Oral Candidiasis

Oral Candidiasis: Fungal infection of the mouth

About

Oral Candidiasis, also known as Oral Thrush, is a condition in which the fungus Candida Albicans (an organism in the mouth) accumulates and overgrows on the lining of the mouth.

It is estimated that about 95% of people who are HIV positive will develop Oral Thrush at some point or other during the lifetime. [1]

Oral Candidiasis is:
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Usually self-diagnosable
- Lab Tests or imaging may rarely be required
- Resolves within days to weeks

It usually occurs in babies aged 0 to 5 years, people with immune deficiency, people using steroid sprays for asthma, those who smoke cigarettes, those who have Diabetes, Anemia or HIV.

Symptoms

The very common symptoms of Oral Candidiasis include:
- Creamy white bumps on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums or the tonsils
- Slight bleeding on scraping the bumps
- Painful bumps
- Dry, cracked skin at the corner of the mouth
- Difficulty in swallowing
- A bad taste in the mouth

Treatment

Self-care: For infants and breastfeeding mothers, antifungal medication for the baby and an antifungal cream for the mother’s breasts like Terbinafine or Clotrimazole can help. Rinsing pacifiers, bottle nipples and allowing then to air dry will prevent the spread of the disease. Oral Candidiasis can be treated at home by brushing teeth with a soft toothbrush, cleaning the dentures, maintaining blood sugar levels if diabetic. Eating unsweetened yoghurt also helps restore the levels of good bacteria.

Medication: Doctors may recommend antifungal medication for infants and the mothers. This may include Lozenges, Tablets, or a liquid that is first swished in the mouth and then swallowed.

Specialists: For other severe kinds, consult a pediatrician at the earliest. We at mfine can help you with various fields of health issues. You can get in touch with us onboard for a holistic treatment program.