🍄 Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)
Thrush is a common fungal infection of the mouth caused by Candida species, most often Candida albicans. It results in white patches on the mucous membranes of the mouth.
🧬 Causes/Risk Factors:
- Overgrowth of Candida yeast, normally present in small amounts in the mouth
- Risk factors include:
- Antibiotic or corticosteroid use
- Weakened immune system (HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes)
- Dentures, especially if not cleaned properly
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Infants and elderly people
- Smoking
🩺 Symptoms:
- Creamy white, slightly raised patches on tongue, inner cheeks, roof of mouth, gums, tonsils
- Patches can often be wiped off, sometimes leaving red, raw areas underneath
- Burning sensation or soreness
- Difficulty swallowing or tasting food
🔍 Diagnosis:
- Usually clinical based on appearance
- Confirmed by scraping patches for microscopic exam or culture if uncertain
💊 Treatment:
- Antifungal medications:
- Topical: Nystatin suspension, clotrimazole troches
- Systemic: Fluconazole tablets for severe cases
- Improve oral hygiene
- Address underlying causes (e.g., adjust medications, clean dentures)
- For denture wearers: remove dentures at night and clean thoroughly
⚠️ Complications:
- If untreated, can spread to throat and esophagus (especially in immunocompromised)
- Recurrent infections may indicate underlying immune issues