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What Causes Oral Thrush After A Chemo Radiotherapy?
Question: After chemo radiotherapy 7 weeks post treatment my tongue is thickly coated with almost a cheesy like substance, I have been cleaning it as much as I can and the front is looking a lot better but I cannot reach the very back and it seems really thick and makes me constantly gagg and also even more difficult to eat ? I have been using over the last couple of days a mouthwash with hydro peroxide content in
Brief Answer:
Oral thrush
Detailed Answer:
Hi
XXXX
The cheese like substance in your tongue after chemo radiotherapy is called oral thrush
It is caused by candida which is found in the mucous membranes of the mouth. Chemotherapy can cause an overgrowth of the fungus. When the immune system is weakened, as in cancer treatment, the growth of the fungus is not as easily regulated by the body.
Most patients find relief with a topical drug called clotrimazole. It is prescribed as a lozenge, also called a troche. As the lozenge slowly dissolves in the mouth, the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Each lozenge generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes to dissolve and is usually taken five times a day.
Another type of medication, nystatin, is also commonly prescribed in a troche or liquid form. With liquid nystatin, you swish and swallow the medication. Some people report nystatin tasting bitter or acidic, but ask your pharmacist if he or she can add flavoring to it. Mint flavoring is a popular recommendation, as it works well to mask the bitterness.
Fluconazole is another medication used to treat thrush. For people undergoing chemotherapy, it is most often prescribed in a tablet form. Common side effects of fluconazole include headaches, nausea and dizziness. In some cases, Fluconazole may be prescribed to prevent thrush in people undergoing cancer treatment.
Doctors may also prescribe a mouthwash that is a combination of several medications to treat oral thrush. It is often referred to as "Magic Mouthwash" or "Mary's Magic Mouthwash," and consists of a mixture of several different drugs to treat the thrush and also to relieve discomfort caused by the infection.
Hope i have answered your query.
Regards
DR DE
Oral thrush
Detailed Answer:
Hi
XXXX
The cheese like substance in your tongue after chemo radiotherapy is called oral thrush
It is caused by candida which is found in the mucous membranes of the mouth. Chemotherapy can cause an overgrowth of the fungus. When the immune system is weakened, as in cancer treatment, the growth of the fungus is not as easily regulated by the body.
Most patients find relief with a topical drug called clotrimazole. It is prescribed as a lozenge, also called a troche. As the lozenge slowly dissolves in the mouth, the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Each lozenge generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes to dissolve and is usually taken five times a day.
Another type of medication, nystatin, is also commonly prescribed in a troche or liquid form. With liquid nystatin, you swish and swallow the medication. Some people report nystatin tasting bitter or acidic, but ask your pharmacist if he or she can add flavoring to it. Mint flavoring is a popular recommendation, as it works well to mask the bitterness.
Fluconazole is another medication used to treat thrush. For people undergoing chemotherapy, it is most often prescribed in a tablet form. Common side effects of fluconazole include headaches, nausea and dizziness. In some cases, Fluconazole may be prescribed to prevent thrush in people undergoing cancer treatment.
Doctors may also prescribe a mouthwash that is a combination of several medications to treat oral thrush. It is often referred to as "Magic Mouthwash" or "Mary's Magic Mouthwash," and consists of a mixture of several different drugs to treat the thrush and also to relieve discomfort caused by the infection.
Hope i have answered your query.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I had been using the nystan and after looking on th inernet at pictures it did not look like thrush, but the black hairy tongue, but mine is yellow, I feel I am keeping my mouth so clean and wretching every morning to get as far back on my tongue to clean it, I am also not any good at gargling, ( in fact I am totally useless doing any thing with my mouth now as my gagg reflexes seem really heightened )
Brief Answer:
Using tongue scraper with fluconazole
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yellow tongue is a usually benign condition which occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce pigments which cause the tongue to develop a yellow coating. A yellow coated tongue may look slightly alarming, but it does not indicate the presence of a major medical problem except in very rare cases. There are several ways to address a yellow tongue, including improving oral hygiene, using medications to cut down on the bacteria in the mouth, or making diet and lifestyle changes.
People usually develop a yellow tongue when their tastebuds become swollen, creating a rough surface which allows bacteria to adhere and build up pigment. Some common yellow tongue causes include: poor oral hygiene, certain medications, fever, dehydration, and mouth breathing. In addition to being coated in yellowish material, the tongue may look or feel hairy and bumpy.
Immediate treatment of yellow tongue can be as simple as brushing the tongue with a toothbrush or using a tongue scraper. Some people like to brush their tongues with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to bring up the bacteria and remove the pigment, although this is not necessary. People who know that they are sick with a fever or cold which is causing them to breathe through their mouths may opt to wait out the yellow tongue, as it should resolve once the mild illness goes away.
Individuals who smoke or consume lots of tea or coffee may want to moderate their diets if they are bothered by yellow tongue. If there is no apparent reason for yellow tongue, the patient should visit a doctor to have a culture taken to determine which organisms are present.
Candida sometimes colonizes the mouth and causes a yellowish or white coating to appear and so in your case i would advise 1 week course of fluconazole medicine along with simple brushing the tongue with a toothbrush or using a tongue scraper.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr De
Using tongue scraper with fluconazole
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yellow tongue is a usually benign condition which occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce pigments which cause the tongue to develop a yellow coating. A yellow coated tongue may look slightly alarming, but it does not indicate the presence of a major medical problem except in very rare cases. There are several ways to address a yellow tongue, including improving oral hygiene, using medications to cut down on the bacteria in the mouth, or making diet and lifestyle changes.
People usually develop a yellow tongue when their tastebuds become swollen, creating a rough surface which allows bacteria to adhere and build up pigment. Some common yellow tongue causes include: poor oral hygiene, certain medications, fever, dehydration, and mouth breathing. In addition to being coated in yellowish material, the tongue may look or feel hairy and bumpy.
Immediate treatment of yellow tongue can be as simple as brushing the tongue with a toothbrush or using a tongue scraper. Some people like to brush their tongues with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to bring up the bacteria and remove the pigment, although this is not necessary. People who know that they are sick with a fever or cold which is causing them to breathe through their mouths may opt to wait out the yellow tongue, as it should resolve once the mild illness goes away.
Individuals who smoke or consume lots of tea or coffee may want to moderate their diets if they are bothered by yellow tongue. If there is no apparent reason for yellow tongue, the patient should visit a doctor to have a culture taken to determine which organisms are present.
Candida sometimes colonizes the mouth and causes a yellowish or white coating to appear and so in your case i would advise 1 week course of fluconazole medicine along with simple brushing the tongue with a toothbrush or using a tongue scraper.
If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr De
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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