OTC Suggestion

Updated on October 14, 2008
A.G. asks from Savannah, GA
18 answers

I was wondering if anyone knew of an OTC remedy for thrush of the tongue for my 9 month old daughter? I have never experienced thrush before. It does not seem to be bothering her yet, but I know that it can get worse.

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So What Happened?

I want to thank you both so much for the advice. I am headed to GNC today to check it out. I will let you know what happens!

Featured Answers

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K.H.

answers from Miami on

I have used Gentian Violet and Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil. The coconut oil worked better than the Gentian Violet for us.

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D.M.

answers from Orlando on

Ginsing Violet. My daughter had horrible thrush and nothing cleared it up - not even RX. Lactation consultant at hospital told me to dot his. Hope this helps.

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P.E.

answers from Panama City on

Check the web or call the health department

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A.R.

answers from Boca Raton on

Gentian Violet, & it's natural. Good luck!

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M.M.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

A simple home remedy for thrush that works wonders is to mix one tablespoon of vinegar with two tablespoons of water. Then, take a WHITE cloth and wrap around one of your fingers. Next, dip your finger in the vinegar solution and swab the baby's tongue. Be sure to swab the least affected areas first.

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S.T.

answers from Orlando on

My friends son had it 2 times as an infant. Both times he had to be put on an antibiotic. This is a very painful thing for a child & I beleive seeing the doctor & getting a medication will be the best. Thrush doesn't just infect the tongue. When thrush is in the mouth, it also goes down the throat & effects a childs swallowing. She may not act like it is bothering her too much, but from what I know, it is painful even if they are not showing signs of pain. Hope that helps.

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M.H.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

Hi A.,

Thrush is simply a yeast infection. Just like a woman's vaginal infection, it is an outward sign of what is going on in the body. Go to the health food store and get a probiotic. That should clear it up soon and at the source, not just the visible tongue. (Yogurt doesn't have enough acidophilis in it to help and the sugar also makes it worse. Yogurt can prevent it though once it's gone.)

Make sure she has no sugar because that's what feeds it and keeps it alive. Once it's gone completely in a few months you can reintroduce sugar slowly if you want to. The less sugar in the diet, the less likelihood of it happening again.

God bless!

M.

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M.H.

answers from Melbourne on

The remedy is simple!! Probiotics--acidophilus--yogurt, kefir. Can be purchased in capsules also--open and add to milk, cereal, etc. If you are nursing take it also so it will go to baby thru your milk. Continue for a long time and you and baby will be healthier! The probiotics crowd out the bad bacteria in the intestines

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M.H.

answers from Gainesville on

Thrush is a yeast (fungal) infection and needs to be treated with an anti-fugal, like Nystatin, not an antibiotic. I have also heard that gentian violet works. If you do not see an improvement within a day or two using the gentian violet, then I would take her to the doctor for a definitive diagnosis and a prescription if necessary.

I would also suggest you call your pediatrician and ask to speak to the nurse and get some advice over the phone. They can't charge you for that. They may have a recommendation you could try to see if it gets better without having to bring her in first. Or, maybe they can even call-in a prescription for you without having to bring her in for an appointment. It can't hurt to ask.

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B.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

I had 2 kids with thrush. It is actly painful. YOu wipe it with a paper towel and get the white stuff off. if you are nursing be careful. I got an infection from my last child and my breast would tear everywhere. it was so painful to nurse for over 2 weeks. If the wiping doesn't help then there is so medicine you get and wipe on the areas with thrush. i had to do this with my last child. Good luck

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M.C.

answers from Miami on

Thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth so Yogurt would be my first guess but I would check with a dr first, don't know if its too much dairy on a 9 month old's stomach, also there is a product called ThreeLac which I heard is given to infants born with Thrush. Its a powerdery substance with a lemony flavor. You can probably disolve it in a drink. You can google it and research it further as I don't think you will find it it any store, you would have to order online.

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C.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

I have heard that gentian violet is very effective. It is a purple medication that you can get at stores like GNC or other health food stores, you just "paint" the inside of their mouths with this stuff and if you are breast feeding, you want to treat your nipples too. they (baby and you) will be purple in those areas for awhile, but it works.

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A.N.

answers from Jacksonville on

gentian violet. it works miracles. you cannot get it everywhere. try pharmacies and health food stores. it will work better and faster than anything prescribed.

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C.B.

answers from Boca Raton on

I have to second the person who said Gentian Violet. I know many people who it has helped. As soon as you do get insurance get the nystatin?
Make sure you treat you and the baby. It gets passed back and forth.
Also, keep your breasts dry and don't use plastic backed nursing pads. They are know to promote yeast.
If you can let them air dry and open to the air it will help.

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

Are you absolutely certain that it is thrush? Thrush can be transferred from you to baby if you are breastfeeding. So, if you are sure it's thrush, then you need to be treated as well. Thrush is contagious.

I have heard that gentian violet works fast. I've also heard that it permanetly stains anything it touches purple. But, it's supposed to work better than anything else. You swab inside the baby's mouth and any other areas that are affected. I think you can get gentian violet at health food stores. I'm sorry I don't know more about it. I have never had issues with thrush.

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A.G.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

I have used gentian violet before with great results. I called my local Walgreens pharmacy and they happened to have a bottle on the shelf. It does stain so be prepared. Apply to your nipples and the inside of baby's mouth. Both of you will have purple stains on you. I usually applied at night. By your 3rd night you both should be getting better. Search the net and read up on it, but I do highly recommend it. Much quicker then going to the doctor and putting baby on unneccesary antibiotics.

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T.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

If it is thrush nothing over the counter will work. Thrush is yeast overgrowth. You need to call the doctor and get Nistantin. it is a anti-fungal med. that you can put in her tongue or they have a liguid she takes. it can be painful and interfere will eating so don't delay. both my girls had it as newborns. it is common while bf.

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L.N.

answers from Gainesville on

Avoid sugar! Put plain yogurt on that baby's tongue. Also, a little yogurt every day helps prevent thrush.

L. D.
mom of three

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