Oral candidiasis is a very common disease. Despite the fact that thrush of the oral cavity is considered a childhood disease, adults are also affected. The disease can hardly be considered dangerous. Nevertheless, patients require proper and timely treatment.
General information about the disease
Candidiasis of the oral cavity in children is quite common. That is why thrush in the mouth is considered to be a childhood disease. Nevertheless, the disease is often diagnosed in adult patients.
The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, which is associated with active reproduction and vital activity of fungi of the genus Candida. The pathological process is accompanied by the formation of a white cheesy coating with a characteristic acidic odor.
Pathogenic fungi can be picked up during kisses, when sharing dishes and household items. A child may become infected by the mother during the birth canal. In fact, candida yeast is part of the natural microflora of the human body. Normally, their number is strictly controlled by the immune system, so microorganisms do not pose a particular threat. But sometimes, for one reason or another, fungi begin to multiply actively, releasing waste products in the tissue - the result of such a process is inflammation, which affects mainly the mucous membranes.
Reasons for the development. Risk factors
Oral candidiasis is certainly associated with fungal activity. Nevertheless, the processes of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms are amplified by certain factors.
The reasons for the change in microflora can be different:
- a decrease in the activity of the immune system (this can happen against the background of a disease or after hypothermia);
- wounds, scratches and other minor injuries of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity;
- wearing dentures, especially if the patient does not follow the rules of hygiene;
- hormonal disorders, in particular adrenal disease, diabetes mellitus;
- pregnancy (this period of a woman’s life is accompanied by changes in the hormonal background and metabolism, as well as a decrease in the activity of the immune system);
- the presence of chronic diseases;
- taking certain drugs, in particular cytostatics and corticosteroids, which inhibit the activity of the immune system;
- long-term antibiotic therapy (antibiotics kill beneficial microflora, but yeast is resistant to their effects);
- the presence of bad habits (smoking, drug use, alcohol abuse);
- radiation and chemotherapy (depresses the immune system);
- violation of the quantitative and qualitative composition of microflora (dysbiosis);
- deficiency of vitamins of group B, as well as ascorbic acid;
- taking hormonal contraceptives.
Of course, in the process of diagnosis it is very important to find out what exactly provoked the development of candidiasis of the oral cavity. If the impact of adverse factors is eliminated, the healing process will be much faster.
Oral candidiasis: photo, description of symptoms
Pathogenic fungi penetrate into the cells of the oral mucosa, where they begin to multiply intensively. This leads to redness and swelling of the tissues, as a result of which the person suffers from constant discomfort, which intensifies during eating or talking.
Symptoms gradually worsen. Whitish films form on the surface of the mucous membranes, a cheesy coating begins to form, which consists of destroyed epithelial cells, fungal pseudo-mycelia, as well as dead bacteria, fibrin, keratin and food debris.
Whitish plaques first form on the inner surface of the cheeks. Gradually, the pathological process spreads to the tissues of the palate, gums, tongue and even tonsils. The skin of the lips is also sometimes covered with white scales. Sometimes inflammation spreads even further - in some patients, candidiasis of the oral cavity and pharynx is diagnosed.
If you try to remove the whitish film, then under it you can find the reddened mucous membrane, on which erosion patches are often formed. Gradually, pathogenic microorganisms penetrate deeper into the mucous tissues, as a result of which they become covered with ulcers. Patients complain of constant discomfort and even pain, which intensifies during drinking and eating, especially when it comes to too hot, cold, salty or spicy foods. If the process has spread to the throat, then difficulties arise during swallowing.
In some cases, against the background of the activity of microorganisms, an increase in body temperature is observed. Symptoms of general intoxication are possible, in particular nausea, weakness, muscle pain, drowsiness.
Forms and types of disease
Candidiasis of the oral cavity can take various forms. For example, if we take into account the peculiarities of the course, then an acute and chronic form of the disease is distinguished.
Depending on the location of the pathological process, candidal stomatitis, gingivitis, tonsillitis, glossitis, cheilitis are distinguished. From the point of view of clinical and morphological features, atrophic, hyperplastic, pseudomembranous and erosive-ulcerative forms of the disease are distinguished.
Diagnosis of candidiasis
Diagnosis of candidiasis of the oral mucosa is rarely associated with any complications. As a rule, an examination of the oral cavity and the presence of certain symptoms to the doctor is enough to suspect the presence of thrush.
Further studies are ongoing. For example, a specialist needs to determine the degree of spread of the inflammatory process - often there is candidiasis of the oral mucosa and pharynx, which is already more difficult to treat.
In addition, microscopic studies of samples taken during scraping are performed - during the procedure, a specialist can detect fungal cells. Bacteriological sowing is also carried out. This procedure takes about 6-7 days. Nevertheless, this is the only way to accurately determine the type of pathogen, check the tissue for the presence of a secondary infection, and also test certain drugs on the culture of pathogenic microorganisms, evaluate the effect of the drugs.
Candidiasis tablets
Treatment of candidiasis of the membranes of the oral cavity must be comprehensive. First of all, patients are prescribed antimycotic agents that help to cope with a fungal infection not only in the mouth, but also in the tissues of other organs.
- Polyene antibiotics, in particular Levorin and Nystatin, are considered effective. As a rule, such tablets are taken within 10-14 days 4-6 times a day. According to statistics, a noticeable effect can be seen after 5 days.
- Imidazoles are often used, in particular Clotrimazole, Econazole and Miconazole.
- In the most severe cases, Amfoglucamina tablets or Amphotericin injection solution are used.
- "Fluconazole" for candidiasis of the oral cavity also gives good results.
- Medicines such as Diflucan and Nizoral stop the growth of fungi and block the processes of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Vitamin complexes are necessarily prescribed to patients (in particular, vitamins B 2 , B 6 , PP and C are considered useful), which help strengthen the body's natural defense and also restore metabolic processes.
- Antiallergic drugs are also used. Medicines such as Fenkarol, Suprastin help relieve swelling, redness, itching and other unpleasant symptoms.
- Candidiasis is accompanied by impaired iron metabolism. That is why iron preparations are often included in the treatment regimen, in particular, Conferon and Ferroplex.
Means for local treatment
Systemic drugs certainly help to cope with a fungal infection. But patients also need local treatment, which allows you to speed up the healing process, remove the main symptoms of the disease, clean the mucous membranes of the oral cavity from fungi, and activate tissue regeneration processes. Most often, the following groups of agents are used to treat affected tissues.
- Aniline dyes have antiseptic properties, dry damaged tissues, and are also considered quite safe (the most effective are brilliant green, methylene blue, and also a solution of fucorcin).
- Many doctors recommend the use of drugs, the main active component of which is iodine. Applications with a solution of lugol, as well as "Iodicirin" will be effective. Iodine has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, helps speed up the healing process.
- In medical practice, such agents as Lysac and Lysozyme are often used - they are available in the form of lozenges and have bactericidal properties.
- If we are talking about cheilitis (in this case, candida fungi affect the skin of the lips, lead to the appearance of jam), then levorin or nystatin ointment is used.
During treatment, it is extremely important to adhere to the rules of hygiene, regularly clean the oral cavity from the pseudomycelia of mushrooms, cheesy plaque and food debris. That is why doctors recommend rinsing your mouth with disinfectant and alkaline solutions. For such procedures, apply:
- 2% sodium tetraborate solution;
- iodinol solution with water;
- weak solution of baking soda;
- 2% boric acid solution.
Rinses should be done after each meal, but no less than every 2-3 hours. Be sure to clean the mucous membranes of the oral cavity before going to bed. The course of treatment in this case lasts at least 7-14 days. Rinse should be continued, even if the symptoms of thrush began to disappear.
Diet for candidiasis of the oral cavity
Often, the use of medications is sufficient to eliminate the cause of the ailment. But there are times when you can not do without correction of the diet and menu. So, the treatment of candidiasis of the oral mucosa necessarily includes a diet. A well-formed diet helps significantly accelerate the process of therapy. The nutrition rules in this case are quite simple:
- It is important to temporarily exclude yeast from the diet, as well as pastries, sweets and other sweets. Such food is an excellent substrate for the active propagation of fungi.
- In addition, it is worth abandoning products that irritate an already injured mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Under the ban mushrooms, fatty varieties of fish and meat, smoked meats, pickles, spices, mayonnaise, ketchup, spicy sauces, coffee and tea, carbonated drinks.
- At the same time, it is important to saturate the body with the right amount of nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Unsweetened fruits and berries, fresh juices, fruit drinks, vegetables and greens, herbal teas, low-fat meats and fish, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils (in particular olive, coconut), dairy products will be useful.
If we are talking about oral candidiasis in adult patients, then they are recommended to adhere to a sparing diet for another 3-12 months after the end of drug therapy.
Traditional medicine: home-made medicines
Of course, it is possible to alleviate the patient’s condition with the help of home-preparation. Of course, the use of medicines made according to popular recipes is possible only with the permission of a doctor.
- For rinsing, you can use alcohol tincture of calendula (it is sold in pharmacies). This plant contains useful essential oils, as well as volatile and antibiotics of plant origin. A teaspoon of calendula tincture should be diluted in a glass of water (it is better to take boiled water for this) - the tool is used to rinse the mouth. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times a day.
- St. John's wort decoction helps relieve inflammation, stimulates the healing process of wounds, and also has antimicrobial properties. Preparing the medicine is simple: a tablespoon of dry plant material (St. John's wort can be obtained at the pharmacy) is poured with a glass of water, and then boiled for ten minutes. The solution should be infused and cooled, after which it must be filtered. Rinsing the oral cavity is recommended 5-6 times a day.
- Vegetable oils are used for applications. Useful are olive and sea buckthorn, as well as rosehip oil. A small gauze cloth should be soaked with oil, after which a compress should be applied to the affected area of the mucous membrane, leaving for 10-15 minutes. The procedure is recommended to be repeated daily for two weeks.
- Aloe liniment is sometimes used for applications.
- To rinse the mouth, decoctions of chamomile flowers, as well as parsley root and dill seeds are used. All these plants have anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, accelerate the healing process of wounds.
- Some folk healers recommend using honey. A teaspoon of natural thickened honey should be carefully and slowly absorbed. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times a day. By the way, it is recommended to extend the therapy to 20-30 days. Of course, the symptoms of thrush by that time will completely disappear, but honey will help restore tissue and prevent the development of relapses.
Preventive actions
Candidiasis of the oral mucosa is a very common disease. Of course, it is well transmitted to medical treatment, but it brings a lot of discomfort to the patient's life. Adhering to certain rules can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing candidiasis.
- It is very important to properly care for the oral cavity, follow the rules of hygiene. If a person uses dentures, then do not forget that such devices should be stored in a special solution. Carious teeth should respond to therapy on time.
- Twice a year it is worth visiting a dentist even in the absence of any symptoms. Preventive examinations allow you to identify certain problems in time.
- Proper diet is also important. If possible, sweets and other products containing glucose should be excluded from the diet, but foods high in protein should be included in the menu.
- It is recommended to give up alcohol and smoking.
- You can not arbitrarily take antibiotics, since such drugs affect primarily the state of microflora.
Having noticed the symptoms of candidiasis of the oral cavity, you need to contact a specialist. The sooner therapy is started, the faster the healing process will go.