In oral candidiasis, normal mouth yeast overgrows, causing white, slightly elevated lesions. The overgrowth of yeast (candida) in this infant's mouth has caused cracking of the lips. The white lesions on the tongue are typical of candidiasis.
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Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)  A parent's guide for infants and babies

Picture of Thrush (Oral Candidiasis): In oral candidiasis, normal mouth yeast overgrows, causing white, slightly elevated lesions. Divider line
In oral candidiasis, normal mouth yeast overgrows, causing white, slightly elevated lesions.
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Treatments Your Provider May Prescribe
Your doctor will instruct you on how to keep your child's oral cavity very clean, and treatments will center on killing the overgrown yeast with anti-fungal medications:
  • Nystatin – This medicine must touch the yeast in order to kill it. Nystatin comes in a suspension or liquid, and also in a lozenge, called a troche. Have your child swish the suspension around the mouth and then swallow it. The lozenge dissolves in the mouth. Use the suspension and/or lozenges several times a day until the lesions are completely gone.
  • Amphotericin B suspension – Swish the suspension around in the mouth and swallow it several times a day until the lesions heal completely.
  • Clotrimazole lozenge – Let the lozenge dissolved in the mouth several times a day until the lesions have healed completely.
  • Fluconazole pill or suspension – Swallow this medication once daily for 5–10 days.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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