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Home » Topics A–Z » Oral candidiasis
Created 2003 by Dr Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand. Latest update by Dr Jannet Gomez, March 2017.
Oral candidiasis is often known as thrush because its white spots resemble the breast of the bird with the same name. Although candida is present in 50% of the normal flora of healthy mouths, it causes infection (candidiasis) when increased numbers of yeast cells invade the mucosa (the name for the moist skin inside body openings).
The usual organism is Candida albicans, but C. tropicalis is sometimes responsible. C. dubliniensis is also reported in HIV patients. See Non-albicans candida infections.
Oral candidiasis
More images of oral candidiasis.
Candida may arise suddenly as an acute infection or persist for long periods as a chronic infection.
Severe infections may extend down the throat (oesophageal infection) and cause difficulty with swallowing.
Microscopy and culture of skin swabs and scrapings aid in the diagnosis of candidal infections. However, candida can live on a mucosal surface quite harmlessly. It may also secondarily infect an underlying disorder.
In extensive oral candidiasis, endoscopy is performed to see the extent of the lesions into the gastrointestinal tract.
Practice good oral hygiene.
Mouthwashes with anti-candidal activity include:
Topical antifungal products for oral candidiasis include:
Treatment should be continued for 1–4 weeks or until symptoms have been clear for 7 days.
See smartphone apps to check your skin.
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