Thrush Yeast Infection In Infants

Thrush yeast infection is a common infection that affects the mouth or oral cavity of a human. It is caused by the Candida albicans species of yeast which is also known as a fungus. It is a condition that affects many newborn babies and younger children, but can also affect adults as well. The Candida albicans yeast is the same yeast that causes vaginal yeast infections and diaper rash. When this infection infects a child's mouth it is known as oropharyngeal Candidiasis or thrush. 

Thrush yeast infection is one of those infections that sounds much worse than it actually is.  Some of the symptoms to look for in your infant is white patches coating the inside of the mouth, including on the tongue, roof, lips, and gums as it spreads.  These patches may be painful to the baby increasing his irritability.  Unlike breast milk, these patches cannot be wiped away easily.  Sometimes, if you try to wipe them away, it results in bleeding which leaves behind a painful  ulcer. 

Click Here Now To Visit Yeast Infection No More

Diagnosis 

There is no culture or testing that will indicate the pattern of symptoms related to thrush.  Normally, if your infant is very fussy and refuses to eat, your pediatrician may investigate to see if there are other conditions causing these symptoms. 

Thrush Treatments 

There are several treatments that are effective in treating thrush.  Among these is a prescrption medicine called Nystatin which is given four times per day.  The treatment usually lasts for seven to ten days and at least three days after you no longer see any symptoms of the thrush.  A gauze can be used to dab the medicine directly on the patches which causes the medicine to be in direct contact with the yeast. 

Another prescrition medicine to treat thrush yeast infection is Fluconazole (Diflucan).  The benefit to this medicine over the Nystatin is that it must be administered only one time per day.  However, it it more expensive than Nystatin and is usually used as a second line treatment.  In studies, Fluconazole was shown to be superior to Nystatin in the treatment of thrush in otherwise healthy infants. 

Another altenative for thrush yeast infection is the use of Gentian Violet which does not require a prescription.  This can be purchased over the counter from your local pharmacy but it is relatively messy to use and can turn your baby's lips and clothing purple. 

What You Need To Know About Thrush 

There are several items you need to know about when dealing with a thrush yeast infection.  These include: 

1)  The thrush yeast infection in a baby who is breasfeeding  

      can be spread to the mother causing pain in her breasts 

      and nipples.  She will need to get a treatment for her 

      infection along with the baby. 

2)  The Candida albicans yeast infection causing thrush is 

     prevalent no matter how carefully you sterilize pacifiers, 

     bottles, toys, etc.  Be sure to carefully clean any objects 

     the baby will put in his/her mouth. 

3)  If the baby has a reoccurring thrush infection due to 

     overuse of a pacifier or bottle, this may result in the  

     mouth cracking.  This results in the perfect habitat for the 

     yeast to continue to grow and cultivate.  You might want 

     to get rid of the pacifier or bottle or buy new ones until 

     the infection is cured. 

4)  In older children who have not been on antibiotics or 

     steroids, the consistent thrush yeast infection can  

     indicate a more serious condition of diabetes millitus or an 

     immune system disorder. 

5)  Infants with thrush yeast infection that seems to be  

     chronic may indicate a more serious condition regarding 

     the  immune system.  If your infant is not gaining weight 

     as he should be or has other infections or medical 

     problems  you should seek your pediatrician's advice.