Candidiasis is considered one of the unpleasant diseases that affect all people, regardless of gender or age. Children most often suffer from an unpleasant infection manifested in the oral cavity. In adults, as a rule, there are other forms of the disease. Consider what thrush is, and what needs to be done to get rid of this problem.
What is candidiasis?
Cheilitis, as they still classify this ailment, is simply called by the people - "thrush." On the lips, it does not occur as rarely as it might seem at first glance. This is a kind of fungus that causes considerable discomfort, significantly spoils the appearance of a person. It is difficult and long to treat the disease, like any other infection. The patient is required only full compliance with all the recommendations of the doctor. But even a successful cure does not guarantee protection against relapse.
Causes
Candidiasis is provoked by fungi. Many believe that in adults, thrush on the lips appears much less often than in babies. To some extent this is true, but it cannot be said that everyone who has already come out of childhood can be calm and not worry. In adults, this disease is also common. If you do not start treatment on time, you can wait for severe complications.
Many confuse thrush with herpes. At a minimum, they are similar in that they do not cause discomfort at the initial stage. Thrush differs from herpes in one nuance: in a week the second disease, as a rule, goes away, while candidiasis only intensifies.
The causes of thrush on the lips are the same as any other problems of an infectious nature. In the body, each person "lives" a certain amount of certain fungi. As soon as the immune system ceases to cope with all its functions, the body weakens. After this, the yeast infection begins to affect human organs. The reasons why immunity can weaken a lot. Among them, the most common are distinguished:
- taking antibiotics and other similar drugs;
- stress;
- depression;
- improper hygiene;
- hypothermia;
- HIV AIDS);
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- hormonal changes.
Microtrauma on the lips can also cause infection.
Causes of the disease in newborn babies
Thrush on the lips of infants, as a rule, appears after contact with the mother during feeding. However, there are other reasons for this problem. These include:
- Improper hygiene.
- Premature babies are at risk.
- Poor immunity.
- Hormonal problems.
Almost 60% of all newborns in the first year of life suffer an acute form of thrush.
Infection occurs due to the fact that children have the habit of pulling everything in their mouths. A good preventive method will be the treatment of all things surrounding the child. It must be remembered that the disease will make the baby moody, there will be problems with sleep and appetite.
External features
To get effective treatment for thrush on the lips, you need to notice the disease in time. Therefore, it is important to be able to recognize the problem and distinguish it from herpes. To date, there are three types of thrush:
- Stomatitis. This form of candidiasis causes ulcers. They are formed on the inside. During the meal there is pain, discomfort.
- Jams. A type of thrush is formed in the corners of the mouth. As a rule, only a certain area of the lips suffers. Formations hurt and interfere with eating. Such candidiasis appears with injuries received during the examination by the dentist. Often this thrush affects children who like to suck their fingers. Patients with malocclusion are at risk.
- Cheilitis. This form is similar to herpes. The patient suffers from the lower lip. Spots, plaque and bubbles with liquid appear.
For each person, the disease can occur in completely different ways. For some, there is only one form, for others - just three. The patient may have a burning sensation. During eating and talking, this sensation intensifies. After a while, a white coating appears on the cheeks, lips, tongue. Ulcers form under it. If at this stage you do not provide medical assistance, the layer will become denser and will become like a curd mass. If the patient wants to clean it, blood will go. The affected lesion may bleed even while eating.
It is important to consult a doctor immediately. He will be able to choose the right treatment and prevent complications. If the disease is launched, the fungus will lower. This is fraught with problems with the esophagus, larynx and stomach. As a result, men will have prostate candidiasis, women will have thrush on the labia.
Symptomatology
With candidiasis, cracks can appear in healthy areas. White plaque spreads to the tongue and cheeks. Thrush on the lips, in addition to external manifestations, has other kinds of symptoms.
The patient develops itching in the infected area, discomfort that increases when swallowing, lowering body temperature, problems with appetite, weakness of the body. A feeling of overwhelming may occur. Manifestations vary depending on the form of the disease.
Pseudomembranous form
It is observed at the very beginning of the development of the disease. Manifested by the appearance of a white hue. It occurs in the sky and other parts of the mucous membrane. At first it looks like white grains, over time, a curd film appears. The foci begin to merge into one large, completely covering the mouth, throat and lips. The pain does not bother. It can occur only when injuring a painful area.
This form most often occurs in people who have AIDS. It practically does not lend itself to treatment. The film is difficult to remove. Under it are ulcers, wounds and erosion.
Erythematous form
This form occurs after the previous described one begins to progress. The fungus spreads to the tongue. The entire mucosa is covered with smooth red spots. The tongue becomes a deep red hue. The patient has a burning sensation, swelling, pain, dry mucous membrane, discomfort when eating and moving the tongue. This form often occurs in people who wear dentures.
Treatment
How to treat thrush on the lips? To completely get rid of the problem, it is better to use several drugs at once. Only an integrated approach will help overcome the disease. It is allowed to use alternative recipes, but they must first be agreed with the attending physician.
Therapy is based on the use of antimycotic drugs. The dosage and the medicine itself is prescribed depending on the patient’s state of health, degree of damage.
Most often, doctors recommend Pimafucin, Fluconazole, Meoflucon. The first drug is taken one tablet 4 times a day for no more than 20 days. This remedy is prescribed if there is a risk of the spread of the disease to other organs. The cost is about 300 rubles.
"Fluconazole" is the cheapest medicine. It can be bought for less than 100 rubles. You need to take it once. In emergency cases, prescribe a course.
It is considered an effective medicine "Medoflucon", which costs about 500 rubles. Treatment lasts no more than 14 days. Dosage no more than 100 mg. You need to take this drug no more than 1 time per day.
A mandatory procedure, especially if lips are swollen due to thrush, is to treat them with an antiseptic. Otherwise, the disease will cover the entire surface and a wound will form. You can use "Lugol", "Chlorhexidine" in the treatment. Processing should be done several times a day.
The doctor may prescribe immunostimulating drugs that contain vitamins and iron. Thanks to this, immunity will become stronger.
The fungus can be affected internally or externally. Therefore, experts advise not only to take drugs and follow a diet, but also to treat lips with ointments. The last recommendation will help reduce the effects of the fungus and heal wounds. White plaque must be removed in any case. It is allowed to rinse your mouth with a solution of soda.
Diet
In order for an adult and a child to have thrush on their lips for a minimum period, it is important to follow a diet. It is an integral part of therapy. By following certain rules, you can reduce the growth rate of the fungus. It will also enhance the effect of medicines. If you follow all the recommendations, you can quickly recover and reduce the likelihood of complications and relapses.
You should eat more fresh vegetables and dairy products. It is necessary to refuse alcohol and smoking for the duration of therapy. No need to drink coffee, tea and carbonated drinks. It is better to give preference to herbal tinctures and distilled water. When cooking, you should refuse to fry. It is better to cook or steam products. Before eating, all vegetables and fruits must be washed. From sweets, pastries, spicy, salty, smoked, pickled, you need to refuse, since they provoke the growth of the fungus. Sweet fruits and cereals, in which the glycemic index is high, are also better to exclude from the diet.
If you follow these rules, as well as start treatment on time, the result will be noticeable quickly enough. No need to self-medicate, preferring traditional medicine. Even if the patient manages to reduce the symptoms, this does not mean that the thrush will not return with more severe manifestations.
Preventative measures
To avoid the appearance of thrush on the lips of a child and an adult, preventive measures must be taken. Candidiasis, although considered an unpleasant disease, can be easily prevented.
Experts recommend observing the rules of oral hygiene. No need to use someone else's toothbrush. Despite the fact that antibacterial rinses perform their function well, they destroy the microflora of the mouth - it is better to use them as little as possible. After such funds, fungi and bacteria will multiply at great speed. No need to postpone the trip to the dentist if there are any prerequisites for the disease. Teeth should be treated on time and stones removed. This will keep your oral cavity healthy. Need to rethink your diet. It must be correct and balanced. Antibiotics should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor, not exceeding the dosage and not prolonging the course yourself. Ideally, you need to abandon bad habits. Immunity should be strengthened with vitamins and exercise.
These rules will help not only to prevent the development of thrush on the lips, the photo of which is disgusting for many, but also other diseases of this type.
Prevention in children
In children, both very young, and already in older adults, thrush can occur. To avoid this, you need to monitor the child. All surrounding objects should be either cleaned away or treated with antiseptics. So that newborns do not have thrush on their lips, they should carefully wash their nipples and bottles. As a rule, they are the sources of infection. Doctors advise washing all devices under hot water with baby soap. This will reduce the risk of thrush.
Milk and mixtures should be stored in the refrigerator so that bacteria do not multiply in them.
Summary
Thrush on the lips is easier to prevent than subsequently engaging in her therapy, which will have to spend a lot of money, time and effort. Therefore, it is better to follow preventive measures so as not to worry about infection.
If symptoms of candidiasis appear, you should immediately consult a specialist to confirm or refute fears.