What is the treatment of oral candidiasis in a 20-year-old?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 20 years old. I have been a heavy smoker for a year. I feel a pop in my throat. When I swallow, it comes and goes. I have stopped smoking for a week. I believe it is an oral thrush, as I have bad breath and some white stuff is present on my tongue. I also have a dry mouth and a loss of appetite.

I feel uncomfortable when I swallow. I have done a chest X-ray and checked my oxygen levels. It was good. I have acid reflux every day. I have done a swab test for infections, and the results came back negative. I need your opinion at this point.

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please mention the meaning of pop while swallowing, and whether your food gets stuck while swallowing, or if you have difficulty swallowing. Please attach a picture of the white lesions and mention whether these white patches disappear on their own or persist.

Do follow up with the details for better suggestions.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have seen the attached picture (attachment removed to protect patient identity). You have a white coating. It is due to oral candidiasis. The symptoms of bad breath, sore throat and mouth, difficulty in swallowing, and dry mouth are due to oropharyngeal candidiasis. Smoking and stress are the precipitating factors of thrush.

Please mention whether you are taking any medication or have done a swab test for the throat. Also, please mention whether you have tested the scrapings from the tongue and whether you have taken any antifungals.

Based on your description, acid reflux can worsen these symptoms.

Kindly revert with the above details.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It seems like a globus sensation. I suggest you take lozenges. It helps to ease the dryness. Keep taking sips of water. You can do a fasting blood sugar test. You can take a combination medicine of Pantoprazole and Domperidone for acid reflux. You can also use an antifungal ointment like Clotrimazole mouth paint.

If the sensation does not resolve, then you need to do an endoscopic examination of the throat. Also, I suggest you avoid smoking and eating hot foods, fried foods, and spicy foods, and take a more bland diet.

I hope this helps you.

For more queries, please feel free to reach out to me anytime.

Thank you.