Oral Thrush - An Introduction

Many of us surely have experienced (and in fact, some are still experiencing) that itchy soaring inside our mouth with those small burning white/yellowish spots? Remember the days when you wanted to taste your favorite food but the thrush in your mouth gave you sensation as if there is a burning coal kept in your mouth, which you cannot spit out but have to bare the burns/pain.

Candidiasis, which is also known as yeast infection or thrush, is a type of fungal infection that is caused by yeast organisms of type candida. This fungal infection (also known as candidosis) occurs in the mucus membrane inside of mouth and can occur to people of any age group (i.e. infants as well as adults). Candidiasis is a result of growth of candida fungus due to the failure of natural microorganism that keeps check on the growth of fungus inside the mouth. (Please note that microorganism refers to good bacteria, which removes fungus and help in keeping the growth of fungus under control)

Candidiasis generally starts in the form of slightly raised white to yellowish (sometimes creamy or off-white) spots in the mouth with almost no pain in the area below the spots. The spots grow slowly and once they are scratched they start bleeding.

As already mentioned, Candidiasis does not affect people of a particular age group or locality or a particular breed, but it can occur in anyone who is exposed to the yeast. If you are among the people who use any type of dentures, those who are suffering from severe diseases like HIV/AIDS, diabetes etc. that causes imbalance in the metabolism and exposes the patient to other infectious diseases, people who undergo surgical operations such as tonsillectomy, amputation of organs etc., those who perform cunnilingus or fellatio with a an infected partner etc., then you are at the risk of candidiasis.

Candidiasis treatment takes anywhere between 4 to 14 days. Homemade remedies are said to be as successful in treating the disease as the allopathic medicines. Cloves, egg-yogurt, garlic paste and vinegar are few grocery items that we use in our day-to-day lives are considered to work very effectively on candida and provide comfort at an extent.

Patient suffering from Candidiasis should consider seeing a good physician even when homemade remedies are great help. One should know that Candida shows resistance to many anti-fungal medicines and needs specific treatment, making it more important to see a physician on priority.

Patients who are already suffering from Candidiasis and those who want to stay at a bay from it should try the following things:
1) Try to avoid extensive use of steroids and antibiotics
2) Rinse mouth with water (if not with mouth-wash) after use of steroids or antibiotics or anything that can cause yeast infection/growth.
3) Avoid direct physical contact with infected partners (those who perform fellatio or cunnilingus with their partners) or if you are infected, avoid direct contact with your partner for his/her safety.
4) If you are suffering from Candidiasis, try using Clove oil, garlic, yogurt etc. Anti-fungal properties of these items can help in minimizing the effect of it at certain level.
5) And last but not the least … please visit your physician if you think you are infected.