Thrush – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Thrush – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments of this infection that causes a lot of irritation. In addition, Thrush  (or oral candidiasis ) can be extremely uncomfortable, as well as aesthetically objectionable.

It is a fungal infection in the mouth region , but it is not contagious. Very commonly the treatment is fast and done through antifungal drugs, however, it is healthy to avoid it at all costs, especially when it comes to a newborn baby. We will see the causes of thrush, symptoms, treatments and prevention.

Oral candidiasis , also called oral moniliasis or thrush , is an oropharyngeal infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Contrary to what many people think, candidiasis in the mouth is not an exclusive problem for patients with HIV or another serious disease. Oral moniliasis can actually be one of the signs of AIDS, but it also often appears in children, the elderly, and people with an immune system disorder.

Causes of Thrush: There are several factors that can trigger Thrush , which is then the cause oforal candidiasis . The causes of Thrush are often associated with situations that change the internal chemical composition of the mouth , favoring the development of the fungus. The most common causes of thrush are:

  • smoking
  • Poor cleanliness or poor oral hygiene
  • Poorly fitting dentures or dentures
  • corticosteroid medication
  • Radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment
  • Use of some antibiotics

It is recurrent that Thrush is diagnosed in certain groups, such as newborn babies, people on antibiotic treatment, drug users, people with inadequate diet, people who use dentures, people with weak immune systems and obviously smokers or smokers of any gender. .

Symptoms of Thrush: In general, symptoms are lesions caused by the fundus that leave white plaques on the tongue, palate, gums, tonsils and inner part of the cheeks.

  • In the beginning they are not usually big which makes their diagnosis a little difficult, with time, however, they will evolve and in addition to the size they come with symptoms such as pain and difficulty distinguishing taste.
  • Another symptom of oral thrush is the feeling of having cotton in your mouth .

Symptoms of the most serious cases:  When thrush in the mouth is more aggressive, the symptoms are different. It is possible to evolve and pass into the esophagus and larynx, causing pain, difficulty swallowing and frequent hoarseness. In the case of candidiasis in the esophagus, it is necessary to be alert, as it can be an indication of AIDS.

Symptoms in the elderly:  In the elderly, white lesions are not common, especially if they wear dentures. What appears in this case is an intense and apparent redness in the gum just below the dental prosthesis. It is also possible to have the presence of a mouthpiece.

Symptoms in babies:  In babies, symptoms are often confused with remaining milk in the mouth . To confirm the problem, just put a gauze in the child’s mouth . The milk will come out completely, the thrush in the mouth is stuck and there may be bleeding if you try to scrape it off.

Thrush Treatments : Thrush is easily treated with antifungal remedies in the form of a cream or gel or even pills. Topical gel treatment usually takes two weeks and must be applied several times a day. The pills will very normally be given twice a day.

If there is medical suspicion that thrush is being caused by antibiotics or other drug interactions, then the doctor may recommend other dosages or medications. Very often the treatment for Thrush will not have side effects, except for possible cases of nausea for more sensitive organisms.

Useful links: 

Prevention of Thrush:
There are many ways to prevent Thrush , but most are based on cleanliness and proper hygiene. The most common tips for preventing thrush include:

  • Visit a dentist whenever possible (at least twice a year)
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and rinse your mouth after meals
  • Also brush your gums and floss, making sure that no food remains in your mouth .
  • If you smoke, it is recommended that the habit be abandoned.
  • If you wear dentures or removable dentures, remove them before going to bed

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *