How to treat thrush?

Written by Zhang Ai Min
Pediatrics
Updated on September 10, 2024
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Thrush is a fungal infection, so its treatment is relatively simple. Generally, the approach involves maintaining an alkaline environment in the affected area, such as using 2% baking soda solution to cleanse and apply to the mouth. This 2% baking soda solution is made by diluting the 5% baking soda solution commonly available in pharmacies or hospitals by half, resulting in a 2%-2.5% solution. This can be used to rinse the mouth three to four times a day. After three to four days of cleaning, if there is no improvement, antifungal tablets such as miconazole or fluconazole dissolved in water can be applied to the affected area, typically yielding very good treatment outcomes. If there is no improvement after applying the baking soda solution and the antifungal solution, oral antifungal medication may be considered. In addition to these treatments, I believe prevention is most important. Preventing fungal infections involves maintaining cleanliness of the mouth and hands, ensuring the cleanliness of items such as baby bottles, pacifiers, and spoons, especially ensuring that adults' hands are free of fungal presence.

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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.)

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Which department to see for thrush

Oral thrush is a disease caused by Candida infections of the oral mucosa. If you go for pediatric treatment, in a division with detailed specialties, newborns can visit the newborn outpatient clinic; infants or older children usually visit the pediatric outpatient clinic during normal working hours. During non-working hours, such as noon, evening, weekends, and holidays, it's appropriate to visit the pediatric emergency department. If visiting a specialized children's hospital or a dental hospital, the pediatric oral medicine outpatient clinic is also a good option. Of course, if a child with oral thrush also has some underlying diseases, it might be advisable to visit the outpatient clinic for the primary underlying disease.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What to do about baby thrush?

Thrush in babies generally indicates that the child has low immune function, or it has been caused by the long-term use of antibiotics, leading to an imbalance of bacteria and the overgrowth of white Candida in the oral mucosa. Thrush is not scary, and we can generally treat it by using 2.5% sodium bicarbonate to clean the mouth, followed by applying nystatin tablets to the oral cavity three times a day. It usually heals in three to five days. However, thrush tends to recur, so it's important to pay attention to oral hygiene.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Is thrush easy to scrape off?

Oral thrush is caused by an infection with Candida albicans, resulting in localized lesions on the oral mucosa. Typically, a white membranous layer appears on the affected mucosa, which is difficult to wipe off. Forceful removal can lead to submucosal bleeding, which means it is not advisable to scrub the area. Instead, rinsing the mouth with about 2% baking soda solution is the correct approach, and this can relieve most symptoms. Additionally, it is important to maintain proper disinfection and hygiene. All tools that come into contact with the child's mouth during the period of oral thrush should be disinfected before and after each use. Consuming probiotics can also help manage the condition, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.