Thrush in newborns: causes, symptoms and treatment

Almost every woman encounters at least once in her life with such an unpleasant phenomenon as thrush. However, this disease can appear at different ages. Sometimes it occurs even in newborns. Unlike adults, crumbs are much more difficult to tolerate any disease, and especially this one. After all, it is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, which the baby can not tell. Therefore, the baby cries, fits and gives other signals that Mom needs to recognize.

As a rule, thrush affects children under two months of age. At an older age, babies become less susceptible to this type of infection. In fact, thrush in babies is a common fungal infection that is triggered by certain types of Candida Albikans fungus. For the health of a baby thrush is not dangerous. After infection, the symptoms go away in two weeks, even if they are not treated. But if you do not treat a thrush in a newborn, then it does not have the best effect on the immune system of crumbs, which is still very weak. Also, with the milkmaid, the baby refuses to eat, which also has a very bad effect on health.

The causes of thrush in children

Infants thrush can occur for various reasons.

Infection during the generic process

If the pregnant wife was sick with thrush and did not treat her, during birth the baby may become infected with the fungus when passing through the birth canal. This is the most common variant of infection. Therefore, a pregnant woman should always monitor her health and regularly visit a gynecologist. The first symptoms of the baby appear only a few days after birth.

Treatment with antibiotics

Unfortunately, fewer and fewer babies are born completely healthy. Therefore, sometimes doctors have to prescribe antibiotic treatment, which is very harmful. However, there are times when you can not do without them. And antibacterial drugs very often provoke the development of thrush not only in children, but also in adults. Therefore, the future and nursing mother should remember this. If you are prescribed antibiotics, then you can develop thrush, which can infect the baby.

Immune system

Another reason for the appearance of thrush in newborns is an immature immune system. Immunity in crumbs at birth is very weak and it is not able to cope with yeast infection on its own. A very small amount of fungus is enough to kill the baby.

Poor hygiene of

Hygiene rules must be observed very carefully. It is necessary to constantly monitor the hygiene of the oral cavity of the crumbs, even though it does not have teeth. The plaque from the milk he has left on the gums, which can provoke the growth of bacteria. In addition, it is very important to monitor the hygiene of the nipples, bottles and the like.

Symptoms of thrush in newborns

Most often, newborns have no serious symptoms of thrush, except white plaque in the oral cavity. If you look at the baby's mouth, then on the mucous cheeks, tongue, palate and gums will be visible white coating, which is a bit like white foam. However, it will not be erased. If you do, then there will be red spots under the patch, as well as inflamed areas that can bleed. Of course, thrush yields a lot of discomfort to the baby, so the baby will show other symptoms by his behavior: fuss, anxiety, crying, refusal to feed.

If the thrush is not treated, then there will be pain. As a result of this, each feeding process will be very painful for the crumbs, and it can incorrectly suck the breast. Therefore, if, during feeding, the baby is anxious and crying, then carefully examine its oral cavity. If you find symptoms of thrush, contact a pediatrician as soon as possible. The easiest way to cure the disease at an early stage.

Treating thrush

There are times when the doctor does not prescribe any treatment. Most often this happens if the thrush does not bother the baby. In this case, you need to let the body cope on its own with this ailment. But in this case, the baby must be under strict medical control. And if suddenly there are signs of deterioration, then you should immediately begin treatment.

Sometimes it happens when thrush immediately manifests itself "in all its glory."As a result, the baby becomes very restless and refuses to feed. Here medical treatment is necessary. The pediatrician can prescribe the use of antifungal drugs, which will be selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism of the crumbs and taking into account its age. Such drugs must be applied to white spots inside the mouth of the baby. Also, the oral cavity needs to be treated after each feeding. After all, after feeding on the mucous remains of the milk mixture or milk, in which the fungi multiply reproduce.

What can not be done!

Very often parents think that instead of drug treatment it is better to resort to folk methods of treatment. However, in most cases such a decision leads to negative consequences. At best, nothing will happen and the thrush simply will not heal. In the worst - you can injure the mucous membranes of the mouth. Microtrauma can become infected, which will lead to complications and it will be difficult to cure it. It takes a lot of time and effort. In addition, the crumb will suffer from severe discomfort.

Do not try to erase the white coating. From this, nothing good will come out. To treat the oral cavity, never use bandages or gauze - they can damage the mucous membrane. To treat affected areas, use cotton buds or sterile cotton wool. In no case do not treat the mouth cavity soda solution. Do not try to independently prescribe to your baby treatment and do not choose yourself any medications, even tried by your friends.

Prevention of thrush

Thrush, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than cure. Therefore, follow simple advice, which will reduce the risk of infection.

Treatment of women

A future mother should monitor her health - this is the best prevention. If you have a thrush, then at least a month before the birth of her need to be cured. It is best to do this earlier to make sure that there is no disease.

Nipple hygiene

If you are breastfeeding, you need to monitor the hygiene of your nipples. After each feeding, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the nipples. However, do not use any detergents, only water. This will help eliminate the remnants of milk and child's saliva, which means that it will deprive the fungal infection of the nutrient medium. By the way, before feeding it is also recommended to wash the nipples.

Nipples and bottles

Behind the nipples and bottles of the baby should also be carefully monitored. In the first few months after the birth of crumbs, they need not only be thoroughly washed, but also sterilized. While the immune system of the crumb does not get stronger and can not cope with the infection on its own, you will have to monitor the hygiene of all items that fall into the baby's mouth. By the way, such precautions will protect your baby not only from thrush, but also from many other diseases, including from intestinal disorders, which most often arise due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.