What department should I go to for thrush?

Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
Updated on October 26, 2024
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Thrush is a lesion caused by a Candida albicans infection of the oral mucosa, so the choice of clinic should be based on the specific situation. If it is neonatal thrush, it is usually appropriate to visit a neonatal clinic or a general pediatric clinic. If it is an older child with thrush, then it’s typically seen by a pediatric clinic during normal working hours, or it can also be seen at a dental clinic. During non-working hours, such as at noon, in the evening, on weekends, or holidays, it is generally appropriate to visit pediatric emergency or dental emergency services. Of course, for specialized children's hospitals and dental hospitals, there might be clinics available for pediatric dental medicine, in which case one would visit a pediatric dental clinic.

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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Is thrush prone to recurrence?

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 Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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How to completely eradicate recurrent thrush?

Thrush is inherently prone to recurrence, and the difficulty in eradication is primarily due to poor hygiene, so figuring out how to effectively treat it is crucial. Firstly, active treatment should be implemented. The mouth should be rinsed with 2% baking soda solution at least four times a day. In severe cases, an antifungal agent can be added to the 2% baking soda solution for mouth rinsing. This is the primary step. Secondly, proper hygiene must be maintained. In principle, all items that come into contact with the baby's mouth, including pacifiers and bottles, need to be disinfected promptly. Of course, if breastfeeding, the cleanliness of the nipples and breasts is also very important.

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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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How is thrush treated?

Thrush is a mucosal lesion in the mouth caused by an infection with Candida albicans, commonly seen in infants and young children, especially those with compromised immune systems, such as those using steroids or immunosuppressants. The main approach to treatment is symptomatic and supportive, primarily involving topical application of medications. Dietary management is also crucial, typically involving the provision of bland, non-irritating foods. The use of sugary, greasy foods should be avoided to prevent exacerbating the symptoms. Of course, another important aspect of treatment is preventing reinfection by maintaining good hygiene, especially with food. All items that come into contact with the child's mouth, including pacifiers, bottles, and spoons, should be sterilized after each use. If breastfeeding, the cleanliness of the mother's nipples and breasts is also very important. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)