Thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. A yeast called Candida causes thrush because babies’ immune systems are not yet strong enough to control the growth of the yeast.
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.
In most cases, doctors can diagnose thrush just by looking at the white patches and will prescribe an 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.
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.
- Dry your nipples and apply lanolin lotion after breast-feeding.
According to our Illness Policy, if your child shows symptoms, he/she will need care at home away from other children for 24 hours after being treated with doctor prescribed anti-fungal medication. Children will need a doctors note to return. Please call the school before returning to assure your child will not be turned away when you come to school.
If your child will be out for any reason, please call or email us by 10:00 a.m.
818-992-1942 • [email protected]
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