Oral Thrush Symptoms

Oral Thrush, also known as candidiasis of the mouth or oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), is a fungal infection that often results in white patches on the tongue, cheeks and the lining of the mouth. The condition can affect anyone, but it is most often associated with infants and people who use certain medications or have weakened immune systems.

The Facts

• Oral thrush is caused by accumulation of the fungus Candida albicans, which is found normally on mucous membranes and skin. OPC occurs when an imbalance between "good" and "bad" microorganisms in the mouth and throat leads to overproduction of the Candida fungus.

Identification

• Oral thrush usually causes lesions on the tongue and cheeks, identified by creamy white patches resembling cottage cheese (as in the picture above). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the lesions are often painless, but can be accompanied by redness and soreness. In some cases cracking at the corners of the mouth can occur. Loss of taste and a "cottony" feeling in the mouth are also symptoms of oral thrush.

Types of OPC

• OPC is most often evident in the lining of the mouth, but can spread to the esophagus. Symptoms of Candida esophagitis include throat pain and difficulty swallowing.

  Infants can pass OPC to their mothers during breastfeeding, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms for the mother in these cases include sensitive nipples, flaky skin on and around the areola or intense pain in the breasts between feedings. The infants can also become irritable and have trouble feeding. The OPC may continue to pass from the mother to the baby and vice versa until it is treated.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Oral thrush is caused by an imbalance of microorganisms in the body. While healthy individuals can normally defend against the invasive microbes leading to OPC, certain illnesses can weaken these defenses. HIV/AIDS, diabetes, anemia and yeast infections cause people to become more susceptible to OPS. The condition is also more likely in cancer patients as a side effect of chemotherapy, corticosteroid treatment, antibiotic therapy and radiation.

  Oral Thrush is also more common among teething babies, people who wear dentures, tobacco users and people taking antibiotics.

Prevention and Treatment

• The Mayo Clinic recommends the following practices to help prevent oral thrush:

  - Rinse your mouth often, especially after using a corticosteroid inhaler.
  - Eat yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus or bifidobacterium.
  - While taking antibiotics, take acidophilus capsules also.
  - Treat vaginal yeast infections immediately, especially if you are pregnant.
  - Visit your dentist's office regularly and brush and floss your teeth.
  - Limit the amount of yeast-containing foods and sugars you eat.

  Several antifungal drugs are available to treat OPC, including clotrimazole, fluconazole, and nystatin. These treatments are most often available as lozenges or suspension "swish and swallow" prescriptions.