Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsLinkOther CausesPreventionTreatmentFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Link
Other Causes
Prevention
Treatment
FAQs
Thrushis a fungal infection that occurs inside the mouth, causing painful white patches on the tongue and cheeks. The fungus that causes thrush is calledcandidaand is commonly found on our skin and in the environment. Thrush is most likely to affect infants and small children and is rarer in adults. It can be a side effect ofcorticosteroid inhalersused forasthmaand other respiratory conditions.
This article discusses the causes, signs, and treatment of thrush, as well as ways to prevent thrush when using a corticosteroid inhaler.
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Signs and Symptoms of Oral Thrush
Common signs and symptoms oforal thrushinclude:
Why Is My Tongue White?
Oral Thrush and Inhalers
Inhaled corticosteroids are frequently prescribed to treat asthma orchronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). A side effect of these medications is decreased immune function, which can increase your likelihood of developing certain infections, like thrush.
Approximately 3% of people who use inhaled corticosteroids get thrush.
Other Causes of Oral Thrush
In addition to corticosteroids, certain other medications may make you more likely to develop thrush, includinghormonal birth control pillsandantibiotics.
Other medical conditions that may make you prone to thrush include:
People who smoke and people who do not maintain proper oral hygiene may also be more likely to get thrush.
Infants with underdeveloped immune systems are prone to getting thrush while breastfeeding.
Causes and Risk Factors of Thrush
Preventing Oral Thrush From an Inhaler
Practicing good oral hygiene is essential to preventing thrush. Here are some tips to prevent it while using an inhaler:
Is Thrush Contagious?
Treating Oral Thrush
Oral thrush can be treated with oral medications, such asflucanazole, or topically with antifungal rinses, such asnystatin, which are usually swished around the mouth and then spit out.
Topical medications are often chosen because they are less likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause side effects.
Summary
Using inhaled corticosteroids can increase your risk of developing thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth. This is due to the lack of immune response in chronic health conditions like asthma and COPD. It can also be due to a lack of proper oral hygiene.
A Word From Verywell
While using inhaled corticosteroids can increase your chances of getting thrush, it’s not common. It’s more important to use your inhaler to manage your chronic respiratory condition, as necessary. If you experience frequent bouts of thrush, talk to your healthcare provider about underlying health conditions that could be causing it.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn some cases, thrush will go away on its own within a couple of weeks.This is more likely in mild cases or in individuals with healthy immune systems. In more severe cases, mouth discomfort will continue to worsen, and the infection can spread without proper treatment. Thrush can be more difficult to treat in people who have weakened immune systems.In most cases, thrush will go away within a couple of weeks. Most medications used to treat thrush should be taken for 10-14 days, although you may feel better much sooner. If so, you still should not stop the medication early.Inhalers that can increase your risk of getting thrush belong to a class of medications called corticosteroids. Examples include beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, and mometasone.
Frequently Asked Questions
In some cases, thrush will go away on its own within a couple of weeks.This is more likely in mild cases or in individuals with healthy immune systems. In more severe cases, mouth discomfort will continue to worsen, and the infection can spread without proper treatment. Thrush can be more difficult to treat in people who have weakened immune systems.
In most cases, thrush will go away within a couple of weeks. Most medications used to treat thrush should be taken for 10-14 days, although you may feel better much sooner. If so, you still should not stop the medication early.
Inhalers that can increase your risk of getting thrush belong to a class of medications called corticosteroids. Examples include beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, and mometasone.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dekhuijzen PNR, Batsiou M, Bjermer L, et al.Incidence of oral thrush in patients with COPD prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: Effect of drug, dose, and device.Respiratory Medicine. 2016;120:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2016.09.015Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.Henriksen DP, Davidsen JR, Christiansen A, Laursen CB, Damkier P, Hallas J.Inhaled corticosteroids and systemic or topical antifungal therapy: A symmetry analysis.Annals ATS. 2017;14(6):1045-1047. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201612-1043LENemours Kids Health.Oral thrush.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dekhuijzen PNR, Batsiou M, Bjermer L, et al.Incidence of oral thrush in patients with COPD prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: Effect of drug, dose, and device.Respiratory Medicine. 2016;120:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2016.09.015Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.Henriksen DP, Davidsen JR, Christiansen A, Laursen CB, Damkier P, Hallas J.Inhaled corticosteroids and systemic or topical antifungal therapy: A symmetry analysis.Annals ATS. 2017;14(6):1045-1047. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201612-1043LENemours Kids Health.Oral thrush.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dekhuijzen PNR, Batsiou M, Bjermer L, et al.Incidence of oral thrush in patients with COPD prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: Effect of drug, dose, and device.Respiratory Medicine. 2016;120:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2016.09.015Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.Henriksen DP, Davidsen JR, Christiansen A, Laursen CB, Damkier P, Hallas J.Inhaled corticosteroids and systemic or topical antifungal therapy: A symmetry analysis.Annals ATS. 2017;14(6):1045-1047. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201612-1043LENemours Kids Health.Oral thrush.
Dekhuijzen PNR, Batsiou M, Bjermer L, et al.Incidence of oral thrush in patients with COPD prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: Effect of drug, dose, and device.Respiratory Medicine. 2016;120:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2016.09.015
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis basics.
Henriksen DP, Davidsen JR, Christiansen A, Laursen CB, Damkier P, Hallas J.Inhaled corticosteroids and systemic or topical antifungal therapy: A symmetry analysis.Annals ATS. 2017;14(6):1045-1047. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201612-1043LE
Nemours Kids Health.Oral thrush.
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