Yeast Infection in Babies (Thrush)

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If you are looking for yeast infection in babies, thrush is one of the most common cases. It is a yeast infection that can lead to white patches on the tongue and in the mouth, which usually more common in older adults and babies. Nevertheless, thrush can occur at any age (so it is not only restricted to babies or older adults).

You may also like to know and read about whooping cough in babies, before continuing!

In several cases, a yeast infection in babies is often a mistake to diagnosis thrush for formula (or milk).  Generally, the characteristics of thrush are similar like milk curds or cottage cheese. Avoid wiping the white patches of thrush because this idea will not be helpful to make better, but on the other hand will make them sore and red. Babies with a yeast infection (like thrush) usually will not be easy to persuade them to eat, and even they can be cranky!

Causes of yeast infection in babies

Like mentioned before, yeast infection in babies is often referred to thrush. It is an infection of the mouth which usually caused by Candida yeasts. Once again, as mentioned before although thrush is more common in toddlers and babies, but it can occur at any age or in other words we can say that it can affect anyone.

Candida funguses usually live normally in the mouth at small amounts. They also usually live normally in the digestive tract and even skin. The amounts of these yeasts are controlled by friendly bacteria and other micro-organisms.

Unfortunately, certain external factors can influence the balance of bacteria which eventually may also create an ideal condition or environment for Candida yeasts to overgrowth, and finally will cause what we call as thrush. Some of these external factors include:

1. Stress
2. Illness, particularly like dry mouth, AIDS or HIV infection, cancer, and unmanageable diabetes.
3. Certain medications, such as taking antibiotics and corticosteroids.

Yeast infections are not only limited to the mouth, they also can occur in the genital area (or familiar known as vaginal yeast infections in women and penile yeast infections in men). An overgrowth of Candida yeasts also can lead to diaper rash in infants. Individuals who wear improperly dentures and smoke have higher risk to get thrush. A baby with thrush also can pass the infection to her/his mother through breastfeeding.

Common thrush symptoms

Yeast infections in babies, which particularly yeast infections in mouth (thrush) usually develop suddenly. The following are common thrush symptoms:

1. Babies with oral yeast infection will have slightly raised lesions (creamy whites) in the mouth (which most often on inner cheeks or tongue). Sometimes, the slightly raised lesions also can be found on the roof of the mouth, tonsils, back of the throat, and gums.
2. A cottage cheese is usually the most familiar appearance of the lesions.
3. The lesions are usually painful, particularly if we brush the teeth or scrape them! They also can spread into swallowing-tube or esophagus (in severe cases), which eventually can cause difficulty or pain swallowing, fever, and trouble when eating. Even in people with the bad immune system, HIV or cancer -- yeast infection in the mouth can spread to the skin, liver or lungs!

How to lower the risk of thrush?

Generally, we can prevent yeast infections in mouth by following some of helpful tips below:

1. Visit regularly our dentist! Especially if we wear dentures or have diabetes!
2. If we are smoker, we should stop smoking as earlier as possible. Smoking may disturb some micro-organisms or bacteria in the mouth.
3. Avoid eating yeast-containing foods! Wine, beer, and bread may encourage to the growth of Candida fungus.
4. Always follow and obey ‘good and proper hygiene practices’! Floss the teeth at least once a day and don’t forget for brushing teeth at least 2 times a day.

For more detailed information about the treatments and more advices of yeast infection in babies, don’t forget to talk with your doctor!