Oral thrush

 📚Submitted by:  🎣 www.facebook.com/groups/1478392040080778/  

Oral thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth caused by an overgrowth of Candida (usually Candida albicans).

Candida normally lives in small amounts in the mouth — but when the immune balance shifts, it can multiply too much and cause symptoms.

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🦠 What’s Happening?

Your mouth has a natural balance of bacteria and fungi.

When that balance is disrupted (by illness, antibiotics, steroids, etc.), Candida can overgrow and form:

• White patches

• Inflammation

• Soreness

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⚠️ Common Symptoms

• Creamy white patches on tongue, cheeks, roof of mouth

• Redness underneath

• Soreness or burning

• Cracking at corners of mouth

• Loss of taste

• Pain when swallowing (if severe)

In infants:

• White coating on tongue

• Fussiness while feeding

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🔎 Who Is at Risk?

• Babies

• Elderly adults

• People using inhaled steroids (asthma inhalers)

• Recent antibiotic use

• Diabetes

• Weakened immune system

• Denture wearers

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💊 Treatment

• Antifungal mouth rinse (nystatin)

• Antifungal tablets (fluconazole, if severe)

• Good oral hygiene

• Rinse mouth after steroid inhalers

• Control blood sugar (if diabetic)

Most cases clear within 1–2 weeks with treatment.

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🚨 When to See a Doctor

• Painful swallowing

• Symptoms lasting longer than 2 weeks

• Recurrent infections

• If you have immune system problems

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⚡ Bottom Line

Oral thrush is common and treatable — but it signals an imbalance in the body.
Early treatment prevents spread and discomfort.