Is thrush prone to recurrence?

Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

Updated on November 02, 2024

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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)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

1min 16sec

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Can thrush heal by itself?

Thrush is generally caused by a fungal infection due to an imbalance in the microbial flora, primarily involving the formation of a white plaque membrane by Candida albicans on the surface of the oral mucosa. It is mainly seen in individuals with lowered immunity, such as those with long-term malnutrition, repeated use of antibiotics, diarrhea, or the use of certain medications like corticosteroids. Additionally, unsanitary conditions during breastfeeding, fungal contamination on the mother's nipples, or fungal infection from nursing equipment can also lead to thrush. Typically, thrush does not require special antimicrobial medication. If the baby's immunity improves and their intestinal flora are properly established, thrush can heal spontaneously. It is generally recommended to orally take some probiotics and enhance oral care, which can include cleaning the oral cavity with 2% sodium bicarbonate before and after breastfeeding, or locally applying antifungal agents to suppress the fungal growth in the mouth.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua

Pediatrics

1min 10sec

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How to completely cure thrush?

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

55sec

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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.)

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Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

57sec

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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 Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

44sec

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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.