Can oral thrush be a symptom of something else?

While a white tongue often indicates thrush, it can be a sign of another condition. Several oral conditions have similar symptoms to thrush, causing them to sometimes be mistaken for thrush.

What underlying conditions can cause oral thrush?

Babies, young children and elderly people are at a particularly high risk of developing oral thrush, as are people with certain underlying conditions, including diabetes, an iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and HIV.

What can be mistaken for oral thrush?

Hairy leukoplakia causes fuzzy, white patches that resemble folds or ridges, usually on the sides of your tongue. It's often mistaken for oral thrush, an infection marked by creamy white patches that can be wiped away, which is also common in people with a weakened immune system.

Can thrush be a symptom of something else?

Thrush can be confused with other conditions that cause itching and redness with or without discharge. These other conditions include herpes infections and bacterial infections. Your doctor will examine you and take a swab or do further tests to confirm the diagnosis.

What does oral thrush indicate?

Weakened immunity.

Oral thrush is more likely to occur in infants and older adults due to reduced immunity. Some medical conditions and treatments can suppress your immune system, such as cancer and its treatments, organ transplantation and required drugs that suppress the immune system, and HIV/AIDS.

Causes and symptoms of oral thrush - Dr. Jayaprakash Ittigi

Can oral thrush be cancerous?

Red and white patches in the mouth can also be caused by a fungal infection called thrush. The white patches usually rub off, leaving a sore red patch underneath. If you have anti fungal treatment, and the patches go away, they are not related to cancer.

Is it normal to get oral thrush?

Oral thrush is usually harmless. It's common in babies and older people with dentures. It can be easily treated with medicines bought from a pharmacy.

When should you worry about thrush?

you have unusual symptoms, such as coloured or smelly discharge, or sores on the skin around your vagina. you have abnormal vaginal bleeding or pain in your lower tummy. you've had two episodes of thrush within the last six months. you've reacted badly to antifungal treatment in the past, or it didn't work.

Is thrush a serious condition?

Thrush rarely causes complications in people with healthy immune systems. But if you have a weakened immune system, Candida can enter your bloodstream and spread to other areas of your body, such as your eyes, brain or heart. This type of infection is serious and may lead to septic shock, a life-threatening condition.

What are the 6 symptoms of thrush?

Why won't oral thrush go away?

Oral thrush clears up within a few weeks with the proper antifungal treatment. The condition may be harder to treat if you have a weakened immune system from HIV infection, cancer, or diabetes.

Is oral thrush life threatening?

Oral thrush usually doesn't cause any serious health problems, but it can be very unpleasant. If the fungus spreads to your food pipe, for example, it may cause problems swallowing. Together with the usual symptoms, this may cause people who have oral thrush to eat less and lose weight.

Can stress cause oral thrush?

But sometimes, certain illnesses or medications -- like corticosteroids or antibiotics -- can disturb the balance. This can cause the fungus to grow out of control. That's when you get thrush. Stress can cause it.

Does oral thrush mean weak immune system?

Thrush does not usually affect healthy adults. It is more common in people with a weakened immune system, diabetes, and certain other chronic conditions. It is also more likely in people who take certain kinds of medicines. Thrush is normally not contagious.

What immune deficiency causes oral thrush?

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, a hereditary immunodeficiency disorder, is persistent or recurring infection with Candida (a fungus) due to malfunction of T cells (a type of white blood cell). Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis causes frequent or chronic fungal infections of the mouth, scalp, skin, and nails.

What immune disorder causes thrush?

People with Sjogren's syndrome are much more likely to develop oral thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth.

What are the symptoms of severe thrush?

Can oral thrush cure itself?

Does thrush go away on its own? Thrush often goes away on its own once you stop whatever is causing the problem. “For example, if antibiotics led to thrush, just waiting a few weeks may give the body time to return to a natural yeast balance,” says Dr. Reisman.

How long until oral thrush goes away?

It usually takes nystatin liquid around a week to treat oral thrush, you'll need to continue taking it for 2 days after this to make sure all the fungus has been killed.

Can oral thrush spread to the brain?

The yeast gets into your bloodstream and spreads to other areas, such as your eyes, heart, brain and kidneys.

Can a hormone imbalance cause oral thrush?

Fungal Overgrowth

When medication, stress, hormonal changes, or a weakened immune system causes an upset in this balance, C. albicans can grow freely, leading to a condition known as thrush. Most commonly, the fungal overgrowth occurs in the mouth and is known as oral thrush.

Should I go to the hospital for oral thrush?

In most cases, thrush isn't a medical emergency. Call your pediatrician if your baby develops symptoms of thrush. Teens and adults should see their healthcare provider. If symptoms are severe, seek emergency care if you can't reach your doctor.