Thrush or Candidiasis

What is candidiasis or thrush?

Candidiasis (sometimes called moniliasis or a yeast infection) is an infection caused by yeast on the skin and mucous membranes. When the infection occurs in the mouth, it is called thrush. If an infant has thrush, there is a chance that the infant also has a yeast infection in the diaper area.

What causes thrush?

• antibiotics
  Antibiotics can cause yeast to grow, because the normal bacteria in tissues are killed off, letting the yeast grow unhampered.
  
  
• steroids
  Steroids may decrease the child's immune system and decrease the ability to fight normal infections.
  
  
• poor immune system
  If the infant has a poor immune system and an inability to fight infection from another chronic disease, he/she is at an increased risk for developing thrush.

What are the symptoms of candidiasis?

• in the mouth (thrush):
  
  
  • the tongue becomes white
    
    
  • white patches on the cheeks or throat (these white lesions do not scrape off easily)
    
    
• in the diaper area:
  
  
  • very red lesions with well-defined edges (lesions may be raised)
  • sores that have pus in them

Yeast infections in the diaper area usually have additional lesions away from the diaper area (i.e., on the stomach or thighs). A boy's scrotum may also be affected.

The symptoms of candidiasis may resemble other dermatologic conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How is candidiasis diagnosed?

Treatment for candidiasis:

Candidiasis is highly treatable with medicated ointments and other interventions. Treatment depends on the site of the infection. Specific treatment will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• in the mouth (thrush):
  
  
  • anti-fungal medication that is applied on the lesions in the mouth
    
    
  • oral anti-fungal medication

  A mother that is breastfeeding may also need to be treated if she has a fungal infection on her breasts. This will help decrease the chance of re-infecting the infant.

• in the diaper area use an anti-fungal diaper cream

  Keep your child's diaper area clean and dry. Let your child's bottom be exposed to air for approximately 15 minutes, several times throughout the day.

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