There is a false opinion that only women suffer from thrush. Candidiasis or thrush is a fairly common fungal (fungi of the genus Candida) disease in men, children and women. These yeast-like fungi for humans are conditionally pathogenic. Mushrooms of this kind are present on the surface of fruits and vegetables, in lactic acid products. Mushrooms of the genus Candida are permanent inhabitants of the skin, oral cavity, rectum and vagina. For the development of candidiasis, the creation of favorable conditions is necessary. One of these is a decrease in the immunological resistance of the body (diabetes mellitus, chronic infectious diseases, oncological diseases, hormonal imbalance).
When the fungus enters the cell, it parasitizes in the cytoplasm and nucleus, which leads to the formation of a necrotic zone around it. Since this fungus often has an intracellular arrangement, it is protected from the action of drugs. This may be the reason for the lack of effectiveness in treatment.
The first signs of thrush in women are manifested in the form of red spots and swelling of the mucous membrane of the vagina and uterus. Often around these spots a milky white film forms, which consists of fungal and epithelial cells. Sometimes such a film has a yellowish tint and a dense texture. With a diagnosis such as thrush, the signs appear in the form of cracks, while the film is torn away, and erosion and manifestations form in its place. Women with this pathology feel acute burning and itching in the genital area.
Representatives of the fair sex should know what is thrush, signs that characterize this disease. Candidiasis must be skillfully differentiated from such insidious diseases as chlamydia and gonorrhea. In women with a diagnosis of thrush, the main signs are manifested in the form of cheesy discharge, which practically does not have an unpleasant odor. A characteristic feature of gardnerellosis and chlamydia is that specific secretions that resemble the smell of rotten fish (trimethylamine) are released from the vagina.
Among people there is an opinion that thrush is a sign of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the secretory activity of the genital glands is activated, so many girls think that they have thrush (the signs appear this way), with a microscopic examination of the smear, there are no mushrooms.
Do not panic, candidiasis is not the worst disease. Most often, thrush in pregnant women after childbirth passes by itself, without therapeutic intervention. If you are diagnosed with thrush, signs may not appear visually. It should be remembered that 40% of babies are affected by thrush during childbirth. Therefore, timely treatment of the expectant mother is the key to the health of an unborn baby.
The decisive factors in the treatment of thrush are timeliness, consistency and an integrated approach to solving this problem. Given that thrush is a fungal disease, antimycotic drugs (antifungal) in the form of vaginal suppositories and ointments are used for treatment. When using these funds, the patient experiences some discomfort, since they are used only locally in the evening before bedtime. In the treatment of vulvovaginitis of candidal origin, topical preparations are prescribed (clotrimazole, isoconazole, miconazole, nystatin). It should be said that therapy using these drugs lasts for a rather long period of time.
Modern treatment is aimed at the use of oral capsules (diflusol, dedoflucon, forkan, mycosyst). The use of such dosage forms has many advantages. Firstly, the effectiveness of such treatment increases significantly; secondly, the patient can take the medicine at any time of the day; thirdly, these drugs are characterized by speed, the main signs of the disease disappear within a day; fourthly, such capsules show a deleterious effect only on fungi and do not affect the saprophytic microflora; fifthly, they do not affect the effect of contraceptives. Difluzole is not recommended for use by people under the age of sixteen and over sixty, during pregnancy and lactation. Treatment of thrush in women and men has its own characteristics. In the treatment of balanitis, balonoposthitis, creams with such an active substance as clotrimazole are prescribed. The course of treatment with daily use of the drug is about a week. Oral drugs (diflazone, mycosyst, flucostat) can also be prescribed.
Prevention of thrush comes down to the appointment of local or systemic antifungal drugs in the treatment of acute and chronic diseases using a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Particular attention should be paid to the choice of underwear. It is best that it be made of natural materials (cotton). Do not use vaginal deodorants, scented swabs, pads, etc. During intercourse, you must use a condom.