Acute candidiasis of the oro- and hypopharynx as the result of topical intranasal steroids administration

Topical nasal steroids have become increasingly popular for the treatment o f allergic and other types of rhinitis. However, undesirable local effects of intranasal steroids, such as nasal irritation and burning, crusting and epistaxis are quite common. Candidiasis of the pharyngeal mucosa is a compl ication, which has not been described so far after treatment of rhinitis wi th intranasal topical corticosteroids. Between March 1997 and September 1998, we managed to treat successfully thr ee patients with acute erythematous candidiasis of the pharynx, which was t he result of the use of intranasal topical steroids. Mechanism, clinical fe atures of acute pharyngeal candidiasis, differential diagnosis and treatmen t are discussed.