Thursday, July 22, 2010

Thrush

My baby girl has Thrush...poor thing is miserable, but we got her on antibiotics and it seems to already be helping.

What is thrush?
Thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the
tongue. Thrush is most common in babies and older adults, but it can occur at any age.
What causes thrush?
You get
thrush when a yeast called Candida, normally found on the body, grows out of control.
In babies,
Candida causes thrush because babies' immune systems are not yet strong enough to control the growth of the yeast. Older people get thrush because their immune systems can weaken with age.
Some people get thrush when they take certain medicines, such as
antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids. People who have health problems, such as diabetes or HIV, are also more likely to get thrush.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of thrush are white patches that stick to the inside of the mouth and tongue
.
In babies, it is easy to mistake thrush for milk or formula. It looks like cottage cheese or milk curds. Don't try to wipe away these patches, because you can make them red and sore. Some babies with thrush can be cranky and do not want to eat.
How is thrush diagnosed?
In most cases, doctors can diagnose thrush just by looking at the white patches. Your doctor will also ask you questions about your health. If your doctor thinks that a health problem, such as
diabetes, may be causing thrush, you may also be tested for that condition.
How is it treated?
Thrush in babies is usually not serious, and you can treat it with antifungal medicine such as
nystatin liquid. In most cases, you will put the medicine directly on the white patches. When a baby has thrush, the yeast can cause a diaper rash at the same time as thrush. Your baby may need nystatin cream or ointment for his or her diaper area.
To treat thrush in adults, at first you will probably use medicine that goes directly on the white patches, such as a liquid or a lozenge. If these medicines don't work, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal pill.
How can you manage thrush?
If your baby has thrush, it may help to:
Clean bottle nipples and pacifiers regularly using hot water.
Clean your nipples with medicine, such as nystatin, if you breast-feed your baby. Breast-feeding mothers and babies can pass a yeast infection back and forth.

3 comments:

Elizabeth

Ahnaleigh had that for awhile before someone pointed it out to us. I had no idea what it was and thought it was normal. But, I took her to Dr. and they fixed her. She ate a lot better after it was gone. Kinda weird on what you learn being a parent and how their are so many new things babies teach you

(¯'·.¸ ♥ мяs. gяiswoℓ∂ ♥¸.·'¯)

Yes, you most definitely learn, and sadly have to learn the hard way. Im just so happy that it isnt more serious...and so easily cured. After the first 2 doses of the antibiotics, it was already clearing up. I had heard of Thrush before, but didnt even think that could be what it was...and I think we caught it pretty quickly because the white had appeard the day before we took her in. But I think it had been sitting in her throat for awhile...she had lost her voice because of it, but was acting completely normal aside from that. She was eating well, pooping well, and sleeping well...no fever, so I was like, maybe its the smoke from all the fires around us...
She is doing almost 100% better now though.

(¯'·.¸ ♥ мяs. gяiswoℓ∂ ♥¸.·'¯)

By the way, for future reference to mommies out there...
We rinse out her mouth with a little bit of plain water after her feeding, and then give her the antibiotics, and boil all her nipples and pacifiers once a day.

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