Therapy | Oral thrush for the baby

Therapy

Mouth sores in babies are usually a harmless matter. Nevertheless, an adequate therapy should be initiated to alleviate the child’s symptoms and prevent systemic infection. For oral thrush, topical (local) therapy with antimycotic ointments, gels or solutions is usually sufficient.

These kill the fungus. These remedies for fungal diseases contain the active ingredients Clotrimazole, Nystatin or Ciclopirox. They are applied to the affected areas and should lead to healing within 8 – 10 days.

In case of systemic infestation, oral therapy with Fluconazole is initiated. If the fungus is resistant to this active ingredient, caspofungin or amphotericin B is used. If necessary, fever-reducing or pain-relieving drugs can be used in addition to the antimycotic therapy.

Care should be taken to ensure that the baby drinks enough fluids. However, camomile tea should not be used, as this can probably worsen the clinical picture. Good hygiene is also important.

Objects that the baby puts in its mouth, such as pacifiers, should always be cleaned sufficiently. It is recommended that nursing mothers apply an antimycotic ointment to the nipples to prevent oral thrush in the baby. Fungal infections are treated with so-called antimycotics.

These are drugs that are effective against fungi and can kill them. In the case of oral thrush that has not affected any internal organs, topical (local) therapy is usually sufficient. Parents usually receive a gel or solution from the doctor with which the affected areas can be rubbed.

These drugs include Clotrimazole, Ciclopirox or Nystatin.These are usually obtained in the form of ointments. If the baby also suffers from fever, he or she will also be given a fever-reducing medication. If it is a systemic infection that affects internal organs, such as the intestines, systemic therapy is initiated.

Typically, the drug Fluconazole is prescribed for this. If the fungus is resistant to this, caspofungin and in very severe cases Amphotericin B is used. These drugs are administered orally.

Parents can also dab the affected areas with diluted myrrh tincture until a doctor is consulted. This can alleviate the symptoms somewhat, but is no substitute for adequate therapy. There are some homeopathic remedies that are used for the treatment of the oral cavity in babies.

However, their benefit has not been scientifically proven and can in no way lead to a cure. Rather, the following homeopathic remedies should be seen as a kind of supportive measure for the medical therapy of the mouth organ.

  • Borax (sodium borate): This is a crystalline mineral.

    In homeopathy, it is administered orally as Borax D 6 for fungal infections. Typically, babies who take borax are described as restless. They refuse to drink and do not want to lie down.

    In addition, they always seek to be close to their mother. The baby’s tongue is white and sore.

  • Potassium chloratum: This homeopathic remedy is administered in the form of globules of potency D4, D6 or D12 three times a day and is also used for inflammation of the mucous membranes. Clear white deposits can be seen on the baby’s oral mucosa.
  • Mercurius solubilis D12: This product is used in children who typically show symptoms such as foetor ex ore (bad smelling breath), inflamed oral mucosa and severe drooling.