Oral candidiasis

• Candida albicans
• Risk factors include:
• Local
  • poor oral hygiene
  • xerostomia
  • removable prosthesis (denture)
• Systemic
  • Immunodeficiency
  • diabetes mellitus
  • antibiotic use
  • steroid therapy (including inhaled steroids)
  • chemotherapy or radiation therapy

3 forms

1. Pseudomembranous – typical form – thrush appearance
   1. White colonies/plaques
   2. can be wiped away leaving a erythematous undersurface
2. Erythematous
3. Chronic hyperplastic – sometimes need biopsy

SSx

• bad metallic taste
• halitosis
  • Consider taking smear/culture to confirm
  • Denture associated – can be a red area on the hard palate
    • Improvement of hygiene
    • Removed during sleep
    • Soak in dilute white vinegar, and then store dry
  • Treatment
    • Children < 2: Nystatin 1mL topically QID after feeding 7-14 days
    • Older: Miconazole gel 2.5ml QID