Oropharyngeal candidiasis

Background

• Typically occurs when the normal host immunity or host flora are disrupted, allowing for overgrowth of Candida albicans.

Risk Factors

• Extremes of age
• Antibiotics
• Corticosteroids
• Immunocompromised (AIDS, immunosuppressant medications)

Clinical Features

• White curd-like plaques that are difficult to remove and leave behind an erythematous base
• Usually painless

Differential Diagnosis

Tongue diagnoses

• Tongue laceration
• Strawberry tongue
• Black hairy tongue
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush)
• Hairy Oral Leukoplakia
• Tongue swelling
  • Trauma
  • Angioedema
    • Hereditary
    • Allergic (ACE)
    • Idiopathic

Management

• Nystatin oral suspension 500,000 units (swish and swallow) QID OR
• Clotrimazole 10mg troches 5x per day OR
• Fluconazole, 100mg PO

See Also

• Tongue Diagnoses