Mouth Thrush
The cause for the oral thrush are fungi. Mostly they are yeast fungi, which belong to the genus Candida. The most frequent trigger of the infection of the oral mucosa is Candida albicans.
A whitish coating develops on the oral mucosa, which can usually be easily scraped off with a toothbrush. However, a large-area infestation with thickened, large, whitish plaques in the form of so-called thrush plaques can also develop. The best place for the fungi to multiply is on the surface of the tongue, underneath badly fitting dentures or in gum pockets.
The fungal infection is not limited to individual sections, but can spread like grass over the entire oral mucosa. Oral thrush often occurs in patients with a weakened immune system, such as children, the elderly, diabetics, patients with leukemia or a chronic disease, or as co-infection in patients with HIV infection. Also the intake of certain drugs, such as immunosuppressive drugs, antibiotics or cytostatics, promotes the development of thrush.
The oral thrush is treated with medication directed against the fungi (antimycotics). Nystatin is often used, which acts in the form of gel or lozenges, directly locally on the affected area. Only in serious cases, or if the fungus continues to spread to other organs, a systemic therapy should be considered.
