What is “thrush mouth” and how can I avoid it?
Thrush, or thrush mouth, is the popular term for a yeast infection (candida albicans) in the back of throat. The major symptom of thrush is a white film located at the back of the throat and tonsil area. It is usually cured by the use of an antifungal mouthwash. Thrush is a very common side effect of taking inhaled corticosteroids, since steroids alter the local bacteria and fungal population of the mouth, enhancing fungal growth. The way to avoid this complication is to ensure that the back of the throat doesn’t remain coated with corticosteroid after use of the inhaler, either by using a spacer or by rinsing the mouth very thoroughly afterwards. Unfortunately, some people still get it even when they are very thorough about rinsing.
