How to completely cure thrush?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on November 26, 2024
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Oral thrush is caused by the infection of the oral mucosa with Candida albicans, so the following points should be emphasized in treatment to achieve a radical cure.

Firstly, treatment should aim at the cause. It is recommended to use bicarbonate medications to wash the mouth. In severe cases, antifungal agents can be used together with the bicarbonate solution to cleanse the mouth, and the treatment duration should be sufficient to eradicate the condition.

Secondly, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene. All tools entering the baby's mouth should be sanitized before and after each use, not just daily.

Thirdly, children with recurrent oral thrush usually have relatively poor immunity. It is important to maintain sanitation, take probiotics orally, and manage gastrointestinal functions. At the same time, proactive infection prevention is necessary and, if there are underlying primary diseases, active treatment of these is also required to prevent recurrent oral thrush.

(Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Oral thrush is treated by the Department of Stomatology.

Thrush is a disease caused by Candida albicans infection of the oral mucosa, which is more common in infants and young children, especially those with weakened immune systems or those who are taking steroids or immunosuppressants. If the baby develops thrush during the newborn period, they should be seen at the neonatology clinic. If the thrush occurs after one month of age, older infants can be seen at the pediatric clinic during normal working hours. During non-working hours, such as noon, evening, weekends, or holidays, pediatric emergency services are available. If convenient, a pediatric dentistry clinic can also be visited.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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What to do about thrush?

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 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 Ai Min
Pediatrics
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How many days can thrush heal?

The duration for the treatment of thrush to be effective indeed varies among individuals, as the development of thrush is sometimes due to inadequate hygiene, or the caregiver might have a fungal infection, and sometimes it is due to a weakened immune system, Therefore, if these factors are not involved and it's simply a case of thrush, generally, after undergoing treatment such as rinsing with baking soda water or using antifungal medications, the condition should improve within 3 to 7 days. If there is no improvement, it's important to investigate the reasons why the child's condition is persistently poor and address these reasons accordingly. Thus, in most cases, the condition should improve within 3 to 7 days. However, if it does not improve, it is advisable to consult a hospital for a check-up and further treatment.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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How many days does infant thrush heal on its own?

Thrush in infants generally relieves within a week, but the full recovery period depends on the baby’s own immune system and the medication used. Since thrush is a fungal infection, predominantly caused by the Candida species, which is a conditional pathogen. If a baby has low immunity and a disrupted intestinal flora balance, it can lead to recurrent episodes of thrush, facilitating the growth and infection of fungi. Treatment can be administered using sodium bicarbonate solution for cleaning, along with antifungal agents and oral probiotics, which often alleviate symptoms within a week. However, if the baby's immunity is not effectively improved later, and the imbalance of the body's flora is not effectively controlled, recurrence is likely. Therefore, the treatment of thrush is comprehensive and not solely reliant on medication. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)