How does toddler get thrush

We all have this yeast in our bodies, and our immune systems keep it in balance with the other bacteria and funguses that live in our bodies.

If the balance is upset, the yeast can multiply and produce an infection. This is because the vagina often has small amounts of candida naturally. Babies might also develop oral thrush if they suck on objects already infected with thrush, like nipples, teats or dummies. Oral thrush is very common in the first two years of life. If your child has oral thrush, you might notice that they have white spots and patches that look like cottage cheese on their tongue, inner cheeks, lips, gums or roof of their mouth.

If the patches are removed, they leave inflamed areas that can bleed. A child with oral thrush might also have cracking and inflammation at the corners of their mouth. They might not be able to taste things as well as usual. But it might cause irritation if the areas get very inflamed. In this case, your child might not want to feed or eat. They might also drool. But in babies it can overgrow and lead to an infection. This is because a baby's immune system has not developed enough.

An overgrowth of yeast can also can happen if your child has been on antibiotics. This is because antibiotics can kill "good" bacteria that keep candida from growing. If your baby needs treatment, the GP can prescribe a liquid antifungal medication. This will kill the fungus in your baby's mouth. If the infection has not cleared after 7 days, go back to your GP.

They may continue treatment for a further 7 days. Or they may prescribe another antifungal medicine. It causes irritation in and around a baby's mouth. Oral thrush also called oral candidiasis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies younger than 6 months old and in older adults. A baby with oral thrush might have cracked skin in the corners of the mouth or white patches on the lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks that look a little like cottage cheese but can't be wiped away.

Some babies may not feed well or are uncomfortable when sucking because their mouth feels sore, but many babies don't feel any pain or discomfort. Oral thrush is caused by the overgrowth of a yeast a type of fungus called Candida albicans.

Most people including infants naturally have Candida in their mouths and digestive tracts, which is considered normal growth.

Usually, a healthy immune system and some "good" bacteria control t he amount of this fungus in the body. But if the immune system is weakened from an illness or medicines like chemotherapy or not fully developed as in babies , Candida in the digestive tract can overgrow and lead to an infection.

Candida overgrowth also causes diaper rash and vaginal yeast infections. Babies can have oral thrush and a diaper rash at the same time.