What department should I go to for thrush?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on November 15, 2024
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Thrush is a disease caused by oral mucosal infection with Candida albicans, and typically, one should visit the pediatric department or the department of stomatology during normal working hours. During off-hours, such as noon, evening, weekends, and holidays, it is appropriate to see pediatric emergency or dental emergency services. For newborns with thrush, a visit to the neonatology department is recommended. Children with underlying immunodeficiency diseases or those taking immunosuppressive steroid medications should visit the department that treats their primary condition. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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What to do about thrush?

Thrush is a local lesion caused by the infection of oral mucosa by Candida albicans. Comprehensive treatment measures should be adopted for treatment, starting with addressing the cause. Nystatin and baking soda water can be used to rinse the mouth three to four times daily. Additionally, good oral hygiene must be maintained. All items that come into contact with the mouth should be sterilized before and after eating or feeding, not just daily, as sterilizing only once a day is insufficient. Thirdly, children and patients can consume probiotics to regulate gastrointestinal function and enhance immunity; appropriate medication to boost immune strength can also be taken. Of course, if there are underlying diseases, treatment should still continue. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
42sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for thrush?

Thrush is a disease caused by oral mucosal infection with Candida albicans, and typically, one should visit the pediatric department or the department of stomatology during normal working hours. During off-hours, such as noon, evening, weekends, and holidays, it is appropriate to see pediatric emergency or dental emergency services. For newborns with thrush, a visit to the neonatology department is recommended. Children with underlying immunodeficiency diseases or those taking immunosuppressive steroid medications should visit the department that treats their primary condition. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Does thrush hurt?

Thrush is caused by an infection of Candida albicans, forming white plaques on the surface of oral mucosa. Typically, it presents as small dots or patches on the oral mucous membranes that resemble curdled milk and can gradually merge into larger patches. They are not easily wiped off, without surrounding inflammatory response. Forceful removal might result in local mucosal redness, roughness, and possible bleeding. Generally, it is painless, does not cause drooling, and does not affect feeding. In severe cases of thrush, the white mucosal coating can extend to the pharynx, esophagus, trachea, and lungs, leading to symptoms like refusal to eat, low-grade fever, difficulty in breathing, and even life-threatening conditions. Typical thrush does not involve significant pain.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Is thrush easy to cure?

Thrush is a common oral disease in children, particularly in infants, caused by Candida albicans infection. Thrush is not easy to cure, so it is essential to treat it promptly when an oral infection occurs. It is necessary to apply a suspension of sodium bicarbonate and an antifungal agent locally to the child's mouth, and all items that enter the mouth, such as bottles and pacifiers, must be sterilized at high temperatures. If the child is breastfed, the mother's nipples should also be thoroughly cleaned. Additionally, for children who have been using antibiotics or corticosteroids for a long time, or who have weakened immune systems, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent the occurrence of thrush. Because all these details about thrush need attention, once diagnosed, it must be treated promptly; otherwise, it is truly not easy to recover from. (Please follow medical advice for the use of medication.)

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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.