People with asthma or COPD can get a fungal infection called oral thrush from their inhalers. The infection occurs because the steroids in the inhaler weaken the immune system in the mouth and throat. Oral thrush can cause discomfort and trouble eating.

Why do steroid inhalers cause thrush?

Inhaled corticosteroids are considered one of the main elements of asthma treatment, and are used to reduce inflammation in the airways. Repeated contact of these steroids with the mucous membranes of the mouth can depress the immune system, leading to an overgrowth of the thrush-causing yeast.

Can an inhaler cause a yeast infection?

It has been shown that 56% of the dose from your inhaler is deposited in the mouth/throat and a mouth rinse promptly can remove 60% of this residue. Yeast infections of the mouth/thrush. The steroid in your combo inhaler may cause candidiasis (yeast) infection in the mouth as a potential side effect.