What department should I go to for thrush?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on October 26, 2024
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Thrush is a lesion caused by a Candida albicans infection of the oral mucosa, so the choice of clinic should be based on the specific situation. If it is neonatal thrush, it is usually appropriate to visit a neonatal clinic or a general pediatric clinic. If it is an older child with thrush, then it’s typically seen by a pediatric clinic during normal working hours, or it can also be seen at a dental clinic. During non-working hours, such as at noon, in the evening, on weekends, or holidays, it is generally appropriate to visit pediatric emergency or dental emergency services. Of course, for specialized children's hospitals and dental hospitals, there might be clinics available for pediatric dental medicine, in which case one would visit a pediatric dental clinic.

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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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How to prevent thrush

Thrush is a common oral disease in children, primarily caused by Candida albicans infection. Once diagnosed, it needs to be actively treated, generally with nystatin and sodium bicarbonate applied locally. It is essential to prevent thrush, starting with oral hygiene and care for the mouth. Additionally, all items that enter the mouth should be sterilized at high temperatures; bottles and pacifiers must be regularly sterilized, and for breastfeeding children, the mother's nipples should also be washed with clean water. The most critical point is to strengthen the immune system to prevent the frequent use of antibiotics and hormonal drugs, which can predispose children to thrush. Parents must pay close attention to this, so enhancing the immune system is very important to avoid illness and ensure proper care of the child. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Oral thrush is treated in the department of stomatology.

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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Can thrush be wiped off?

Oral thrush is caused by an infection of Candida albicans, typically forming white plaques on the surface of the oral mucous membrane. These plaques generally appear as small, curd-like spots or dot-like patches that can merge into a large area and are difficult to wipe off. If forcibly removed, the underlying oral mucosa may become reddened, rough, and even bleed. Therefore, one should not attempt to wipe it off and instead should seek proper treatment. The usual treatment involves the local application of 2% baking soda solution. This type of oral thrush generally does not affect a child's appetite or quality of life.

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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.