Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns/SymptomsRisksCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs/Symptoms
Risks
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not dangerous and doesn’t always need to be treated. A healthcare provider can prescribe an anti-fungal medication to help clear up a more severe case.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022.
Signs and Symptoms of Thrush in Babies
Thrush in babies usually appears as white, velvety patches on the tongue and inner cheeks that may bleed when wiped.
It may also cause:
Thrush in babies doesn’t always appear just in the mouth, however. It can also affect the following areas:
Thrush in babies can be a nuisance, but it is not a serious condition.
However, since its symptoms can cause babies to refuse to eat, it may lead to dehydration.
See a healthcare provider about oral thrush in babies if:
Causes of Thrush in Babies
Candida albicansis the yeast responsible for thrush in babies. Antibiotic use is the most common reason why this yeast, which is normally present on the body without causing problems, can grow out of control and cause an infection.
Antibiotic Use
As antibiotics kill off harmful bacteria, they kill off healthy bacteria along with it. Thus, the good bacteria that normally keep yeast in check die off, allowing thrush to grow.
Frequent signs of a yeast infection of the nipples include nipple skin that is darker in color, cracked, and/or sore, as well as pain with breastfeeding.
Childbirth
Though less common, thrush in babies can also occur during vaginal childbirth.
Causes and Risk Factors of Thrush
Occasionally, your healthcare provider may recommend scraping off a sample of the white patch for lab testing.
Most cases of thrush in babies resolve within two weeks of starting treatment.
Why Thrush Isn’t Going Away
Preventing Thrush in Babies
Taking a regular probiotic may help prevent thrush and other types of yeast infections. Probiotics help support the good bacteria, which keep yeast growth under control.
Talk with your pediatrician before beginning a supplement regimen for your infant. If you are breastfeeding, hold off on starting any natural remedies until you’ve talked with your healthcare provider.
Aside from that, these strategies can help you reduce the risk of infection:
Summary
Identify and Treat a Yeast Diaper Rash at Home
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seattle Children’s.Thrush.American Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and otherCandidainfections.MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.Mount Sinai.Thrush in babies.Matsubara VH, Bandara HM, Mayer MP, Samaranayake LP.Probiotics as antifungals in mucosal candidiasis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(9):1143-53. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw038Additional ReadingKidsHealth.Oral thrush (for parents).Lyu X, Zhao C, Yan ZM, Hua H.Efficacy of nystatin for the treatment of oral candidiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016 Mar 16;10:1161-71. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S100795Pankhurst CL.Candidiasis (oropharyngeal).BMJ Clin Evid.2013 Nov 8;2013:1304.Vainionpää A, Tuomi J, Kantola S, Anttonen V.Neonatal thrush of newborns: oral candidiasis?Clin Exp Dent Res. 2019;5(5):580-582. doi:10.1002/cre2.213
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seattle Children’s.Thrush.American Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and otherCandidainfections.MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.Mount Sinai.Thrush in babies.Matsubara VH, Bandara HM, Mayer MP, Samaranayake LP.Probiotics as antifungals in mucosal candidiasis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(9):1143-53. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw038Additional ReadingKidsHealth.Oral thrush (for parents).Lyu X, Zhao C, Yan ZM, Hua H.Efficacy of nystatin for the treatment of oral candidiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016 Mar 16;10:1161-71. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S100795Pankhurst CL.Candidiasis (oropharyngeal).BMJ Clin Evid.2013 Nov 8;2013:1304.Vainionpää A, Tuomi J, Kantola S, Anttonen V.Neonatal thrush of newborns: oral candidiasis?Clin Exp Dent Res. 2019;5(5):580-582. doi:10.1002/cre2.213
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Seattle Children’s.Thrush.American Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and otherCandidainfections.MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.Mount Sinai.Thrush in babies.Matsubara VH, Bandara HM, Mayer MP, Samaranayake LP.Probiotics as antifungals in mucosal candidiasis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(9):1143-53. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw038
Seattle Children’s.Thrush.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Thrush and otherCandidainfections.
MedlinePlus.Thrush in newborns.
Mount Sinai.Thrush in babies.
Matsubara VH, Bandara HM, Mayer MP, Samaranayake LP.Probiotics as antifungals in mucosal candidiasis.Clin Infect Dis. 2016;62(9):1143-53. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw038
KidsHealth.Oral thrush (for parents).Lyu X, Zhao C, Yan ZM, Hua H.Efficacy of nystatin for the treatment of oral candidiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016 Mar 16;10:1161-71. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S100795Pankhurst CL.Candidiasis (oropharyngeal).BMJ Clin Evid.2013 Nov 8;2013:1304.Vainionpää A, Tuomi J, Kantola S, Anttonen V.Neonatal thrush of newborns: oral candidiasis?Clin Exp Dent Res. 2019;5(5):580-582. doi:10.1002/cre2.213
KidsHealth.Oral thrush (for parents).
Lyu X, Zhao C, Yan ZM, Hua H.Efficacy of nystatin for the treatment of oral candidiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016 Mar 16;10:1161-71. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S100795
Pankhurst CL.Candidiasis (oropharyngeal).BMJ Clin Evid.2013 Nov 8;2013:1304.
Vainionpää A, Tuomi J, Kantola S, Anttonen V.Neonatal thrush of newborns: oral candidiasis?Clin Exp Dent Res. 2019;5(5):580-582. doi:10.1002/cre2.213
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
