THRUSH

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

Main Symptoms

• White, irregularly shaped patches in the mouth.
• Coats the inside cheeks or inner lips.
• Sometimes coats the tongue (if the only symptom is a uniformly white tongue, it's due to a milk diet, not thrush).
• Adherent to the mouth (cannot be washed away or wiped off easily like milk curds).
• Causes mild discomfort or no symptoms.
• The child is bottle-fed or breast-fed.

Cause

• Caused by a yeast (called Candida).

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• It doesn't look like thrush, see MOUTH ULCERS.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 7/2004

See Other Topics:

• Diaper Rash
• Mouth Ulcers (Canker Sores)

View Anatomic Index of Topics