Cod is a fungal infection that causes the baby to have a whitish membrane in the mouth. Sometimes the child may have difficulty eating. Cod usually goes by itself.
Mushrooms are naturally found in the baby’s mouth. Sometimes more fungi are formed, and then the child may have trouble. The fact that more fungi are formed may be due, for example, to the baby being vomited or the child having eaten antibiotics.
If you breastfeed, the fungus can spread to your breasts.
Cod is most common in children younger than one year.
Symptoms of cod in the mouth
When children get cod in the mouth, a whitish membrane or whitish spots appear. It usually appears on the tongue, on the inside of the lips and cheeks, or in the palate. Sometimes it appears in all these places, sometimes in one or more.
Sometimes the child does not want to eat because it is uncomfortable.
Sometimes the infection can spread through the intestines and cause the child to get a fungal infection in the skin of the tail. The skin then becomes red and irritated.
So can you
It is not dangerous for children to have cod in the mouth, and you usually do not need to seek care. For the most part, cod disappears by itself without treatment.
If the child uses pacifiers or bite-sized toys, they should be cooked daily as they can otherwise spread infection. The same applies if you use a baby bottle or breastfeeding button. See the care instructions for the products.
Some think it helps treat cod by brushing the baby’s tongue with mineral water containing sodium bicarbonate, such as soda or Vichy water. There is no research to show that it gives effect, but it is harmless to try.
If you are breast-feeding
Wash the nipples and the wards to reduce the risk of getting infected. It is also good to air the breasts. Here you can read more about fungal infection in the breasts while breastfeeding.
When and where should I seek care?
Contact the child care center, bvc, if the cod does not go over.
Seek care at bvc or at a health care center if your child has had skin problems on the tail.
Seek care if you have a fungal infection in your chest. Both the child and you may need to be treated with prescription fungal medicine so that you do not continue to infect each other. The treatment for the child is usually a medicine that you brush in the child’s mouth.
You should understand the information
In order for you to be involved in care and treatment, it is important that you understand the information you receive from the healthcare staff. Ask questions if you don’t understand. For example, you should receive information about treatment options.