Thrush is a common oral infection in infants. Affected infants will have patches of white coating inside the mouth. These white patches can be found on the inside of the cheeks, on the tongue, on the roof of the mouth, lips or gums. Usually these white patches of coating cannot be easily rubbed away. If you force to wipe them away, affected area may bleed or leave behind painful ulcers.
After feeding, you will see some milk residue in baby's mouth. This is very similar to those white patches that are associated with thrush infection. To differentiate the two, you can use wet swab to clean the area softly, if the white patches can be easily wipe away, that white patch is the milk residue. If it is difficult to wipe it away, or it leaves behind red wound after wiping, this would mean your baby is infected by the thrush.
Prevention is the best cure. You should make sure objects that your baby comes into contact with must be clean or disinfected, these objects include nipple, milk bottle, toys and towel. You also need to ensure that your own hands are clean when you touch your babies. Also, you may want your baby have some warm water every time after feeding, this can help to clean up the mouth.
When your child is infected with thrush infection, doctor will normally recommend the application of Nystatin to the affected area. Parents should consult doctor immediately if thrush condition does not improve.
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