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What is thrush: Symptoms and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

There are microorganisms that habitually inhabit the human body. This is how bacteria and fungi are present in the body, many of them are harmless, and can cause infections depending on the conditions found.

In this case, oral thrush can occur in both children and adults when the conditions are ripe for the proliferation of this fungus that lives in the mouth. When an imbalance occurs between the immune system and the environment in which it is found, the proliferation of the fungus begins, giving rise to the infectious process. To find out if oral yeast infection is contagious , we advise you to continue reading the following FastlyHealarticle.

What is thrush

It is an infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans , which has the ability to affect the mucous membranes of the mouth, palate, tongue and lips. It is a wash that lives in the mouth and is kept in balance by healthy microorganisms found in this area.

This disease is characterized by the presence of white plaques on the tongue or on the inside of the cheeks , usually, it tends to appear in the upper part of the mouth, gums, tonsil or back of the throat.

How is oral yeast infection spread?

Oral thrush is considered an infectious disease , despite this it is not contagious because the vast majority of people have a good immune system, which generates resistance to the disease. Although a priori anyone can suffer it, mainly babies, young children, older adults and people who, due to underlying diseases, have alterations in the immune system .

Candida albicans infection in babies and young children occurs because their immune system is not fully developed, in the cases of elderly or sick people the immune system is at risk and is not in the capacity to defend to the organism of the growth of this fungus giving rise to the appearance of oral candidiasis.

The human body usually has microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi inside it, some of them can be beneficial for the body, as long as a balance is maintained between them.

When the proliferation of harmless bacteria is greater than those that cause damage, the balance is broken, and this is what gives rise to the appearance of the disease and its symptoms. The result is the appearance of oral candidiasis product of the infection by this fungus due to the weakness of the immune system.

Symptoms of thrush

The appearance of symptoms occurs once the disease is installed, some of them usually become immediately evident, some examples are:

  • Presence of creamy-looking white lesions on the inner side of the cheeks, tongue or sometimes on the upper part of the mouth, tonsils and gums.
  • Enlarged lesions with the appearance of cottage cheese .
  • Color change ranging from redness accompanied by burning and inflammation capable of causing difficulty in eating and swallowing.
  • Discreet bleeding in case lesions are rubbed or scratched.
  • Appearance of cracks and redness of the lip corner.
  • Loss of taste .
  • Presence of redness, pain and irritation under the teeth.

In very serious cases, what is known as candida esophagitis can occur , this occurs in cases of cancer, HIV, where the lesions migrate to the esophagus, even reaching the stomach.

Oral candidiasis in infants and mothers

This alteration can occur in infants and mothers during the lactation period . In addition to the characteristic lesions in the mouth, infants may have problems receiving food as well as being irritable or fussy. The infection can be transmitted to the mother during the breastfeeding period. This infection can circulate constantly due to contact between the baby’s mouth and the mother’s breast.

In cases where the latter is infected, the following symptoms tend to occur:

  • Redness, cracking, tenderness, and itchiness of the nipples
  • The skin can become shiny with the presence of scales in the areola area.
  • Pain during breastfeeding, it can be stabbing inside the breast.

Treatment of thrush

Treatment should be directed by a doctor or dentist. They will take care of the medical prescription if necessary. In the first instance, the use of a local application antifungal is recommended for 5 to 7 days.

In addition to this, certain general measures must be complied with that will favor the control of the infection :

  • Maintain the hygiene of the oral cavity at least 3 times a day.
  • Avoid consuming foods that are high in sweet or fat as much as possible.
  • Brush your teeth after every meal or take any medicine.

In the case of babies, a treatment is not necessary for this alteration, since it usually remits in approximately 2 weeks if the necessary treatment is applied. In the most serious cases, one should resort to taking antifungal medications orally for a period of 14 days according to medical prescription.

Oral candidiasis is not contagious, because of this it is much easier to implement some measures to prevent the advance of the disease, especially during breastfeeding, since it is in this period that it occurs most frequently.

Oral hygiene and nutrition are extremely important at any stage of life, especially in children, in this way, it will be possible to avoid the proliferation of the disease. Do not hesitate to go to your trusted doctor, he will guide you in the therapy to follow in order to avoid recurrences.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Is thrush contagious? , we recommend that you enter our category of Teeth and mouth .

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