A yeast infection in the mouth of infants and adults is called “thrush.”
It appears as thick white lacy patches that can form anywhere inside the mouth, including the tongue or palate.
If the white patches are scraped away, the area underneath will be red and may bleed. Occasionally, an oral yeast infection can cause the tongue to be red without a white coating.
Older adults often experience thrush under their dentures.
Thrush can be very painful and this can make it difficult to eat and drink, which can lead to dehydration. Any child that goes without drinking liquids for more than 12 hours should be taken to the doctor. The same care should be taken for elderly adults.
Any patient with a compromised immune system, such as people on chemotherapy, AIDS patients and those taking steroid medications, should see their doctor immediately if they see the symptoms of oral yeast infections, or thrush, This infection can also be hit by men yeast infections.