Thrush in Children: Care Instructions
Your Care Instructions
Thrush is a yeast infection inside the mouth. It can look like milk, formula, or cottage cheese but is hard to remove. If you scrape the thrush away, the skin underneath may bleed. Your child might get thrush after using antibiotics. Often there is not a specific cause. It sometimes occurs at the same time as a diaper rash.
Thrush in infants and young children isn't a serious problem. It usually goes away on its own. Some children may need antifungal medicine.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
How can you care for your child at home?
- Clean bottle nipples and pacifiers regularly in boiling water.
- If you are breastfeeding, use an antifungal medicine, such as nystatin (Nyaderm), on your nipples. Dry your nipples after breastfeeding.
- If your child is eating solid foods, you can massage plain, unflavoured yogurt around the inside of your child's mouth. Check the label to make sure that the yogurt contains live cultures. Yogurt may help healthy bacteria grow in the mouth. These bacteria can stop yeast growth.
- Be safe with medicines. Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think your child is having a problem with any medicines.
- It's important to get rid of any sources of infection, or thrush will come back. Items your child may put in their mouth should be boiled or washed in warm, soapy water.
When should you call for help?
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
- Your child will not eat or drink.
- You have trouble giving or applying the medicine to your child.
- Your child still has thrush after 7 days.
- Your child gets a new diaper rash.
- Your child is not acting normally.
- Your child has a fever.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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Current as of: June 12, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
