, and tongue. It appears as white patches on the mucosa that generally cannot be wiped off with a cotton swab. Forceful wiping may lead to bleeding. Treatment mainly involves topical medication, a light diet, and maintaining good oral hygiene, which is very important.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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How is thrush treated?

Thrush is a mucosal lesion in the mouth caused by an infection with Candida albicans, commonly seen in infants and young children, especially those with compromised immune systems, such as those using steroids or immunosuppressants. The main approach to treatment is symptomatic and supportive, primarily involving topical application of medications. Dietary management is also crucial, typically involving the provision of bland, non-irritating foods. The use of sugary, greasy foods should be avoided to prevent exacerbating the symptoms. Of course, another important aspect of treatment is preventing reinfection by maintaining good hygiene, especially with food. All items that come into contact with the child's mouth, including pacifiers, bottles, and spoons, should be sterilized after each use. If breastfeeding, the cleanliness of the mother's nipples and breasts is also very important. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Is thrush easy to cure?

Thrush is a common oral disease in children, particularly in infants, caused by Candida albicans infection. Thrush is not easy to cure, so it is essential to treat it promptly when an oral infection occurs. It is necessary to apply a suspension of sodium bicarbonate and an antifungal agent locally to the child's mouth, and all items that enter the mouth, such as bottles and pacifiers, must be sterilized at high temperatures. If the child is breastfed, the mother's nipples should also be thoroughly cleaned. Additionally, for children who have been using antibiotics or corticosteroids for a long time, or who have weakened immune systems, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent the occurrence of thrush. Because all these details about thrush need attention, once diagnosed, it must be treated promptly; otherwise, it is truly not easy to recover from. (Please follow medical advice for the use of medication.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Is oral thrush contagious?

Oral thrush is an infection caused by Candida albicans due to certain specific conditions, such as a weakened immune system or long-term malnutrition, prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics or corticosteroid hormones, and dysbiosis in the intestinal flora. It primarily manifests as white patches on the oral mucosa. During breastfeeding, if Candida contaminates the nipples or nursing equipment, it can also lead to oral thrush. Generally, oral thrush is not highly contagious. It is recommended to maintain good hygiene and proper oral care. Generally, breastfeeding is not significantly affected under normal circumstances.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Is thrush prone to recurrence?

Oral thrush is due to an infection with Candida albicans in the mouth, and it is relatively easy to recur. It primarily occurs in children who have been frequently ill recently and have taken a lot of antibiotics, or in those children who have low immunity. Under these conditions, if oral care is poor and these adverse factors persist, then the child's oral thrush is particularly prone to recurrence. Therefore, once oral thrush is diagnosed, it is essential to treat it actively. After treatment, it is necessary to treat the area with sodium bicarbonate for a period of time. If antibiotics or corticosteroid drugs are still being used, preventive treatment should also be carried out to completely cure the oral thrush. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)