Thrush, or oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection in your mouth and throat. It is caused by an overgrowth of yeast called Candida albicans. Candida is normally present in small amounts in your mouth and other parts of your body, but certain conditions can lead to an overgrowth of this yeast, resulting in thrush. The most common symptom of thrush is the presence of creamy white or velvety raised lesions on your tongue, inner cheeks, roof of your mouth, gums, tonsils, and throat.

The onset of symptoms can vary from person to person. Symptoms may develop suddenly or appear gradually. The speed at which symptoms appear can depend on several factors, including your overall health, immune system function, and the underlying causes of the oral thrush.

Thrush lesions often appear as white, cotton-like patches on your mouth, throat, and tongue mucous membranes. These patches are usually raised and may have a slightly fuzzy texture.

Thrush lesions can develop on various surfaces in your oral cavity, including your tongue, inner cheeks, palate (roof of the mouth), gums, tonsils, and the back of your throat. The specific location can vary from person to person.

Thrush can cause discomfort, soreness, and a burning sensation in the affected areas. These lesions can irritate the delicate mucous membranes in your mouth and throat. This irritation may lead to a burning or stinging sensation and general discomfort, making it painful to eat or drink, particularly when the affected areas come into contact with food or liquids.

The severity of soreness and discomfort can vary from mild to severe, depending on the extent of your infection and overall health.

Loss of taste can occur with oral thrush, but it doesn’t affect everyone with the condition. In addition to a reduced sense of taste, you may have an unpleasant or sour taste in your mouth.

In more advanced cases of oral thrush, the underlying tissue in the affected areas may become inflamed and red. This redness is often noticeable when the white lesions are scraped off or when they resolve, revealing the irritated mucous membranes beneath.

When the white lesions are scraped or otherwise disturbed, the delicate mucous membranes in your mouth and throat may be damaged, leading to bleeding. This bleeding is typically mild.

Cracking at the corners of your mouth, a condition known as angular cheilitis, can be associated with oral thrush. This symptom is characterized by small, painful cracks or fissures at one or both mouth corners.

These fissures can be red and swollen, and may even bleed or ooze clear fluid. Treatment typically includes antifungal and steroid creams.

Some individuals with thrush may experience dry mouth as a result of the infection or due to discomfort, which can make bad breath even worse. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth and neutralize odor-causing substances.

Factors like poor oral hygiene and underlying medical conditions can also contribute to bad breath.

Thrush is a common infection that can be transmitted between a parent and their baby during breastfeeding. Newborns have undeveloped immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to an overgrowth of yeast.

Thrush often develops when you or your baby has been treated with antibiotics. While antibiotics effectively treat bacterial infections, they can disrupt the balance of “good” bacteria, creating a favorable environment for yeast growth.

Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments, making your baby’s mouth and the breastfeeding person’s nipples the ideal breeding grounds for infection. Infants may also develop yeast-related diaper rashes when the yeast enters their stool.

Symptoms of thrush in infants include:

• White, velvety sores in the mouth and on the tongue
• Bleeding of the tongue when wiped
• Mouth redness
• Mood changes like fussiness
• A reluctance to nurse due to soreness
• A diaper rash

Some babies may not display any noticeable symptoms.

Reach out to your healthcare provider in the following situations:

• You notice the presence of sores resembling thrush.
• You experience discomfort or encounter challenges when swallowing.
• You experience thrush symptoms and fall into categories such as being HIV positive, undergoing chemotherapy, or taking medications that suppress (weaken) your immune system

Your healthcare provider can likely diagnose thrush with a visual examination of your mouth. Thrush is typically treated with an antifungal medication applied in your mouth and throat for 7-14 days. Severe infections may require intravenous medicines through an IV in your arm.

Thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection that affects your mouth and throat. An overgrowth of Candida albicans yeast often causes it. Common symptoms include white, velvety lesions on your tongue, inner cheeks, gums, and throat, which can resemble cottage cheese. This infection can also lead to soreness, discomfort, and a burning sensation, making eating, drinking, or speaking painful.

Consult your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if you fall into high-risk categories or experience severe symptoms. Antifungal medications are commonly prescribed to address thrush.