Oral white + red patches

Question 1

Oral candidiasis

Answer 1

commonly occurring infection with Candida albicans fungus, producing a transient white patch which can be wiped off the oral mucosa to leave raw looking area beneath:

Question 2

1.

Answer 2

often occurs following use of broad spectrum antibiotics, which disturbs normal microorganism balance in body + allows over growth of fungus

Question 3

2.

Answer 3

also occurs in immune-compromised pts + those seriously ill with systemic disorders + also pts using long term steroid inhalers such as asthmatics

Question 4

Leukoplakia

Answer 4

white patch no obvious cause + cannot be removed from mucosa by wiping:
often white striae on buccal mucosa or tongue, similar to lichen planus
regarded as potentially premalignant condition, although sometimes no sinister consequences
particularly associated with smoking + heavy alcohol intake

Question 5

Erythroplakia

Answer 5

red patch on oral mucosa, in isolation or sometimes adjacent to an area of leukoplakia + regarded as sinister sign of premalignancy of the soft tissues involved

Question 6

Lichen planus

Answer 6

a chronic mucosal disease that affects skin + oral mucosa + presents itself in form of lesions or papules (as in chicken pox)

Question 7

Kaposi’s sarcoma

Answer 7

a tumour caused by human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) associated herpes virus (KSHV). become more widely known as one of the aids defining illnesses in 1980s advances cases
although is now known to be viral infection, there is widespread lack of awareness - presents as red/blackish lesion

Question 8

Hairy tongue

Answer 8

a rare condition caused by elongation of taste buds
can be caused by poor oral hygiene, chronic oral irritation or smoking. trt involves:
-good oral hygiene
-brushing of the tongue
-mouth rinses
-sometimes trimming of elongated papilla on the tongue