Oral Candida Treatment

Oral candida, which is also known as oral thrush, is a condition that occurs when the fungus Candida albicans develops on the inside of the cheeks and the tongue. When too much fungus develops, painful white lesions may grow and even bleed. While the condition is very treatable, it can be of greater concern to those with lower immune systems, such as those with diabetes or the elderly. For this reason, thrush treatments vary based on the age and health of the affected person.

Babies or Nursing Mothers

• Oral Candida is a common occurrence in babies, who may come in contact with the fungus through the use of bottles, pacifiers or even breastfeeding. Even if the mother breastfeeds, it is best to treat the mother and baby separately so that one does not continuously affect the other.

  A mother should begin each feeding by ensuring the food delivery method has been soaked in a solution of water and vinegar, then air dried. This includes bottles, pacifiers, re-usable nipples for bottles and portions of a breast pump (if used).

  After disinfecting all items, a doctor should prescribe a mild antifungal medication for the baby and an antifungal cream for the breasts, if a mother breastfeeds. Remember, if a baby is more prone to thrush, it is a good idea to continue to disinfect the feeding apparatus with vinegar and water.

Older Children and Adults

• If you do not have immunity-affecting conditions, such as diabetes, cancer or other autoimmune disorders, you should be able to treat oral thrush through over-the-counter methods. These include eating unsweetened yogurt or taking over-the-counter acidophilus pills or a liquid form. Both of these methods do not necessarily kill the Candida fungus itself, but instead add healthy bacteria to the body to prevent further Candida development.

  If symptoms do not subside after several days of these at-home treatments, see a doctor, who can prescribe antifungal medications that can kill off Candida. Note that it is important to continue eating yogurt or taking acidophilus, as antifungal medications also can have an affect on healthy bacteria and fungus in the body.

Adults with Immune Disorders

• If your immune system is lower in function, the mouth thrush can multiply quickly and even create sores in the back of the throat, making it difficult to swallow and breathe. A physician may recommend a number of antifungal medications, such as nystatin, amphotericin B suspension, clotrimazole lozenges, or a fluconazole pill, according to skinsight.com. It is important for you to weight the side effects of each medication with its use, as some antifungal medications can cause liver damage.

  Additionally, some medications are not effective on those with late-stage HIV. However, amphotericin B should be effective in treating oral Candida for these patients.