Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth caused by the Candida albicans fungus. Sounds scary, right? You probably know it by its more common, less scary name – a yeast infection. Since thrush loves to take up residence in the mouths of infants, we’d like to arm you with some knowledge to prevent it from ever arriving. Let’s start with something that might surprise you. Did you know one of the most common transmission methods occurs during feeding time?
Unfortunately, it’s true. Whether bottle or breast-feeding, because Candida albicans thrives on milk, the method of delivery doesn’t really matter much. Either way, your child could end up with oral thrush. What’s even more unfortunate is that because a baby’s immune system is still developing, and women often wrestle with yeast infections themselves, a back and forth cycle of transmission often occurs. It’s for this reason doctors typically recommend treating both the mother and the child if one of them exhibits symptoms of a yeast infection. Let’s examine a few ways to stay ahead of this childhood nuisance.
So, as you can see, with a few simple tips and general awareness of how thrush develops, it can be rather easy to avoid. When it comes to treating thrush, you’ll want to speak with your doctor first. While you’ll find a wealth of information online about home remedies that might appear to be worth trying, nothing can take the place of a professional recommendation by a knowledgeable doctor, so consult with your doctor first prior to any at-home medicating.
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