THRUSH:I have developed small white spots on the back of my tongue and inside my cheeks. Any idea what these could be?
What you describe sounds like a yeast infection of the mucous membrane lining of the mouth and tongue. Known as thrush, the condition is caused by forms of a fungus called Candida. Although a small amount of Candida can be found in the mouth most of the time, it is usually kept in check by the immune system and other types of germs that also live in the mouth. However, when the immune system is weakened, the fungus can grow, leading to small white lesions developing on the lining of the mouth and tongue. These fungal lesions have a distinct appearance, usually velvety white, with red tissue underneath that can bleed easily. The lesions can slowly increase in number and size. Diagnosis is usually made by examination but if there is any doubt microscopic examination of mouth scrapings or culture of mouth lesions may be undertaken to confirm the diagnosis.
Apart from a recent chest infection requiring two different courses of antibiotics to clear it, I’m perfectly healthy.
Taking antibiotics in high doses or for a prolonged period increases the risk of developing oral thrush. This is because antibiotics can kill some of the healthy bacteria that help keep Candida from over-growing. Taking steroid medications, taking drugs to suppress your immune system following an organ transplant, or undergoing chemotherapy, can all cause thrush to develop. Older people and very young children are more prone to thrush. And those who suffer from diabetes and have high blood sugar levels are also more likely to get oral thrush. Candida can also cause thrush to develop in the vagina.
How can I get rid of them?
Mild cases of thrush which develop after taking antibiotics often respond to eating yogurt containing acidophilus. Using a soft toothbrush and rinsing your mouth with a diluted 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide solution several times a day may also help. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal mouthwash or lozenges to suck on. There is usually an improvement within five to 10 days. If there is no improvement within this time, other, stronger medication may be prescribed. If you experience frequent outbreaks of thrush, your doctor may recommend taking antifungal medication on a regular basis to avoid recurrent infections.
