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 of 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 complication, which has not been described so far after treatment of rhinitis with intranasal topical corticosteroids. Between March 1997 and September 1998, we managed to treat successfully three patients with acute erythematous candidiasis of the pharynx, which was the result of the use of intranasal topical steroids. Mechanism, clinical features of acute pharyngeal candidiasis, differential diagnosis and treatment are discussed.