Suggest Remedy For Oral Thrush

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015

Question: Any ideas to get control of mouth thrush? I have had it off and on for years...and could get it better in time. I have now had this for more than four months and seems to be getting worse. I have been to three ents, a dentist, and a dermatologist plus my MD. Have tried most over the counter meds and many subscripts.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Further investigation is required.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. A throat swab and tongue scraping should be sent for culture (bacterial and fungal) culture and sensitivity to medication.

2. Close up images of the thrush will help.

3. A confirmatory report will help differentiate this from other conditions and enable me to suggest treatment options.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (20 hours later)

Thank you...do you need a prescription for clotrimazole mouth paint?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Clotrimazole mouth paint is available OTC.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. No, you should not need a prescription for Clotrimazole mouth paint.

2. Clotrimazole mouth paint is available OTC.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (8 hours later)

Are streiods helpful or do more harm? I will check with ent I am now seeing about a throat swab and tongue scraping. I see him again in about a week. Now I am only using the nystatin 100,000 units/ml susp. I have been using it for about a week and see no progress yet. Not sure how to go about sending close up image...

Thanks again...

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Steroids may flare up an infection and must be taken under the cover of antibiotics and anti-fungals

2. Over use of medicated mouthwashes may also lead to thrush.

3. A coated tongue is a common condition also seen with acid reflux, dehydration, decreased salivation and fungal infections. Do you have any symptoms such as burning or altered taste?

4. You can upload images of the oral cavity in the reports section.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar