Oral thrush is also known as yeast infection; this is a fungal infection related to any of the Candida species.  Said infection thrives inside the mouth’s warmest temperature, and this is the same area that is always wet.  With proper diet and medication, oral thrush is curable. Most babies and the elderly are the ones susceptible to this.

We all know that diet is a big contributing factor in helping our bodies to function well, this includes strengthening our defense mechanism against illnesses and it keeps the overgrowth of yeast. Aside from diet, the following factors can also influence yeast’s overgrowth:

•    Dental plates
•    Antibiotics
•    Pregnancy
•    Contraceptive pills
•    Endocrine conditions
•    Chemotherapy
•    Iron deficiency
•    Skin diseases

To diagnose properly oral thrush, scrapings and skin swabs are needed. This procedure invades the tissues that cause a white transparent substance; this actually covers the tongue, the mouth’s roof, inside the lips or the throat. Sometimes, it can look like a yellow coating, although white is its common color.

Cravings for bread, sugar and alcohol can be traced back to yeast. While babies are not able to tell you verbally about their cravings, there are some indications that show oral thrush infection.

There are two other symptoms; these are fatigue and digestion problems. However, both can be indications of other type of illnesses as well. Rashes may also accompany yeast infection. Some may appear as red and shedding patches on the tongue or palate; while there are others that look like a discolored tissue; and on the corner of the mouth some red cracks may appear.

Do not be surprised if babies are especially irritable and uncomfortable when they have one, this is highly attributed to fact that they feel a burning sensation in the inside of their mouths. Oral thrush causes great discomfort for breast feeding babies.

Most babies suffer from yeast infection that was transferred to them at birth. While some babies acquires one when the mother is a carrier of Candida infection. This happen through breast-feeding (i.e. one with infected nursing nipples, Candida infected breast/inside the breast).

On the other hand, family members or a house pet can also pass on a Candida infection. But then again, there is a greater possibility of contracting one through the mother (who is constantly with the child). Both mother and child need to be checked and treated for Candida infection. If the mother is treated and yet the child is not (or vise versa), then there is a tendency of the said infection to be passed on repeatedly.  Bear in mind that the more the infection recurs, the harder it is to treat.

Added to this, babies may potentially lose their appetite for food if they continuously suffer from uncomfortable thrush.  This greatly stops them from swallowing with ease.  If this is left alone and untreated, the child could potentially suffer from other illnesses because of their unhealthy and unhappy state.  If you start to notice that the tongue of your child is covered with a milky white substance or other area inside your child’s mouth, and that even thorough cleaning is not helping at all, be sure to check with your pediatrician for a possible Candida infection or thrush. Remember, a happy and healthy baby only means a happier mother.

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Filed under: Yeast Infection Topics

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