Frequent sores in the mouth or complaints about difficulty in swallowing food may indicate thrush in children. Also known as oral candidiasis or oral thrush, it is one of the most common fungal infections caused by the yeast Candida Albicans that may affect children. If the child is healthy otherwise, thrush is usually not a cause of concern. Read this post as we tell you about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, complications, home remedies, treatment, and prevention of oral thrush in children.
What is Thrush?
Thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth and is caused by the yeast Candida albicans (1). It can affect the tongue, throat, gums, or the lining of the mouth, causing irritation. Thrush is also called oral candidiasis or oral thrush. The yeast Candida is a microorganism naturally present inside the body. It grows at a normal rate in the mouth, throat, or esophagus without causing any symptoms. But if the environment inside the mouth becomes favorable for excessive growth of this microorganism, it can lead to an infection (2). The next section lists the signs of thrush you must look for in your child.
What Are The Symptoms Of Thrush?
If your child complains of discomfort or pain in the mouth, then check for these symptoms (2) (3):
White spots or patches on the lips, tongue, and inner cheek.
Scraping the white patch reveals the red spots which may bleed.
Soreness of mouth and throat.
Cracks and fissures in the mouth.
Difficulty in swallowing food.
Loss of taste.
Feels like there is cotton in the mouth.
The section below lists the risk factors causing thrush in children.
What Are The Causes Of Thrush?
Here are the factors that can increase the chances of thrush in children (3):
Result of an antibiotic treatment that destroys the balance of microorganisms within the body.
Weakened immune system due to prolonged illness or health conditions like HIV, cancer or cancer treatments, or congenital immune deficiencies.
Conditions causing dry mouth.
Use of medications for treating psychiatric conditions.
Use of corticosteroids for the treatment of inflammation or asthma can cause oral thrush. This is seen more often if an inhaled cortisone is used without a spacer device
Diabetes with high blood sugars
Early diagnosis of the condition helps in taking the right step towards treatment.
How Is Thrush Diagnosed?
The pediatrician will first examine the child for the symptoms of thrush. Further, a small sample will be collected by scraping the lesion inside the mouth for microscopic examination. It helps to identify the type of yeast and its sensitivity. The below section explains the different medications used in treating thrush.
What Is the Treatment For Thrush?
Mild thrush generally does not require any treatment as it clears on its own. But if the symptoms do not subside, then the doctor may prescribe the following treatments: Dosage: 1mL for one-month-old babies and 2mL for children aged over a month If you are breastfeeding your baby, your nipples might become infected. It is wise to apply the oral gel also on your nipples before and after breastfeeding, to stop re-infection between mother and baby. If you find any unusual symptoms along with thrush, then call your doctor right away.
When To Call A Doctor?
When thrush becomes severe, the child may show other symptoms too. Watch out for these symptoms and seek medical assistance if your child has them (4) (5):
The child looks unwell and has a fever.
Extremely dry mouth.
Painful lesions develop inside the mouth.
The infection becomes recurrent even after taking the medication.
Dark urine or very less urination in 8 hours.
Drinking less water.
Bleeding in the mouth.
Mild thrush can be managed with a few home remedies.
Home Remedies For Treating Thrush
Here are a few home care tips to prevent thrush and alleviate its symptoms in children:
Use a soft toothbrush for brushing the teeth.
Use warm salt water to rinse the mouth.
Let the child eat unsweetened yogurt while taking medicines for thrush.
Lactobacillus supplements help maintain the balance of Candida in the mouth.
Eating cold food and drinking cold liquids can ease the discomfort of thrush. Also, eating soft and easy-to-swallow food can lessen the discomfort of thrush.
Thrush is usually curable. But in the case of a weakened immune system, there are chances of re-occurrence, which may cause serious problems (6). It can also cause invasive illness in immunocompromised patients.
Complication Of Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is rarely dangerous but can be unpleasant. If the fungus spreads into the food pipe, then it makes swallowing difficult. Severe untreated thrush can also spread to the esophagus, urinary tract, or the whole body causing an infection that can lead to multiple organ failure and death (3). However, if it is left untreated for years, then the fungus can penetrate, although rarely, deeper into the tissue layers and enter the bloodstream, resulting in blood poisoning (septicemia), which is also life-threatening (1). Preventive measures can stop the overgrowth of the fungus that leads to such complications. Find out more about it in the next section.
How To Prevent Oral Thrush?
Here are a few tips you can follow to prevent thrush:
Avoid using mouthwash.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Rinsing the mouth thoroughly after the child uses a corticosteroid inhaler.
If your baby uses bottles and a pacifier, make sure to sterilize this properly. Washing it with coarse salt might also help.
