Ear, Nose & Throat ENT Disorders Thrush How to Treat & Prevent Thrush From Inhalers By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN Facebook Twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Published on May 04, 2022 Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO Facebook Jonathan B. Jassey, DO, is the founding pediatrician at Concierge Pediatrics in Long Island, New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Link Other Causes Prevention Treatment FAQs Thrush is a fungal infection that occurs inside the mouth, causing painful white patches on the tongue and cheeks. The fungus that causes thrush is called candida and is commonly found on our skin and in the environment. Thrush is most likely to affect infants and small children and is rarer in adults. It can be a side effect of corticosteroid inhalers used for asthma and other respiratory conditions. This article discusses the causes, signs, and treatment of thrush, as well as ways to prevent thrush when using a corticosteroid inhaler. MixMedia / Getty Images Signs and Symptoms of Oral Thrush Common signs and symptoms of oral thrush include: Redness inside the mouth White patches on the tongue, cheeks, gums, tonsils, roof of the mouth, or back of the throat Mouth discomfort, soreness, or pain Loss of taste Difficulty swallowing In severe cases, fever (could indicate that the infection has spread beyond the esophagus) Why Is My Tongue White? Oral Thrush and Inhalers Inhaled corticosteroids are frequently prescribed to treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A side effect of these medications is decreased immune function, which can increase your likelihood of developing certain infections, like thrush. Approximately 3% of people who use inhaled corticosteroids get thrush. Other Causes of Oral Thrush In addition to corticosteroids, certain other medications may make you more likely to develop thrush, including hormonal birth control pills and antibiotics. Other medical conditions that may make you prone to thrush include: Diabetes Cancer Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Dry mouth Pregnancy People who smoke and people who do not maintain proper oral hygiene may also be more likely to get thrush. Infants with underdeveloped immune systems are prone to getting thrush while breastfeeding. Causes and Risk Factors of Thrush Preventing Oral Thrush From an Inhaler Practicing good oral hygiene is essential to preventing thrush. Here are some tips to prevent it while using an inhaler: Rinse your mouth out with water or brush your teeth after every inhaler use Brush and floss regularly Avoid high sugar foods or foods that contain yeast Stop smoking Is Thrush Contagious? Treating Oral Thrush Oral thrush can be treated with oral medications, such as flucanazole, or topically with antifungal rinses, such as nystatin, which are usually swished around the mouth and then spit out. Topical medications are often chosen because they are less likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause side effects. It's important to take these medications exactly as prescribed by your provider for the directed length of time. Summary Using inhaled corticosteroids can increase your risk of developing thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth. This is due to the lack of immune response in chronic health conditions like asthma and COPD. It can also be due to a lack of proper oral hygiene. You can decrease your chances of getting thrush by rinsing your mouth out or brushing your teeth after using your inhaler. If you do develop thrush, it can be treated with oral or topical medications. A Word From Verywell While using inhaled corticosteroids can increase your chances of getting thrush, it's not common. It's more important to use your inhaler to manage your chronic respiratory condition, as necessary. If you experience frequent bouts of thrush, talk to your healthcare provider about underlying health conditions that could be causing it. Frequently Asked Questions Will oral thrush go away on its own? In some cases, thrush will go away on its own within a couple of weeks. This is more likely in mild cases or in individuals with healthy immune systems. In more severe cases, mouth discomfort will continue to worsen, and the infection can spread without proper treatment. Thrush can be more difficult to treat in people who have weakened immune systems. How long does it take oral thrush to go away? In most cases, thrush will go away within a couple of weeks. Most medications used to treat thrush should be taken for 10-14 days, although you may feel better much sooner. If so, you still should not stop the medication early. What kinds of inhalers increase your risk of thrush? Inhalers that can increase your risk of getting thrush belong to a class of medications called corticosteroids. Examples include beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, and mometasone. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Dekhuijzen PNR, Batsiou M, Bjermer L, et al. Incidence of oral thrush in patients with COPD prescribed inhaled corticosteroids: Effect of drug, dose, and device. Respiratory Medicine. 2016;120:54-63. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2016.09.015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Henriksen DP, Davidsen JR, Christiansen A, Laursen CB, Damkier P, Hallas J. Inhaled corticosteroids and systemic or topical antifungal therapy: a symmetry analysis. Annals ATS. 2017;14(6):1045-1047. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201612-1043LE Nemours Kids Health. Oral thrush. By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit