How do i get rid of thrush

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health.

Email

ErrorEmail field is required

ErrorInclude a valid email address

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Thrush is an infection caused by a fungus called candida (CAN-did-ah). Candida is naturally present in the mouth and body and is usually harmless. But, if conditions are right, it can grow out of control and cause an infection.

• A candida infection in the mouth is called oral thrush; in the diaper area, a yeast diaper rash; in other places on or in the body, a yeast infection.
• Candida is the same fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections.
• Oral thrush is more common in infants and toddlers, but older children can get it too.
• Thrush is contagious (catching) and can be passed to others.

Risk Factors for Getting Thrush Are:

• Age – born early (premature) or younger than 6 months or low birth weight
• Getting it during birth from the parent who has an unknown vaginal yeast infection
• Breastfeeding with an untreated yeast infection of the breast
• Using human milk from a pump that has not been properly sterilized
• Sucking on a pacifier or bottle too often and for too long
• Using an inhaler for asthma without rinsing the mouth after use
• Recent history of child or nursing parent taking antibiotic medicine to treat a bacterial infection
• A weakened immune system

Signs and Symptoms

• Thrush in the mouth:
  • Can be on the tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, or inside of the cheeks.
  • Begins as tiny, flat, white, or creamy yellow spots. These spots come together and form cheesy patches that look like cottage cheese. The spots are often mistaken for milk patches. Sometimes it looks like a white coating.
  • Cannot be removed with a soft cloth or a cotton-tipped swab without causing bleeding.
  • May cause pain while sucking or swallowing. Your child may not drink or eat as much as usual.
• Yeast infections in the diaper area look like diaper rash. The skin can have:
  • Small or big red patches, be entirely bright red, or have raised edges or small bumps
  • Pimples that ooze pus
• A vaginal yeast infection can cause the skin to be red, itchy, and burn. Often, there is a creamy discharge from the vagina.

Treatment

• Thrush is easily treated with an antifungal medicine such as nystatin (Mycostatin®), fluconazole (Diflucan®), or itraconazole (Sporanox®). Your child may get these medicines as a syrup or a pill.
• Thrush usually clears up in 4 to 5 days. It is important to use all of the medicine for the length of time that is recommended.
• An antifungal cream is usually recommended for yeast infections in the diaper area, in the vagina, or other places on the skin. You can buy some of these medicines without a prescription.
• Avoid using any home remedies without asking your child’s health care provider first.

How to Give Oral Drops

• A liquid medicine comes with a dropper in the box. Use it to give the oral drops.
• You will put the drops directly in the mouth on the sores. The medicine needs to stay in the mouth for a while. It will not hurt your child to swallow it.
• Plan to give the drops right after you feed your baby.

Follow These Steps:

1. Wash your hands well.
2. For an infant or young child, place them on their back. Turn their head sideways so that the cheek with the white patches faces down toward the bed (Picture 1).
3. Gently open your child’s mouth and drop half of the medicine inside the cheek. Turn your child’s head the other way and repeat squirting the medicine inside the other cheek.
4. Using a cotton-tipped swab, spread the medicine inside the mouth over the white patches.
5. For an older child, have them swish the medicine in their mouth for 30 seconds and then swallow.
6. Wait 30 minutes before giving your child anything to eat or drink.

Other Advice for Oral Thrush

• Always wash your hands well before and after touching your child’s mouth or things that have touched their mouth. This is so you do not pass the infection to others.
• Be sure your child drinks plenty of liquids so that they do not get dehydrated (lose too much fluid).
• Sterilize baby bottle nipples after each use. Do this by placing the nipples in boiling water for 10 minutes. Let the nipples cool before using them.
• Limit breastfeeding and bottle feeding to 20 minutes. Sucking for a long time can increase irritation.
• If your baby uses a pacifier:
• Let them use it only when they cannot be calmed in any other way.
• Buy several extras that can be sterilized between uses. Sterilize pacifiers the same way as the bottle nipples.
• Do not put your child’s pacifier in your mouth or let other children do this.
• Do not share bottles, cups, or toys that your child has used with others.
• If you are breastfeeding:
• Clean each breast with water and air-dry after each feeding.
• If your breasts show any signs of infection, such as soreness or redness, call your health care provider. You may need to be treated at the same time.
• If using human breast milk from a pump, all pump parts need to be sterilized.

Treatment of a Yeast Rash

If your baby has a yeast diaper rash or yeast infection on the skin, the health care provider will prescribe a cream or recommend an over-the-counter one.

What is the fastest way to get rid of thrush?

How do you get rid of thrush on your own?

Does thrush go away on its own?

What will happen if thrush is left untreated?