Oral thrush is a yeast infection caused on the tongue and inner lining of the mouth. The Candida albicans is the name of the fungus which causes infection in the mouth. The characteristic feature of this infection is the presence of white lesions on your cheeks and inner tongue area. It can be painful and may also bleed slightly. Oral thrush often develops in babies and on adults who have dentures in their mouth.
Oral Thrush Causes
The fungus Candida albicans causes this infection. Actually this fungus will be present most of the time, but it attacks you causing lesions only if your immunity level is lowered or you have any other infection. People who have poor health, very low immunity, who have autoimmune disorders like HIV or AIDS, who are receiving chemotherapy and who are taking steroid medicines for any other disease are prone to get oral thrush. Infants are largely attacked with this infection and sometimes it develops on the vagina of women along with yeast infection. People who have diabetics are also having increased risk of getting this infection.
Symptoms Of Oral Thrush
The affected person will have white patches or lesions on the tongue and inner cheeks. Sometimes lesions or bumps are also found in the roof of the mouth and gums. Lesions are whitish color looking like cottage cheese. There may be bleeding from the lesions. You may have difficulty in recognizing taste. In severe case, there may be swelling and redness in the corners of the mouth.
Diagnoses
Your doctor will physically examine your mouth and look for whitish lesions or sores. He may do culture test of mouth lesions, if necessary. For some people, endoscopy is done for checking the conditions in esophagus and stomach.
Pictures of Oral Thrush
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Oral Thrush
Treatment
For mild oral thrush, no treatment is required. It will get cured within a week of two. You can try taking yogurt or over the counter drugs like acidophilus for getting treated. Make sure that you are using soft toothbrush and diluting the mouth with hydrogen peroxide solution. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar level. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe clotrimazole or some other lozenges. For people wih autoimmune disorders like HIV, your doctor may prescribe strong medicines like fluconazole. For breast-feeding mothers, you need to take antifungal medicine for protecting your baby.
Prevention :
For people who get repeated infection, you can use antifungal medication for long time.