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Yeast Infection on the Lips

A yeast infection on your lips and mouth is caused by a common fungus called Candida albicans. The infection, also known as oral thrush or orolabial candidiasis, causes creamy white patches on the lips that can extend into your mouth, tongue, and throat. Lip cracking, redness, and pain are also common.

Oral thrush tends to affect people with weakened immune systems but is also seen in people who smoke, wear dentures, or take antibiotics. Treatments include antifungal creams, lotions, and ointments. Good oral hygiene can go a long way toward preventing oral yeast infections.

This article describes the symptoms and causes of a yeast infection on the lips and mouth. It also explains how oral thrush is diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms of Thrush on the Lips

Oral candidiasis commonly affects the lips, tongue, throat, roof of the mouth, and the lining of the cheeks and back of the lips.

Symptoms of oral thrush include:

White patches on the tongue, throat, and lips

Redness or soreness

Cracks and tiny cuts at the corner of the mouth

Cotton-like feeling in the mouth

Loss of taste

Pain when eating and swallowing

Complications

Oral candidiasis is relatively uncommon in people who are healthy. When it occurs, the infection may be limited to the mouth and be readily treated with antifungals.

However, if a person is severely immunocompromised, a yeast infection might spread from the mouth to the feeding tube (esophageal candidiasis), develop on the skin (cutaneous candidiasis), or even spread through the blood to affect multiple organs (invasive disseminated candidiasis).

These complications are most often seen in people with advanced, untreated HIV.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Unlike vaginal yeast infections, which can be influenced by natural fluctuations in hormones, oral yeast infections are relatively uncommon and should be seen by a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of the infection.

Causes of Lip Fungus

Candida albicans is a naturally-occurring fungus found on the body that the immune system can usually control. But when the immune system is substantially weakened, the fungus can suddenly grow out of control and cause a yeast infection.

Oral candidiasis is common in people with a compromised immune system. This is why it is often referred to as an "opportunistic infection" because it only occurs when a weakened immune system gives it the opportunity to thrive.

Oral thrush can also affect relatively healthy people if the yeast is given the "fuel" it needs to grow, such as high sugar levels in saliva.

Risk factors for oral candidiasis include:

Immunosuppressive conditions like HIV and cancer

Diabetes (in which high salivary sugar promotes fungal growth)

Being very young or very old (both of whom tend to have weaker immune systems)

Immunosuppressive drugs (commonly used for organ transplant recipients)

Oral or inhaled steroids (which also temper the immune response)

Broad-spectrum antibiotics (which alter the balance of bacteria and yeast in the mouth)

Smoking (which also alters the balance of microorganisms in the mouth)

Salivary gland disorders like salivary stones or Sjögren's syndrome

Wearing dentures (particularly if they aren't regularly cleaned)

Eating a high carbohydrate diet (which increases sugar levels in the mouth)

Oral candidiasis is common in adults and children but can also affect babies who don't yet have a fully developed immune system. It's most common in babies under 6 months old.3

Thrush can be passed to the infant during breastfeeding if the nipples are also infected.

Is Oral Thrush Contagious?

Oral thrush is not contagious. The fungus, Candida albicans, is present in the mouth, mucosal tissues, and skin of every human. Candida will only overgrow if the immune system is weak or factors like smoking or antibiotics promote its growth.

How to Prevent Lip Thrush

If you are vulnerable to lip thrush for whatever reason, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:

Stop smoking: Ask your healthcare provider about smoking cessation aids, many of which are fully covered by health insurance.

Use a spacer on inhalers: Spacers are attachments that you place on the mouthpiece of aerosol inhalers. They limit your exposure to steroids and other inhaled drugs and keep them from coating your mouth.

Maintain good oral hygiene: In addition to regular brushing and flossing, you can use an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the host of infectious microorganisms in your mouth.

Clean your dentures regularly: Remove, soak, and brush your dentures daily using a non-abrasive denture cleaning solution and a soft-bristled brush.

Manage your diabetes: This not only means taking your antidiabetes medications as prescribed but also managing your diet, maintaining your ideal weight, and exercising regularly.

Reduce your sugar intake: Even if you don't have diabetes, sugar fuels Candida growth. Make a special effort to cut back on sugary drinks, candies, and any sweet that coats your mouth.

(05/30/2023)
by Very Well Health

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