All cases of thrush in mothers and children should be treated, particularly if the child is breastfeeding. Failure to adequately treat thrush may result in the mother and child repeatedly infecting and reinfecting each other during breastfeeding.

Mild thrush can often be treated by simply wiping a child’s mouth with a clean, moist cloth. In some cases, massaging the mouth with plain yogurt containing live cultures can also rid the area of thrush. Mild cases of thrush may disappear within 24 to 48 hours of treatment.

Moderate to severe oral thrush is often treated with antifungal medications, which impede the growth of yeast. Infants are almost always treated with topical antifungals when medication is necessary. In some cases, symptoms may appear to get worse for a day or two before they improve. It can take three to five days after treatment begins before symptoms disappear.

To treat babies, parents may use a dropper to apply medication to a cotton swab that is then applied to the front and sides of the baby’s mouth several times a day. In addition, parents can help their children heal faster by preventing them from using pacifiers until the mouth heals. An antifungal cream may also be prescribed to treat any associated diaper rash. Treatments are typically given until 48 hours after the child’s symptoms disappear.

Mothers whose nipples become infected may use a special antifungal cream that treats the condition but remains safe for breastfeeding babies. Mothers may want to switch to short, frequent feedings until their nipples are less painful.  

In older children and adults, mild cases of thrush can generally be cured with antifungal lozenges or mouthwashes. More severe infections, however, typically require oral antifungal medication (in pill form), which should be taken anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. Several steps can be taken to make eating less painful while the child waits for a thrush infection to subside. These include:

• Eating easy-to-swallow foods such as gelatin, ice cream and custard
  
  
• Drinking cold liquids and eating flavored ice or frozen juices
  
  
• Using a straw to consume liquids
  
  
• Rinsing the mouth several times a day with warm saltwater

Individuals with severely compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV or AIDS, may require even stronger medications. Individuals with recurrent thrush infections may notice diminished effectiveness of antifungal medications over time and should consult their physician if this occurs.