Differential diagnosis

• in pseudomembranous variants
  • chemical burns
  • traumatic lesions
  • syphilis
  • leukoplakia
    
    
• in solitary erythematous lesions such as erythematous candidiasis (acute and chronic forms)
  • thermal traumatic lesions
  • erosive lichen planus and lichenoid reactions
  • lupus erythematosis
  • erythema multiforme
  • pernicious anaemia
  • epithelial dysplasia
    
    
• hairy tongue leucoplakia - seen in immunocompromised patients (1)

Reference:

1. Hellstein JW, Marek CL. Candidiasis: Red and White Manifestations in the Oral Cavity. Head Neck Pathol. 2019 Mar;13(1):25-32. doi: 10.1007/s12105-019-01004-6. Epub 2019 Jan 29.