Fungus in the Baby's Mouth, These are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Oral thrush

Fungus in the baby's mouth (oral thrush) is characterized by white spots that are difficult to remove on the baby's tongue. The causes of this condition are very diverse and need to be addressed because they can make babies fussy and reluctant to breastfeed.

Fungus in the Baby's Mouth, These are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Fungus in the baby's mouth arises due to excessive growth of the Candida albicans fungus in the baby's mouth. Excessive fungal growth can actually also occur in children and adults. However, babies under 6 months are more susceptible to it.

Causes of Fungus in Babies' Mouths

Candida albicans fungus is actually normally found in the human mouth. However, there are several things that can trigger excessive growth of this fungus in babies, including:

1. Weak immune system

The immune system of newborns or those under 6 months is still not fully developed. This makes the body unable to fight infections well, making it susceptible to oral fungal infections.

In addition, malnutrition in babies and children means fungal infections can attack easily. The baby's body becomes vulnerable to infection as a result of a lack of nutrition to build immunity and restore body cells.

2. Take antibiotics

The growth of fungus in a baby's mouth can become uncontrollable when your little one takes antibiotics because he suffers from certain medical conditions, such as whooping cough or urinary tract infections. Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of fungi in the mouth, thereby triggering oral thrush.

3. Use a pacifier that is not kept clean

Babies who consume formula milk or breast milk using bottles are susceptible to oral fungal infections if the pacifier used is not kept clean or is contaminated with fungus.

However, babies who are given breast milk directly can also develop fungal infections. This can happen if he suckles on a nipple that has been infected with the fungus Candida albicans.

4. Infected at birth

Newborn babies can be infected and get fungal infections in their mouths when they are born. Although this rarely happens, the baby has a chance of developing this condition if it is born to a mother who has a history of vaginal yeast infections during normal delivery.

Symptoms of Fungal Infection in the Baby's Mouth

Mothers can find out whether there is a fungal infection in the baby's mouth from the various symptoms that appear in your little one. The following are some of the symptoms that usually appear:

The baby's tongue is white or has white spots that are difficult to remove even if you wipe it with a soft cloth or gauze.

White patches can appear in various areas of the mouth, such as the inside of the cheeks, lips, gums and roof of the mouth

The corners of the baby's lips become inflamed or the skin appears cracked

The baby does not want to breastfeed or eat
The baby becomes fussy or cries often
Fever, this condition usually occurs when the fungal infection has spread further into the esophagus

How to Treat Fungus in a Baby's Mouth

Fungal infections in the baby's mouth will generally disappear by themselves in 1-2 weeks. However, mothers are advised to still take their little one to the doctor if they experience symptoms of a fungal infection. Especially if this condition has made him fussy and reluctant to breastfeed.

To treat fungal infections in a baby's mouth, doctors will generally prescribe antifungal medication, such as drops or gel containing nystatin or miconazole.

This medicine can be applied several times to the baby's tongue using a cotton bud. In order for the medicine to work well, you need to apply it regularly for 10 days or follow the doctor's recommendations.

Apart from antifungal medication, mothers can also use natural ingredients to treat fungus in the baby's mouth. However, this natural ingredient can only be used as a companion medicine. Mothers are also advised to consult a doctor first before giving it to their little one.

Natural ingredients that can be used as natural medicine to treat fungus in babies' mouths are:

Baking soda

Research shows that baking soda can help eradicate Candida fungus. Therefore, mothers can use this natural ingredient to treat fungus in the baby's mouth.

How to get the benefits of baking soda is quite easy. Mothers only need to mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Then, apply this liquid to the baby's tongue using a cotton bud.

Salt

Salt is antiseptic so it can help relieve the symptoms of fungal infections in the baby's mouth. Just like baking soda, getting the benefits of salt is also easy. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of water, then moisten a cotton bud with this water and apply it to the baby's tongue.

Coconut oil

The caprylic acid content in coconut oil can treat fungus in the baby's mouth. Therefore, mothers can apply coconut oil to their baby's white tongue.

However, before applying this oil to your little one's tongue, mothers must ensure that they do not have an allergy to coconut so that no allergic reaction occurs.

Yogurt

For babies who are already consuming MPASI or eating solid food, mothers can give them yogurt. Yogurt contains good bacteria which can eliminate excess fungus in the baby's mouth.

Fungal infections in babies' mouths are very common, especially in the first 2 years of your little one's age. This condition also doesn't need to be excessively worrying. However, fungus in the baby's mouth still needs to be treated because it can make your little one fussy and reluctant to breastfeed or eat.

Apart from treatment, several preventive measures also need to be taken to prevent the baby's mouth from becoming infected with fungus, such as:

Wash your hands every time you breastfeed your baby
Wash milk bottles and baby pacifiers well
Clean your nipples every time before or after breastfeeding your baby
Go to the doctor to get treatment if your nipples feel sore, itchy, or red

If fungal infections in your baby's mouth occur repeatedly, you should consult a doctor, especially if your little one is more than 9 months old. This needs to be done to find out the exact cause. The reason is, the presence of fungus in a baby's mouth can be a symptom of other health problems.

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