I am starting this topic for selfish reasons, but maybe others will benefit from it also. My 2-year old son has been home with me the last few days because he has been complaining of pain in his mouth. At first we thought it was because of new teeth that are coming in, but yesterday we noticed something unusual.
On the roof of his mouth, it had become milky white instead of the natural red color. On his tongue he had started developing what I can only describe as red lesions. My wife and I started scouring the web, and came up with something that seems similar to this. It is called 'Thrush'
Thrush is basically an infection of the mouth, similar to a yeast infection in women. It can affect those with lowered immune systems but also affects infants and toddlers. There are natural fungi that exist in the mouth, and when there is an imbalance between these fungi and the body's ability to keep them at bay, it can lead to an infection. The symptoms are pain in swallowing, and the 'cottage cheese' appearance in the mouth, including the roof of the mouth.
I am taking my son in to the doctor's office later today to find out for sure, but I figured I would see if anyone here has heard of or experienced this first-hand. Any suggestions or perspectives are appreciated. Here is a link to WebMD's description of Thrush.
https://www.webmd.com/content/article/66/79613.htm
I don't know too much about this sorry, but a little boy at the nursery I used to work at had this one time, and his Doctor prescribed a liquid for it.
They were also told to eat natural yogurt, as this is supposed to fight off the infection?
She was also told to sterilize her boys cups, bottles etc for the duration of treatment, and also for 2 weeks after, to save passing the infection on.
Sorry I can't help you further on this one, but hope your little boy is better soon.
Thanks DianeC. So your perception is that this is contagious? I haven't read of anything that would indicate it is, so the sterilization, etc surprises me. I do know there are both topical and oral medications for thrush, so the liquid prescription makes sense. It is possible he doesn't even have thrush and I'll know no more than I do know. Thanks for the well wishes!
Hi, from what this lady was told, it can be contagious, it can also be caused by having taken antibiotics.
I don't know if your son has taken antibiotics recently, but apparently the two are connected.
Hopefully someone else will be able to help you further than I can, and that you'll be able to get it sorted soon.
I have just had a quick look on the net for you, the website ---https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/oralthrush.htm may be of some use to you,
then if it doesn't come up with the search you want, enter in--
Oral thrush (fungal infection in the mouth) Reviewed by Dr John Pillinger, GP.
This should then come up with what you're looking for. (sorry, not very good on computers, there is probably an easier way, but I don't know it).
Wishing you both well.
My sister had terrible thrush in her mouth from being on antibiotics so much. It's not uncommon, particularly in children. The sterilization is so that he doesn't get reinfected from having the fungus on the surfaces of cups/bottles etc. Yes, it's similar to yeast infections, which also are more apt to occur with antibiotic treatment. Yes, eating yogurt -- plain yogurt, no sugar or fruit added -- will help to clear it up. But depending on how bad it is, and it sounds bad if there are lesions involved, you should probably see a doctor. Poor little guy!
I tried to made a search about the symptoms of your son and the negative result of the doctor's examination and I am kind of shocked because all the symptoms you're describing are leading to Thrush. Could it be that the doctor was wrong? As I said before, I think is best to get a second opinion. Just make sure you keep an eye on him because even though Thrush is not a serious issue on children, if it is not treated properly (through anti-fungal medication) it can expand to his throat and other areas. Keep us inform. Thanks.
Hi Malexander, I'm sorry your little boy still isn't well, and has had a bad night. I read your post just as I was going out to work, so I'm sorry I didn't have chance to reply then.
I agree also, that you could probably do with a second opinion, your Doctor doesn't seem to have helped you at all,which is really sad, as your little boy is still in pain.
I don't know what medication is available over the counter in the US, but if you can get hold of any liquid paracetamol, it will certainly calm down any pain, fever, etc, and will help him have a good nights sleep.
Over here we either use that for kids, (it's also known here as calpol) or medinol,but your pharmacy will probably be able to advise.
It's really hard on the whole family I know when you have a little one ill, and everybody's sleep has been disturbed.I can only advise that when that happens to us, one of us looks after the kids for a few hours the next day, whilst the other one gets a couple of hours sleep, and then the other one gets up and looks after the kids, so that at least we both have had a couple of hours sleep.
Hope your little man is feeling better soon.