Understanding Yeast Infection In The Mouth
A yeast infection in the mouth is associated with the
candida family of yeast, particularly candida albicans. This fungus
usually inhabits the mucous membranes like the vagina, eyes and mouth.
It’s a “cousin” to herpes and shingles because candida is a fungus, and
herpes and shingles are viruses.
What is a yeast infection in the mouth?
This is a condition called “Thrush” or in the vernacular, “Trench
Mouth.” Thrush is quite uncommon; only in the past 10-15 years was it
clearly defined medically. Two decades ago, for the sort of yeast
infection in the mouth derived from an unknown cause; doctors simply
treated the overt symptoms of Thrush without actually understanding what
caused it.
Symptoms of yeast infection of the mouth
Thrush is a uncomfortable, painful condition. It is also extremely
unsightly, causing humiliation to the victim. The symptoms of this yeast
infection of the mouth are easily recognized as creamy-white, curd-like
patches on the tongue, inside the lips and on the inside walls of the
mouth. Thrush lesions can range in size from a fingernail to a
half-dollar. The lesions can also expand down into the throat where they
be hidden, but are surely felt by the sufferer.
Causes of yeast infection of the mouth
Prior to the cause of this yeast infection of the mouth was known,
physicians usually tried to scrape the white patches of fungus from the
affected areas of the mouth. This left the patient with red, raw, and
bleeding lesions that were terribly painful. But physicians did know
that Thrush, if left untreated, could multiply and cause damage to other
body organs. This yeast infection of the mouth is thus much more
hazardous than other types of infection such as vaginal candida fungal
infections. Nowadays, medical research has particularly identified the
causes of Thrush. This yeast infection of the mouth is most often caused
by extensive medicinal use of antibiotics and steroids.
Treatment of yeast infection of the mouth
Yeast infection of the mouth can be treated in several effective ways.
Nystatin is a liquid anti-fungal medication that is swished in the mouth
3-4 times per day. For the pain caused by Thrush, an oral liquid,
lidocaine, can also be swished in the mouth up to six times a day to
ease the discomfort of the yeast infection of the mouth As a further
candida-killer, Clotrimazole is an oral anti-fungal pill taken three
times a day. Sometimes the medication Famvir, usually used to treat
shingles, is also effective.
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