On the oral mucosa in humans, a small amount of Candida yeast-like fungi is present. However, a decrease in immunity can provoke a sharp growth of fungi. To understand what exactly is a mucosal lesion by pathogens, you need to see a photo of oral candidiasis. The doctor selects the treatment of thrush purely individually, taking into account the patient's age and the characteristics of the course of the disease.
Often, candidiasis is formed in infants and in old age. A risk group can also include people with weakened immunity. Infection in adults can be with a kiss or sexual intercourse with an infected person. In a newborn, candidiasis develops as a result of passage through infected genital tracts.
Classification
Before choosing a treatment for candidiasis of the oral cavity, it is necessary to understand what forms of the disease exist and how exactly they occur. According to the type of course, there may be an acute and chronic form of the disease. The acute type, in turn, is divided into pseudomembrane and atrophic thrush.
Pseudomembrane candidiasis is most common. Breasts are infected with a fungus through the nipple, and older children through the dishes or nipple. The likelihood of infection increases significantly if the baby was born prematurely or suffered an infectious disease. Its course is mostly easy.
Thrush in adults occurs due to weakened immunity, which may be due to diabetes, a lack of vitamins, and malignant tumors. The lesion extends to all mucous membranes of the oral cavity. In the initial stages, plaque is very simple to remove, and a swollen surface is found under it. At much later stages, red bleeding erosion forms.
The acute atrophic form of candidiasis can be an independent disease that occurs while taking glucocorticoids, antibiotics, or as a result of wearing braces. Symptoms and treatment of oral candidiasis of this form are similar to the pseudomembrane form of the disease. This type of thrush is an inflammation that occurs in the tongue, but gum damage can sometimes be observed, which indicates a serious deterioration of the immune system. All signs of thrush appear more vividly. In this case, there is no plaque, but the mucous membrane is very swollen and reddened. This type of lesion can be very easily confused with allergies.
Candidiasis can turn into a chronic form with a decrease in immunity and prolonged use of antibiotics. The chronic hyperplastic type of thrush affects the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. As a result of this, it becomes inflamed and becomes covered with a whitish coating, which can be very easily removed. With a prolonged course of the disease, the plaque begins to thicken, becomes yellowish. In this case, a slightly inflamed and bleeding surface is observed. Without timely and proper treatment, the fungus develops even more and spreads to the internal organs.
The chronic atrophic type of thrush occurs mainly with prolonged wearing of dentures. The fungus spreads to the entire oral cavity, as a result of which patients begin to complain of burning and dryness. The most common form is found in older women.
Causes of occurrence
There are certain triggering factors that cause Candida fungus activity. Among them, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- taking certain medications;
- endocrine system diseases;
- procedures that lead to a deterioration of the immune system;
- frequent trauma to the oral cavity;
- hormonal disorders;
- malnutrition;
- digestive problems.
All these factors lead to the development of candidiasis and are associated with a decrease in immunity. A person with good health who is the carrier of the infection may not get sick, but it infects other people. It is transmitted mainly by contact or by airborne droplets.
Main symptoms
When making a diagnosis, a comprehensive treatment of oral candidiasis is required. A photo of the features of the course of the disease helps determine what the symptoms may be. Among the main features you need to highlight such as:
- the presence of swelling and redness of the oral mucosa;
- white curd coating;
- the formation of milk films or plaques;
- when plaque is removed, pronounced redness and sores are observed;
- a sense of metallic taste;
- burning sensation and itching in the mouth;
- pain while swallowing;
- multiple bleeding wounds;
- temperature rise.
These are only common signs of a lesion of the oral cavity by Candida, so they may not be observed together. By the presence of certain symptoms, you can determine the form of the course of the disease.
Diagnostics
Before treating candidiasis of the oral cavity, it is necessary to carry out a diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on sources such as:
- patient complaints;
- clinical picture;
- scraping microscopy;
- blood analysis;
- blood serum test;
- examination of nails and skin.
If necessary, you may need to consult other specialists, in particular a gynecologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist. After completing the course of therapy, the patient should undergo a re-examination, which will determine how effective the therapy was, and this will also prevent the occurrence of relapses. Those who have at least once encountered candidiasis should definitely take care of the condition of their teeth and regularly undergo a checkup at the dentist.
Treatment features
Oral candidiasis is treated in several different ways. Therapy must be comprehensive, because, in addition to affecting the causative agent of the disease, it is also necessary to strengthen the immune system to increase the protection of the mucous membranes. Basically, for the treatment of even the most advanced stages of thrush, it is enough to consult a pediatrician or therapist, and if the disease has affected the internal organs, then the help of a mycologist will be required.
General treatment for candidiasis of the oral cavity and pharynx is prescribed only after a comprehensive diagnosis. The main goal of such therapeutic measures is the elimination of provoking factors and the treatment of concomitant diseases that lead to a weakening of immunity. General treatment necessarily includes:
- withdrawal of antibacterial drugs if they were taken;
- taking antifungal agents;
- physiotherapy, in particular electrophoresis and ultraviolet radiation.
Treatment of candidiasis of the oral mucosa certainly begins with the use of antifungal drugs. They can be in the form of a suspension, ointments, aerosols. In addition, local therapy is prescribed, which includes:
- taking local antifungal agents;
- the use of antiseptic drugs;
- sanitation of the mucous membranes.
Antiseptics are prescribed mainly in the form of a rinse. Effective treatment of candidiasis of the oral cavity is carried out with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Since the fungus that causes thrush prefers an acidic environment, an unfavorable environment must be created by alkalization. In addition, you can use folk remedies, it is necessary to carry out sanitation of the oral cavity and adhere to a balanced diet.
Treatment of newborns and infants
In infants infected with Candida, feeding must necessarily end with a lubrication of the oral cavity with an aqueous solution of brilliant green, peroxide or “Levorin”, “Nystatin”. Treatment of candidiasis of the oral cavity with “Nystatin” has a very good effect, which is why it is necessary to use it throughout the day to lubricate the mucosa. The procedure can be repeated up to 6 times a day. Candidiasis seizures in infants need to be treated with a solution of silver nitrate.
From birth, you can treat candidiasis of the oral mucosa with such drugs as Levorin, Nystatin, Mycogeptin.
Treatment of children over one year old
A child older than a year needs to wipe the mucous membrane of the oral cavity with baking soda, having previously dissolved 1 tsp. in 1 tbsp. warm water. You can also apply a solution of potassium permanganate, peroxide or brilliant green.
From 3 years old, the child is prescribed a saline solution, a solution of “Cetylpyridine” as a rinse. In addition, systemic drugs are prescribed, in particular, such as Fluconazole and Ketoconazole.
Adult treatment
In the case of self-detection of signs of thrush in the oral cavity, you must definitely contact a doctor who will diagnose it. The treatment of oral candidiasis in adults must necessarily be accompanied by additional measures to strengthen the immune system and the treatment of concomitant diseases. Therapy is carried out in a general and local way. In particular, such drugs are prescribed for the treatment of oral candidiasis:
- Diflucan
- "Nystatin";
- Levotin.
The duration of the course of therapy is generally 10 days. During this period, the doctor prescribes regular resorption of agents such as Decamine, and the use of potassium iodide solution to eliminate dry mouth.
Local therapy for candidiasis is the use of antiseptics to lubricate the oral mucosa. It can be Fukortsin, and rinsing is carried out by such means as Hexoral, Chlorhexidine. Mandatory is the appointment of antifungal agents, in particular, such as “Clotrimazole”, “Nystatin”, “Terbinafine”, “Fluconazole”. Medicines can be in tablet form, as well as in the form of a solution, gel, aerosol, ointment. Systemic treatment of candidiasis of the oral cavity in adults is carried out only if the previous methods of therapy did not bring the desired result.
Among the widest range of antibacterial drugs with antifungal qualities, the doctor prescribes the drug "Fluconazole", which is associated with its good tolerance and long-term preservation in blood plasma. This drug is characterized by the fact that it helps prevent a relapse of the disease.
Folk techniques
Oral candidiasis is effectively treated with folk remedies that help strengthen immunity, and also allow you to control the progress of diseases such as tuberculosis, diabetes, as they weaken the body's immune forces.
Thrush therapy implies the use of anti-inflammatory decoctions for rinsing, taking decoctions and infusions, as well as lotions. Alternative treatment of candidiasis of the oral cavity implies the use of such means as chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort.
A good folk remedy is rinsing with a solution of baking soda. It is useful to rinse your mouth every time after eating food. A beneficial antiseptic effect is rinsed with decoctions of calendula, sage, nettle, oak bark, chamomile.
To soften the plaque and painlessly remove it, you can lubricate the oral mucosa with sea buckthorn oil. Apply it to the affected area 3 times a day. For internal use, an adult can prepare a drink based on sour milk. First you need to stir a glass of yogurt with a clove of garlic. To achieve a positive effect, you need to use carrot, viburnum or cranberry juice for 3-4 weeks.
Rinsing with natural means of the oral cavity not only helps to eliminate the fungal infection, but also improves the immune system. Additionally, affected areas can be lubricated with honey, onion juice, wormwood and garlic. Before conducting such a treatment, you must first remove the upper layer of plaque.
Power Features
Diet is very important in the treatment of candidiasis of the oral cavity. Drinks containing sugar and alcohol must be excluded from the usual diet. Food features include a ban on the consumption of all products that include yeast, and you need to limit the consumption of hot spices, tea, smoked meats and fatty meats.
Diet must include greens, vegetables and fruits. According to reviews of patients suffering from thrush, carrots have very useful qualities. It is recommended to use this root crop for cooking, as well as as a preventive measure. In addition, it is recommended to consume garlic. In the usual diet must be present eggs, liver, cereals, lean fish. Every day you need to consume dairy products, nuts, olive oil.
It is important to remember that when feeding a baby, hot and cold food can cause pain. In addition, eating too hard foods is not recommended.
Prevention and prognosis
Careful measures should be taken in newborns and infants. In order to prevent the occurrence of candidiasis, a pregnant woman must undergo an examination for infection with a fungus. In women, mucus is examined from the mouth, nose and vagina. Fungi can be detected even if there are no symptoms of infection when the infection is worn.
In addition, preventive measures include:
- regular visits to the dentist;
- refusal of tobacco smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- adherence to oral hygiene;
- consumption of dairy products;
- inclusion in the diet of foods high in protein;
- following denture care guidelines.
In addition, as an effective prevention of candidiasis, people with existing oncological diseases must be prescribed an antifungal drug.
With the occurrence of mild and acute forms of the disease, the prognosis is quite favorable. The chronic form of candidiasis is very dangerous for relapses and the development of sepsis, which is why competent treatment is required.