Therapy
The most common treatment of mouth sores is the intake of a so-called antimycotic prescribed by a doctor. This is a drug that either kills the fungi present or at least inhibits their growth or reproduction (this includes e.g. Nystatin, Amphotericin B, Fluconazole). Since the oral thrush is a spatially limited infestation with Candida albicans, it is usually sufficient to apply the antimycotic locally, so that lozenges, mouth rinsing solutions or direct sprinkling with a pipette are frequently used. If the oral thrush remains persistent despite correct drug application or if other mucous membranes (e.g. in the gastrointestinal tract) are also affected, systemic treatment with antifungal tablets may be considered.
Infection
Babies have an underdeveloped immune system at birth. This leads to an increased spread of the fungus by contact with Candida albicans up to 6 months of age. The ways of infection are versatile.
In healthy adults, the fungus can be found in certain parts of the body without being noticed there, as the immune system fights it to such an extent that it cannot spread. For example, some women have Candida albicans in their vagina without ever being affected by it. During birth, the newborn baby can become infected with this pathogen.
Since, as already described, the immune system of a newborn is not yet fully functional, this often leads to oral thrush in the mouth and throat area. The mother’s nipple is also a possible source of infection for the infant, as the pathogens can also settle there. During breastfeeding, the pathogens are then absorbed by the mother’s nipple in the baby’s mouth.
Itchy, scaly or possibly shiny red nipples are often a sign of a candida infection of the nipple. It is also possible that the pathogen is unnoticeably present in the mouth of the adult. If, for example, a parent puts a dropped pacifier in the mouth to clean it, the pathogen can spread in the baby’s mouth.
Another common cause of oral thrush in babies is poor hygiene. Toys, teething rings or other objects placed in the baby’s mouth can carry Candida albicans on their surface if they have not been carefully cleaned. In most cases the infection is harmless.
In babies, as in adults, the oral thrush manifests itself with a characteristic white coating on the mucous membrane of the mouth and tongue. In addition, oral thrush can lead to a weakness in the baby’s drinking or cause a slight fever. For these reasons, a pediatrician should be consulted if there is any suspicion.
The treatment of the baby with oral thrush is simple, but it can take 3 weeks until the infection has subsided completely. To avoid the infection in advance, there are some simple rules of conduct. For example, it is advisable to replace any pacifiers that have fallen down and, in general, to thoroughly clean or sterilize things that the baby puts in its mouth regularly. It is also advisable to fight an existing infection in the mother’s vagina before a birth to avoid infection during birth.
