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See also: White patches/leukoplakia;
frictional keratosis; smoker's
keratosis
What is candida (oral thrush)?
Candida albicans is a type of yeast (fungus) that is a common
infection in the mouth. Usually, it is not a serious infection.
It can be troublesome, but is usually easily treated. It likes
to infect moist places such as the mouth (although it can also
affect wounds and the genitals). The mouth infection is called
oral candidiasis (or oral thrush). It is called thrush because
it can have white spots like the thrush's (bird's) chest.
Thrush can appear throughout the mouth as thick white or red
patches. It can cause discomfort but is mostly asymptomatic.
Why have I got oral thrush?
The candida fungus is often present in your mouth. However, under
some conditions, it can overgrow to produce symptoms - this is
when the balance in the mouth is tipped in favour of the candida
growing. This overgrowth is often linked to a change in the immune
system of the person but it can also be linked to other local
changes in the mouth that encourage its growth.
What types of people often get candida infection?
Candida is more common in people who have a reduced immunity
or who have local changes in their mouth that favour its growth
including:
-
The very young because their immune system is still developing
-
Pregnant women because of normal hormonal changes
-
The elderly because their immune systems can be suppressed.
-
People who have diabetes (because of changes in the tissues
of the mouth)
-
People who have infections that depress the immune system
(eg HIV/AIDS).
-
People who are having treatments that reduce their immunity
(eg transplant patients, some cancer patients, some asthmatic
people who are taking higher-dose steroids).
If I have candida, what should I do?
Candida can be without obvious symptoms, and your dentist or
doctor might find it as part of a routine checkup. It can also
give you a sore mouth and your doctor or dentist might want to
scrape a little from your mouth (or take a culture swab) and look
at it under the microscope.
If you are in one of the groups of people at increased risk (see
above), you doctor (or dentist) will usually be on the look out
for candida infection. Treatment is with the use of antifungal
tablets. Mouthwashes such as those containing chlorhexidine are
also helpful.
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