Is oral thrush common in pregnancy

Thrush When Pregnant - Symptoms & Causes

There is nothing more irritating than vaginal thrush. Unfortunately, it is common for pregnant women to experience the yeast infection, alongside everything else that goes with pregnancy.

The good news is that it is not normally serious, but it can be very uncomfortable.

Here we take a closer look at some of the symptoms of thrush and investigate what exactly can cause it.

What is thrush?

Thrush, also known as candidiasis, is a yeast infection which can affect both men and women.¹

Contrary to popular opinion, it is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection.

It is caused by a fungus called candida and thrives in warm, moist conditions.²

What causes thrush?

Candida usually lives in the vagina without causing any symptoms and its growth is kept under control by normal bacteria.

However, if the balance of this bacteria changes, then the candida fungus may grow and result in thrush. ³

Thrush symptoms

Now that we know the causes of thrush, here are some of the symptoms to look out for.

Thrush in women can cause several symptoms, which remain the same in pregnancy.

These include:

Itchiness and irritation around the vagina and vulva
A sore feeling around the entrance to the vagina
A slight swelling of the labia (vaginal lips)⁴
A white discharge which is a similar consistency to cottage cheese and is usually odourless
A stinging or burning feeling during sex or when going to the toilet
Redness of the vagina⁵

Sometimes thrush does not cause any symptoms and so you may not even know that you have had it.⁶

Why is thrush common during pregnancy?

Pregnant women tend to get thrush because of the changes that happen to the body during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester.⁷

These changes cause a change in the balance of bacteria in the body.

The glucose content in the vaginal wall can increase, which provides good conditions for fungus to grow.

Your immune system is slightly weakened during pregnancy and this means that your body might find it more difficult to fight off vaginal infections.

Thrush is especially common during the latter stages of pregnancy, in the third trimester.⁹

During pregnancy, you might find that thrush keeps coming back or that the symptoms can take a while to clear completely.¹⁰

Why it is normal to have thrush when you are pregnant

Don’t worry, having thrush is no reflection on either you or your partner.

It does not mean that there is anything wrong with your pregnancy or that you have done anything wrong. It is completely normal to experience thrush during your pregnancy.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush can also happen more often during pregnancy. Symptoms of thrush in the mouth include redness inside the mouth, an unpleasant taste or loss of taste and a sore tongue and gums. ¹¹

Consult your GP or midwife to discuss a mouth thrush treatment suitable for pregnant women.

Can having thrush harm an unborn baby?

There is no evidence to suggest that a pregnant mother having thrush can harm an unborn baby.

Your baby is tucked safely inside your womb and will not come into contact with the infection during pregnancy.¹²

If you are suffering from thrush when the baby is born, the baby may catch it during birth. However, this is not anything to worry about and it can easily be treated.¹³

How can you treat thrush when pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you should consult your GP or your midwife before you take any treatments or medication to treat thrush.¹⁴

During pregnancy, thrush can be treated with a cream to use externally or a tablet which is inserted into the vagina. This thrush treatment tablet is called a pessary and contains clotrimazole, which is an antifungal drug. ¹⁵

If you are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying for a baby then you should steer clear of anti-thrush oral tablets.¹⁶

How can I prevent thrush?

You may not be able to completely avoid thrush whilst pregnant, due to the hormonal changes in your body.

However, there are a few things you can do which might help to prevent it.

We know we don’t need to remind you, but always wipe from front to back when going to the toilet. This helps to prevent any bacteria entering the vagina.

Make sure you change your underwear if you go swimming or do a workout.

And speaking of underwear, cotton is best, as it allows the skin to breathe and helps to avoid the warm, moist conditions where candida otherwise thrives.¹⁷

To learn more about thrush and how to treat it, read our article on the best natural ways to tackle candida.

Last updated: 1 March 2021

Oral Thrush Treatment During Pregnancy Linked to Malformations

Published June 3, 2020

News and Trends

_{By staff}

Boston—Vulvovaginal candidiasis, commonly known as thrush, often occurs during pregnancy, and expectant mothers usually are prescribed a short course of topical antifungal agents or one dose of oral fluconazole.

Now, a report in The BMJ suggests that pregnant women who use oral thrush treatment might have a higher risk of delivering a baby with muscle and bone malformations. Brigham and Women’s Hospital–led researchers emphasize, however, that the absolute risk is small and that they did not demonstrate any association between the therapy and heart defects or oral clefts in babies, which had been feared.

The researchers note that topical antifungal treatment is available OTC in many countries, but that patients often opt for oral fluconazole because of the convenience of taking one oral dose.

Researchers sought to examine the risk of congenital malformations associated with exposure to oral fluconazole at commonly used doses in the first trimester of pregnancy for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

To do that, they focused on a cohort of 1.9 million pregnancies publicly insured in the United States, with data from the nationwide Medicaid Analytic eXtract 2000-14. Participants included pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid from 3 or more months before the last menstrual period to 1 month after delivery, and their infants enrolled for 3 or more months after birth. During the first trimester, 37,650 (1.9%) pregnancies were exposed to oral fluconazole and 82,090 (4.2%) pregnancies were exposed to topical azoles.

Researchers established use of fluconazole and topical azoles by requiring one or more prescriptions during the first trimester of pregnancy. The study team was looking for increased risk of musculoskeletal malformations, conotruncal malformations, and oral clefts, associated with exposure to oral fluconazole, diagnosed during the first 90 days after delivery.

Results indicate the following:
• The risks of musculoskeletal malformations were 52.1 (95% CI, 44.8 to 59.3) per 10,000 pregnancies exposed to fluconazole versus 37.3 (33.1 to 41.4) per 10,000 pregnancies exposed to topical azoles.
• The risks of conotruncal malformations were 9. 6 (6.4 to 12.7) versus 8.3 (6.3 to 10.3) per 10,000 pregnancies exposed to fluconazole and topical azoles, respectively.
• The risks of oral clefts were 9.3 (6.2 to 12.4) versus 10.6 (8.4 to 12.8) per 10 000 pregnancies, respectively.

The authors calculated the adjusted relative risk after fine stratification of the propensity score at 1.30 (1.09 to 1.56) for musculoskeletal malformations, 1.04 (0.70 to 1.55) for conotruncal malformations, and 0.91 (0.61 to 1.35) for oral clefts overall. Based on cumulative doses of fluconazole, they note, adjusted relative risks for musculoskeletal malformations, conotruncal malformations, and oral clefts overall were 1.29 (1.05 to 1.58), 1.12 (0.71 to 1.77), and 0.88 (0.55 to 1.40) for 150 mg of fluconazole; 1.24 (0.93 to 1.66), 0.61 (0.26 to 1.39), and 1.08 (0.58 to 2.04) for more than 150 mg up to 450 mg of fluconazole; and 1.98 (1.23 to 3.17), 2.30 (0.93 to 5.65), and 0.94 (0.23 to 3.82) for more than 450 mg of fluconazole, respectively.

The risk of musculoskeletal malformations was double in women taking the highest dose in early pregnancy (above 450 mg), but absolute risks were still small (12 incidents per 10,000 exposed pregnancies overall). A 30% increased risk among women who had taken a smaller cumulative dose of 150 mg of oral fluconazole also was identified.

“Oral fluconazole use in the first trimester was not associated with oral clefts or conotruncal malformations, but an association with musculoskeletal malformations was found, corresponding to a small adjusted risk difference of about 12 incidents per 10,000 exposed pregnancies overall,” the researchers conclude.

“Oral fluconazole during the first trimester, especially prolonged treatment at higher than commonly used doses, should be prescribed with caution, and topical azoles should be considered as an alternative treatment,” they add.

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

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Thrush in the mouth in adults: symptoms, treatment - ROOTT

Causes Types Danger Treatment Remedial measures Drugs against thrush

Oral candidiasis (thrush) is an infectious disease of the mucous membranes. It is caused by a fungus of the genus Candida.

Mucous membranes are covered with whitish plaques resembling curd mass. Patients have unpleasant sensations in the mouth, a burning sensation. Eating, sometimes even speaking, becomes painful. Patients complain of dry mouth and bad breath. nine0003

Thrush is very common in infants but is easily tolerated and heals quickly. It often occurs in people with dentures, those taking corticosteroids, or undergoing chemotherapy.

Causes of the disease

Yeast fungi are present in the body of any person. Under the influence of certain factors, they begin to multiply uncontrollably.

Thrush in the mouth is caused by:

Hormonal changes, e.g. during pregnancy
Taking certain medications
Weakening of immunity due to illness
Inadequate oral hygiene
Mucosal injuries
High carbohydrate diet
Taking contraceptives
Smoking
Candidiasis is contagious, it can be transmitted through shared utensils, kissing.

Classification

Symptoms of thrush manifest themselves in different ways, depending on the form of the disease. In dentistry, the following forms of candidiasis are distinguished:

Acute pseudomembranous - Mild form: the only symptom is the presence of plaque. If you scrape it off, a swollen, reddened mucous membrane is visible. - Moderate: plaque is difficult to remove, there are unpleasant sensations while eating. The submandibular lymph nodes are enlarged. - Severe form: extensive, off-white plaque. Signs of tissue infiltration. Plaques are removed with difficulty, bleeding mucous membrane is visible under them.
Acute atrophic Mucosa red, painful to touch, smooth. The plaque is dense, covers the cheeks from the inside, tongue, palate. The mouth is dry. There are teeth marks on the tongue. There may be a bitter, sour, metallic taste in the mouth. The acute course can become chronic, usually in patients with removable dentures. Therefore, its second name is prosthetic stomatitis. Under the prosthesis, the mucous membrane is dry, red. There is almost no plaque, but the pain syndrome is pronounced. On the back of the tongue papillae atrophy. This leads to a change in taste sensations. Sometimes atrophic candidiasis is called erythematous ("erythema" - redness). nine0018
Chronic hyperplastic It occurs only in adults, mainly in smokers. The coating is dirty gray, located in the corners of the lips, on the tongue. It scrapes off badly, has an unpleasant smell. The plaques merge, covering the mucosa almost completely. Saliva changes: it becomes viscous and foams. The most common such thrush in men.

Why is thrush dangerous? But candida is a yeast-like fungus, and, therefore, is capable of rapid reproduction, like any yeast. From the mucous membranes of the mouth, thrush can spread to the throat. This causes changes in the voice, makes it hoarse. Spreading to the esophagus, it provokes inflammation of the esophageal mucosa (esophagitis), making it painful for food to pass through it.

nine0003

Untreated hyperplastic candidiasis develops into malignant neoplasms.

Most importantly, the reproduction of the fungus indicates a malfunction in the body's defenses.

Only a doctor is able to prescribe the necessary examination and, based on its results, prescribe the appropriate treatment for a fungal infection.

How to treat thrush

Successful treatment requires an accurate diagnosis. For this, a number of laboratory tests are prescribed. Bacteriological culture is mandatory. He will not only confirm the thrush, but also determine which type of fungus caused it. This is important when prescribing drugs. After a clinical examination, the dentist may recommend blood glucose or HIV testing. nine0003

Recommended consultations with narrow specialists:

Endocrinologist To make sure there are no endocrine disorders.
Allergist To detect sensitivity to dentures.
Therapist To clarify the nature of somatic diseases.

Treatment of thrush in adults and children should be comprehensive and include activities aimed at strengthening general immunity, teaching adequate oral hygiene, and changing the diet. nine0003

Algorithm of therapeutic measures

For the best result, the intervention begins with the sanitation of the oral cavity. Carious teeth are treated by replacing the affected tissues with filling material. Remove hard plaque and tartar from enamel. Plaque is a hotbed of infection, it is necessary to get rid of it.
Eliminate the factors provoking candidiasis. Replace dentures if they cause an allergic reaction or do not fit well. Stop the exacerbation of common diseases. Take steps to improve your hormone levels. Conduct activities that increase immunity. nine0018
Administer antifungals based on culture results. Prescribed antihistamines, restorative agents, immunomodulators.
Give recommendations on the normalization of the microflora in the oral cavity.

To prevent relapses, it is useful to establish regular hygiene, to exclude foods rich in fast carbohydrates and sugars from the diet. Restorative activities include physical activity and stress-reducing activities (hobbies). It is important not to take medicines uncontrollably, according to recommendations from the Internet or from friends. nine0003

Thrush medicines

Candidiasis medicines come in various forms:
Suspensions (Diflucan, Amphotericin B)
Tablets (Nystatin, Flucanosole, Itriconazole)
Gels (Mikanozol)

A good effect in candidiasis is brought by rinsing with antiseptic agents: Chlorhexidine, Miramistin. This is especially important if the patient wears removable dentures or, for various reasons, cannot maintain adequate hygiene. nine0003

Patients should be advised to regularly disinfect their prostheses.

Physician's opinion: Most drugs for the treatment of thrush are prescription drugs. Their independent use can cause serious complications. Therefore, do not self-medicate, contact your dentist. The doctor will prescribe treatment only after determining the sensitivity of the fungus to certain drugs. This will increase the effectiveness of the intervention and prevent relapses.

symptoms of oral candidiasis, treatment of stomatitis in adults with drugs and a dentist

Candidiasis or thrush is a common infectious disease caused by yeast-like fungi. Often develops in the oral mucosa. It doesn't matter how old you are. The problem occurs at any age. Pathology is caused by a fungus of the genus Candida. Plaques appear on the mucous membrane. The formations have a curdled mass. Patients experience burning and other discomfort. Chewing food causes discomfort. Feeling sore when talking. Unpleasant smell, dryness and pain require immediate medical attention. nine0003

Thrush is also common in children. They develop candidal glossitis. The disease manifests itself in children. Pathology affects people who wear dentures. The reason is not that important. The disease must be eliminated. Requires surgical treatment. Don't put off visiting the clinic. An accurate diagnosis is required.

Causes

An unpleasant pathology is a dangerous infection. It occurs in people of all ages. It can overtake a child, a teenager, an adult. The disease often occurs with a weakened immune system. Love proper nutrition and do not deny yourself vitamins? You are lucky! Your body is able to prevent the occurrence of thrush. nine0003

The disease occurs as a result of the development of fungi. The occurrence of pathology is influenced by various factors. Yeast fungi are found in the body of every person. Under the influence of reasons, their uncontrolled reproduction begins. Don't want to suffer from a complex illness? Eliminate the factors that cause pathology.

Thrush is caused by:

Hormonal changes. With hormonal changes, it is difficult for the body to respond to the development of bacteria. For example, during pregnancy. Women often develop vaginal thrush. nine0018
Medicinal preparations. The mouth contains different types of microorganisms. They hold back each other's growth. Antibiotics kill some bacteria. The composition of the microflora is disturbed.
Weak immunity. It is difficult for a weakened body to fight dangerous bacteria. The number of fungi is increasing. The thrush appears.
Improper hygiene. The accumulation of germs often leads to problems. The thrush appears.
High carbohydrate foods. Glucose, sucrose and galactose enhance the growth of Candida. Monitor the quality of food. Excessive sugar increases the likelihood of thrush. nine0018
Diet. Malnutrition provokes the development of many diseases. With diets, there is a lack of iron and other vitamins. The possibility of the appearance of the disease increases.
Mucosal injury. Injuries reduce barrier properties. It is easier for fungi to penetrate deep into.
Smoking. The microflora is deteriorating. Diseases develop.
Contraceptives. Such drugs contain progestin, estrogen. Elements increase the concentration of glucose in the blood. The growth of Candida fungi is accelerated. nine0018
Removable dentures. Bacteria can accumulate on the denture. It is important to disinfect frequently.

Candidiasis is contagious. Bacteria are easily transmitted through kisses, shared towels, dishes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of thrush:

white, red spots and plaques;
dry;
burning sensation.

Candidiasis can be confused with many diseases. Avoid self-medication. At the first sign, consult a doctor. The dentist-therapist will conduct an examination. Schedules tests. Eliminate pathology. nine0003

Species

Symptoms and course depend on the form of the disease. There are several different types of candidiasis.

Acute pseudomembranous

This form of pathology has no pronounced symptoms. Acute candidiasis can cause mild discomfort. White plaques and plaque rise above the mucosa. The person is uncomfortable. At the initial stage, single plaques are removed with scraping. After you can see the mucous membrane of a bright red color. Fungal disease is not always mild. nine0003

Severe course causes more discomfort in the oral cavity. The sizes of plaques increase. They begin to merge with each other. Gradually, the entire mucosal cavity is affected. The plaques thicken. Removing them is more difficult. This type of pathology is often found in infants. May appear in adults after taking antibiotics or other strong drugs. It often worries patients who have a violation of the immune status. For example, as a result of HIV or leukemia. nine0003

Acute and chronic atrophic

Acute atrophic candidiasis causes extreme discomfort. The mucous membranes seem to have been burned by the hot liquid. Plaques and white plaque are absent. The mucosa acquires a pronounced red color. On the tongue there are traces of dental units. The patient may experience an acidic, metallic, bitter, or salty taste in the mouth. Feeling dry more often. Pathology occurs after taking antibiotics and other drugs. nine0003

Chronic candidiasis causes no less discomfort. There are redness in the mucosal area. Also worried about the burning sensation. On the back of the mucous membrane of the tongue, papillae may atrophy. Taste sensations change. Pathology occurs in patients who wear removable dentures. Therefore, the disease is often called prosthetic stomatitis.

Chronic hyperplastic

Mainly occurs in adult patients. This is the rarest type of candidiasis. Often develops on the buccal mucosa. May appear around the corners of the mouth. Skin lesions cause discomfort. Also appears on the soft palate and back of the tongue. White plaques gradually grow. In the absence of treatment, they merge. Gradually acquire a yellowish tint. In a pronounced degree, the plaques become more nodular and coarse. nine0003

This candidiasis is not easy to remove. Scraping plaques will not work. You can notice a change in the composition of saliva. It becomes more viscous, foamy. Often the pathology occurs in smoking men. Clinical studies have helped to discover that this type of candidiasis can transform into oncology. Therefore, pathology can be regarded as a precancerous disease.

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Treatment

Candidiasis requires immediate treatment. An accurate diagnosis should be made. A biopsy may be performed. Histological examination is often prescribed. A swab may be taken from the affected area. This is required for microscopic examination. If a pathology is suspected, the doctor prescribes laboratory tests. It is recommended to take blood tests for glucose or HIV. Rent bacteriological culture. The study will help identify a fungal disease. Sowing will determine the type of fungus that caused the appearance of thrush. Accurate diagnosis will allow you to prescribe effective drugs. nine0003

Consultation with more specialized specialists is recommended. An endocrinologist will help make sure that there are no endocrine diseases. The allergist will check the sensitivity to prosthetic devices. The therapist will determine the nature of the pathology.

Treatment includes the following steps:

Sanitation. All dental pathologies are treated. The dentist eliminates carious lesions, installs fillings. Tooth deposits are removed. Teeth are cleaned of plaque.
Elimination of pathologies. Exacerbations of diseases are stopped. The hormonal background is being adjusted. Increases immunity. Dentures that cause allergic reactions are replaced. nine0018
Prescribing drugs. The doctor prescribes medicines. Antifungal medications are prescribed. Antihistamines, immunomodulators, restorative drugs may be prescribed.

The treatment is carried out in a complex manner. Includes measures to strengthen the immune system. The doctor teaches proper oral hygiene. A change in diet is recommended. Bad habits should be eliminated. Smoking will quickly lead to recurrence. The doctor gives recommendations that will help prevent relapses. nine0003

Preparations

Candidiasis cannot be cured without effective medications. Manufacturers produce different products. They can eliminate the pathology quickly enough. Comprehensively affect the problem. Only a doctor can prescribe the most effective remedies. The doctor examines the signs. Performs diagnostics. Then he prescribes drugs.

Doctors prescribe:

Suspensions (Amphotericin B, Diflucan). Effective in severe forms of thrush. High-quality suspensions gently affect the manifestations and cause of the disease. nine0018
Tablets (Itriconazole, Nystatin or others). The dosage is determined according to age. Most drugs are sold by prescription only.
Gels (Miconazole). They are used as applications on the mucous membrane.
Antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorhexidine). Complementary Therapy. Used for rinsing.

Medicines and aids prescribed by a doctor. It is not worth making a decision about taking medications on your own. You can make health problems worse. It is necessary to take drugs in accordance with the prescribed treatment plan. The infection will pass. nine0003

Prevention

After treatment, prevention is important. With a mild form of thrush, relapses do not occur. The average degree of the course of the disease can be repeated. A severe form can turn into a chronic condition. Complications are possible. Relapses occur for a number of reasons. For example, do not follow the doctor's prescriptions. Immunodeficiency and diabetes mellitus lead to repeated pathologies. Illiterate treatment leads to the development of the disease. Don't want complications? Contact experienced doctors. Don't forget about prevention. nine0003

Brush your teeth properly. You can not damage the mucous membrane. After eating, it is recommended to rinse the mouth. For this, special tools are used. A dentist can help in choosing the composition. Do not use one toothbrush for a long time. It needs to be changed every 2-3 months. The brush must be washed thoroughly after each use.

Wear removable dentures? Wash them after eating. Store your dentures in a case. Don't throw them anywhere. Microbes can get on dentures. nine0003

Bad habits cause many diseases. Smoking, alcoholic beverages adversely affect the microflora. Harmful bacteria spread faster. Increase your vitamins. Strong immunity is less likely to be influenced by harmful factors. The body will fight dangerous bacteria.

When treating pathologies with antibiotics, probiotics should be taken. Antifungal drugs are also recommended. Antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria.