A small amount of the Candida fungus resides in the mouth most of the time and are normally kept in check by other bacteria and microorganisms in the body. However, certain illnesses, stress, or medications disturb the balance, causing a thrush infection. Thrush symptoms in children develop suddenly and persist for a long time.
White Lesions
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, thrush appears as whitish, velvety-lesions in the mouth and on the tongue. The creamy-white lesions also occur on the inner cheeks and sometimes on the child's gums and tonsils. The lesions appear as cottage cheese-like and are painful, bleeding slightly if they are rubbed or scraped. The lesions slowly increase in number and size and can't be wiped away.
Loss of Taste
Thrush infections usually develop in illnesses or medical situations that cause dry mouth conditions, as stated by the Cleveland Clinic. A child with thrush experiences a cottony-feeling in the mouth and often a loss of taste.
Mouth Sores
Children with oral thrush develop cracked skin in the corners of the mouth or whitish patches on the lips, states KidsHealth.org.
Difficulty Swallowing
In severe cases of thrush, the lesions may spread into the child's esophagus, causing problems, warns the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms of thrush that has spread into the esophagus include difficulty swallowing and the feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or mid-chest area while consuming a meal.
Painful Swallowing
Because of the pain associated with thrush, children with the infection may not eat, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. The sores in the mouth causes a child pain when eating or painful swallowing--considering the infection had spread downward into the esophagus.
