What to do about thrush?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on January 26, 2025
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Thrush is a local lesion caused by the infection of oral mucosa by Candida albicans. Comprehensive treatment measures should be adopted for treatment, starting with addressing the cause. Nystatin and baking soda water can be used to rinse the mouth three to four times daily. Additionally, good oral hygiene must be maintained. All items that come into contact with the mouth should be sterilized before and after eating or feeding, not just daily, as sterilizing only once a day is insufficient. Thirdly, children and patients can consume probiotics to regulate gastrointestinal function and enhance immunity; appropriate medication to boost immune strength can also be taken. Of course, if there are underlying diseases, treatment should still continue. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Which department to see for thrush

Oral thrush is a disease caused by Candida infections of the oral mucosa. If you go for pediatric treatment, in a division with detailed specialties, newborns can visit the newborn outpatient clinic; infants or older children usually visit the pediatric outpatient clinic during normal working hours. During non-working hours, such as noon, evening, weekends, and holidays, it's appropriate to visit the pediatric emergency department. If visiting a specialized children's hospital or a dental hospital, the pediatric oral medicine outpatient clinic is also a good option. Of course, if a child with oral thrush also has some underlying diseases, it might be advisable to visit the outpatient clinic for the primary underlying disease.

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Written by Zhang Ai Min
Pediatrics
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How to treat thrush?

Thrush is a fungal infection, so its treatment is relatively simple. Generally, the approach involves maintaining an alkaline environment in the affected area, such as using 2% baking soda solution to cleanse and apply to the mouth. This 2% baking soda solution is made by diluting the 5% baking soda solution commonly available in pharmacies or hospitals by half, resulting in a 2%-2.5% solution. This can be used to rinse the mouth three to four times a day. After three to four days of cleaning, if there is no improvement, antifungal tablets such as miconazole or fluconazole dissolved in water can be applied to the affected area, typically yielding very good treatment outcomes. If there is no improvement after applying the baking soda solution and the antifungal solution, oral antifungal medication may be considered. In addition to these treatments, I believe prevention is most important. Preventing fungal infections involves maintaining cleanliness of the mouth and hands, ensuring the cleanliness of items such as baby bottles, pacifiers, and spoons, especially ensuring that adults' hands are free of fungal presence.

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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What does thrush look like?

Children with thrush mainly suffer from an infection by Candida albicans. In the child’s oral mucosa, including the lips and pharynx, a white membranous substance can be observed, which cannot be wiped off. In this situation, thrush should be considered. Often, it is due to the child repeatedly having an infection, the long-term use of antibiotics or corticosteroids, leading to decreased immunity and thus the occurrence of thrush. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to oral care. Once thrush is diagnosed, the child should be locally treated with a sodium bicarbonate solution and an antifungal to quickly treat the thrush. At the same time, it's important to prevent diseases from entering through the mouth. All items entering the mouth, like bottles and milk utensils, should be sterilized at high temperatures.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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How to treat thrush?

Thrush is an oral mucosal lesion caused by an infection of Candida albicans, commonly seen in infants and young children, especially those with low immunity or those taking steroids and other immunosuppressants. The treatment mainly involves symptomatic and supportive care, which may include topical medication. Diet management is also important; it is advisable to provide rice soup, glucose, and vitamin-rich foods, while avoiding high-sugar, stimulative, and greasy foods to prevent worsening the symptoms and discomfort in children. Lastly, hygiene related to the child’s feeding equipment, including pacifiers, bottles, and spoons, should be maintained by timely sterilization. Breastfeeding mothers should also pay attention to the hygiene of the breasts and nipples to prevent recurrent episodes of thrush. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician for medication usage and do not self-medicate.)