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Medical Author:

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Oral thrush is characterized by a thick, white coating of the tongue, inner cheeks (buccal mucosa), inner lip region, or gums (gingiva). This coating may be differentiated from the very common off-white discoloration of the tongue associated with infant formula debris by several means: (1) an oral Candida infection is a very bright white color -- milk debris is an off-white color; (2) oral Candida infections may also involve the buccal surface, inner lip area, and gingiva while milk debris is limited to the tongue; and (3) oral Candida is rather adherent to an involved skin surface while milk debris may more easily be wiped off with a damp facecloth. Neither thrush nor milk debris cause discomfort or other symptoms when limited to the oral cavity. Maternal nipple/areola Candida infection commonly causes redness and tenderness of the involved area. The rash associated with Candida diaper dermatitis is generally not as bothersome as the more common diaper rash associated with irritation from excessive stool and urine contact with the infant's skin.

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