The goal of treatment is to control the growth of Candida. Antifungal medications (such as nystatin, clotrimazole, and miconazole) are given for 5 to 10 days. They are administered in the mouth (swallowing the medicine after "swishing" it around).

A single-dose oral medicine called Diflucan is available if these treatments do not work. Underlying conditions/disorders should be identified and treated.

For infants, oral thrush may be painful, but is rarely serious. It can interfere with eating because of the discomfort. The infection is usually controlled with treatment, but it may recur. Thrush may spread to the palate, tongue, cheeks, or throat. Other spread of the infection is uncommon, but it may occur.

For adolescents and adults, the significance of thrush is dependent on the underlying disorder.

• Insufficient nutrition
• Esophagitis Candida
• Spread of Candida to the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, skin, or other area

Infants: If your infant has thrush, a period of watchful waiting may be appropriate, since uncomplicated thrush is frequently self-limiting. If the condition does not resolve in 2 weeks, call for an appointment with your health care provider.

Adolescents and adults: If you think you have oral thrush, call for an appointment with your health care provider. If you are being treated for thrush and symptoms worsen or persist despite treatment, symptoms recur, or new symptoms develop, call your physician.