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DOWNSIDES OF INHALED STEROIDS - MORE ORAL THRUSH
Inhaled
steroids can cause a fungal infection of the mouth
cavity called oral thrush or oral candidiasis.
Oral thrush looks like creamy white patches or small
red spots on the tongue, roof of the mouth, gums or
throat (see photograph below). The patches and spots
may be accompanied by cracking, redness, soreness and
swelling at the corners of the mouth. A severe case
can include mouth sores.
While oral thrush can sometimes occur without symptoms,
the most common symptoms are discomfort and burning
of the mouth and throat and an altered sense of taste
(often described as "bad").
Thrush can be treated effectively by liquid or tablet
antifungal medication that dissolves in your mouth.
Patients take this medication three times a day for 5
to 14 days.
1 out of every 100 patients using inhaled steroids will
have an oral thrush than if they were not using inhaled
steroids. 1 out of every 48 COPD patients who do not
use inhaled steroids will develop oral thrush over a
period of one year.
On the left is a picture showing what an oral thrush
looks like. After reviewing the picture we will tell
you about another adverse effect, bruising
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