Thrush is a collective term for all diseases caused by fungi of the genus Candida. Doctors refer to this type of fungal infection as candidosis. About 90 percent of thrush in humans is caused by the “white yeast fungus” Candida albicans, more rarely are representatives such as Candida tropicalis or Candida krusei. Here you will find more information about the most common thrush infections.
Thrush – Symptoms and typical localizations
Although the pathogen is always the same, thrush is not a uniform disease. The most varied parts of the body can be affected:
- Mouth and throat (oral thrush)
- Skin and skin folds, in babies often diaper area (Windelsoor)
- esophagus
- Gastrointestinal tract
- external sex organs (vaginal fungus, glans inflammation)
- Fingernails and toenails
- internal organs
Depending on its appearance, thrush can cause symptoms such as redness, pustules, dandruff, whitish deposits on the mucous membranes and a burning, aching or itching sensation.
In most healthy people, Candida albicans can be detected in the oral or intestinal flora. The fungus causes no symptoms. The body’s own defense ensures that it remains at low bacterial counts – the fungus is thus a “colonizer” without health consequences. However, if the immune system is suppressed (especially by drugs or illnesses), the mushrooms multiply almost unchecked – so it comes to thrush. Even if the skin and mucous membranes are sore and injured, the pH changes or certain metabolic values are derailed (for example in diabetes mellitus), this also favors the development of thrush, Especially in babies and the very old and sick people, thrush prophylaxis is important because they are particularly prone to fungal infections.