Thrush is a fungal infection caused by a yeast called candida. Oral thrush means that the infection is in the mouth. Show Oral thrush is common in babies and in older people with dentures. Most of the time oral thrush can be treated with over-the-counter medicines from a pharmacy. Check if it’s oral thrushAdults and children over 12 monthsSigns of oral thrush include:
You might have other symptoms if you’re an adult, including:
Babies under 12 monthsNot all babies with oral thrush will have symptoms. Signs of oral thrush in babies include:
If you breastfeed your baby when they have oral thrush, you can get a thrush infection of your nipple or areola (the circle around your nipple). This is called nipple thrush. When it’s not oral thrushIf you are not sure if you have thrush or you do not get better after 2 weeks, see your GP. You may need stronger treatment. There are other conditions that can cause sore or white tongue. Some of these can be serious if not treated. Treating oral thrush in babies and childrenContact your GP if you think your baby has oral thrush. Your GP can treat your baby for oral thrush with any of the following:
Speak to your GP if you are breastfeeding. They can prescribe cream to treat or prevent you from getting nipple thrush. Helping your child's oral thrush at homeYou can help your child's oral thrush to heal by:
Treating oral thrush in adultsAdults can treat oral thrush at home with a mouth gel from a pharmacy. Your pharmacist will tell you how to use the gel. Treatment usually lasts at least 7 days. Always follow the packet instructions. Keep all medicines out of sight and reach of children. Oral thrush in adults is not contagious, but you should treat it as soon as possible. The infection can spread to other parts of the body if it's not treated. See your GP if you do not see any improvement after 1 week of treatment with a mouth gel. Other risk factors for oral thrushYou might get thrush if you're:
Preventing oral thrushThere are some things you can do to help prevent oral thrush: Oral thrush is a yeast or fungal infection of the genus Candida that develops on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Oral candidiasis is another name for oral thrush. Oral thrush most commonly occurs due to the fungus Candida albicans. However, the following can also cause the infection:
For the majority of individuals, oral thrush does not cause any serious problems. However, if a person has a weakened immune system, their signs and symptoms may be much more severe. This article will cover all aspects of oral thrush, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment. Doctors will usually prescribe anti-fungal medications, such as nystatin or miconazole, in the form of drops, gel, or lozenges. Alternatively, a doctor may prescribe a topical oral suspension. To take this treatment, a person washes it around their mouth for a few minutes and then swallows or spits out the solution (depending on the formulation). According to a 2021 article, a healthcare professional will prescribe the following treatment options based on the severity of the condition:
For people who also have advanced cancer, a doctor may prescribe 150 mg of fluconazole as a single dose. Alongside medical treatment, the following can help reduce the risk of worsening the condition:
The National Health Service notes that the use of steroid inhalers, or corticosteroid inhalers, can increase the chance of developing oral thrush. A person can use a spacer or rinse their mouth after use to help prevent oral thrush from developing Oral thrush in babies presents as a white coating on the tongue that resembles cottage cheese. A caregiver will not be able to rub the coating off easily. However, they will be able to scrape the coating off, leaving a red area. Oral thrush in adults generally appears as thick, white, or cream-colored deposits on the mucous membrane of the mouth. The inside of the mouth may appear swollen and slightly red and may feature raised spots. The white spots may join together to form larger ones, also known as plaques. These plaques may then take on a grayish or yellowish color. Occasionally, the affected area simply becomes red and sore, with no detectable white spots. If a person scrapes the cream or white-colored deposits, bleeding may occur. Other symptoms include:
Individuals who wear dentures may have areas that are constantly red and swollen under their dentures. Poor oral hygiene or not taking the dentures out before going to sleep may increase the risk of oral thrush. A 2015 reviewnotes that medical professionals sometimes divide oral thrush into three groups based on appearance, although the condition can sometimes sit between categories. The three groups are:
There are a number of other lesions that can also appear with oral thrush. Sometimes, these lesions might be due to other types of bacteria that are also present in the area. These can include:
Oral thrush is not contagious in adults. However, thrush can pass between an infant and parent during breastfeeding or chestfeeding. Some people may find oral thrush painful. The spots can become raised, and a person may experience discomfort and a burning sensation. In other instances, a person may develop no spots but experience a general soreness in the mouth. If a person scrapes their spots, they may bleed and experience some mild pain. Tiny quantities of Candida fungus exist in various parts of our body. It is present in the digestive system, skin, and mouth. Generally, these fungi cause no problems to healthy individuals. However, people on certain medications, with reduced immune systems, or with certain medical conditions are susceptible to oral thrush when C. albicans grows out of control. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , those under 1 month of age have a higher chance of developing oral thrush. Adult oral thrush is more likely to become a problem for the following groups:
Other risk factors include:
The CDC states that the doctor can look into the person’s mouth and ask some questions about symptoms to diagnose oral thrush. The doctor may scrape some tissue from the inside of the mouth for analysis. If the doctor believes that medication or some other underlying cause is behind the thrush, then they will attempt to deal with it accordingly. Treatments in such cases depend on the underlying cause. Oral thrush is a fungal infection that develops on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Common symptoms of oral thrush include thick, white, or cream-colored spots on the mucous membrane. These spots may be raised and can cause some pain and discomfort, For most people, oral thrush does not cause serious problems. However, people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe symptoms and a higher chance of the infection spreading into the bloodstream. Doctors can treat oral thrush with anti-fungal drugs, such as nystatin or miconazole. They may also prescribe a topical oral suspension. Some circumstances may increase a person’s risk of developing oral thrush. These include smoking, diabetes, the use of dentures, the use of antibiotics, and a weakened immune system. |