Candidiasis, or thrush (common), is a fungal disease caused by Candida yeast. In every human body, this fungus is present, but in very small quantities, which is considered the norm. Under the influence of factors such as reduced immunity, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, chronic diseases, a favorable environment is created for the development of the fungus. Its reproduction is proceeding rapidly and in a very short time, which ultimately leads to the manifestation of a disease such as candidiasis in children and adults.
What causes candidiasis?
Most often, a child's candidiasis manifests itself during breastfeeding, since during this period the immunity is still immature. Most of the children become infected from sloppy mothers who have not cured themselves of this disease and infected their child during childbirth.
Also, a child may become infected with thrush through a nipple or a bottle, through the dirt on the hands of a mother or those people who care for him, if hygiene measures are not followed.
After a year of life in a child, candidiasis can also occur in cases where it is often sick, you have to take a large number of antibiotics and other drugs, there are constant stresses, and as a result, a decrease in immunity.
The first foci of the disease appear in the oral cavity, they spread rapidly, affecting other mucous membranes, the skin in the diaper area, most of all in those places where diaper rash most often appears. Candidiasis in children must be treated, it is important not to let it go into a chronic form. In the future, the disease can contribute to the development of inflammation and the occurrence of allergies. All internal organs are at risk, up to and including blood poisoning.
Manifestation of candidiasis in children
The first thing that every mother should know is that in a child candidiasis appears in the mouth in the form of cheesy plaques in the sky and tongue. If you try to remove the plaque, then under it you will notice red inflammation. This type of thrush is called stomatitis. There are three forms of the disease: mild, moderate and severe.
- Light form. Symptoms are limited only by plaque in the mouth. The general condition of the child does not change. If you start a quick and, most importantly, the right treatment, the disease goes away within 7 days.
- The average form. With this form, the child's temperature may rise, but within 37.5 degrees. He loses his appetite, he is naughty, blood may appear during the removal of white plaque. This form of thrush should be treated only in a comprehensive manner, treat the mouth and take antifungal drugs inside. A complete cure can occur after two weeks.
- Severe form. Its first sign is a high temperature of more than 38 degrees. The child refuses food, in the oral cavity plaque in the form of a film that completely covers the entire mouth and goes into the throat. Treatment takes more than two weeks and depends on the proper selection of antifungal drugs.
Congenital candidiasis in children is very common. Symptoms will not be easy to detect, but the main sign is a white coating on the tongue. If you find one in your child, consult a doctor and try to undergo a comprehensive examination to cure candidiasis at the initial stage, without delaying to chronic.
Cutaneous candidiasis
Very often skin candidiasis is manifested in children up to a year in places of folds, where diaper rash is formed. This type of thrush is called candidiasis dermatitis. This type of disease is localized in the inguinal folds or cervical and extends to the back, buttocks and limbs. The delicate skin of a baby is very sensitive to a fungal infection.
Most often, candidiasis in children (photos of the affected areas indicate this), which are older, manifests itself in the oral cavity or around the nail plate, especially in those that often bite the nails.
Intestinal dysbiosis
In most cases, intestinal dysbiosis is caused by Candida fungi. But there is another opinion: intestinal candidiasis in children develops against the background of microflora disturbances, and that is why thrush fungus begins to develop rapidly. In newborns, dysbiosis is also very common, so they should not exclude this disease.
You can detect thrush by taking an analysis for dysbiosis.
Genital thrush
Genital candidiasis occurs in both girls and boys. In girls in the genital area, severe itching and burning, curdled discharge, which indicate that you need to urgently see a doctor and ensure timely comprehensive treatment, are noted.
As for the boys, their genital candidiasis appears as white discharge from the urethra. There may also be swelling and redness of the head and foreskin.
Treatment of candidiasis (thrush)
If you find a white coating on your child, immediately consult a doctor, do not delay the visit. This is necessary so that the doctor quickly determines the diagnosis and decides how to treat candidiasis in children.
The first thing to do is to treat the mucosal lesions with soda solution, which each woman can prepare on her own: in 1 tbsp. warm boiled water dilute 1 tsp. soda. In this solution, moisten the swab and remove all white plaque in the mouth. After well handle the oral cavity. The procedure is repeated after 3 hours.
Treatment of candidiasis in children is also carried out with the Iodinol preparation, nystatin drops or Candide solution, which must be treated the oral cavity several times a day.
Local treatment of candidiasis
As we already said, the first thing to do with stomatitis is to remove white plaque with a soda solution.
Also, in order to kill the fungus in the oral cavity of the child, they use zelenka, methyl blue or Fukortsin (these drugs treat the mucous membrane). Babies are treated with a green dummy and allowed to suck.
You can also treat the mucous membrane with such drugs:
- A solution of sodium tetraborate.
- Miramistin.
- “Clotrimazole” - the mucous membrane is treated with a solution, and cream and ointment can be used in the treatment of skin form of thrush.
- Vaginal suppositories are prescribed only by a doctor.
- Hexoral Spray will help with stomatitis.
- Tea tree oil is an excellent antifungal agent, it helps with stomatitis and skin candidiasis.
If the nails are affected by thrush, then you can use these drugs:
- Iodine solution.
- Sulfur-salicylic, nystatin, levorin and amphotericin ointments.
- Cream "Clotrimazole".
- Ointments "Decamine" or "Mycoseptin".
If your child has candida nails affected, consult a doctor who will select a complex of drugs and help to cure the disease in a short time.
General treatment for thrush
If the skin or mucous membrane is severely affected by thrush, antifungal drugs must be prescribed for oral administration.
You also need to take a probiotic - a bacterial preparation that contains live bacteria that prevent the fungus from growing. They are taken in courses, as the doctor recommends. It is also very useful to drink brewer's yeast, take B vitamins and vitamin C, folic acid. Drugs to increase immunity should be prescribed by a doctor.
Remember: if candidiasis is very strong and cannot be treated for a long time, this is a serious call to examine the child’s immune system. Perhaps he has immunodeficiency, go see an immunologist.
Proper care for affected skin
Favorable conditions in which thrush fungus multiplies rapidly are increased humidity and heat. This is facilitated by the wearing of diapers, diapers and underwear made of fabric into which synthetic thread is added. That is why make sure that the clothes of the child pass the air well, give preference to cotton underwear. Try to leave those areas of the skin that are affected by thrush, open.
Diet for candidiasis
Candidiasis of the oral cavity in children (or any other form) requires not only the right treatment, but also a diet. This will increase the chances of a speedy recovery.
The first thing to do is to limit sugar intake, minimum muffin, honey. It is also better not to drink milk or eat bread with yeast. All of the above products contribute to the propagation of Candida fungus.
A protein diet is recommended, you need to eat more meat, fish and eggs, as well as foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals - vegetables and fruits, especially lemons, carrots and seaweed. If a child wants to eat any of the dairy products, you can give him, but in small quantities.
It should be remembered that treatment of thrush with medicinal preparations in combination with a diet significantly increases the chances of a quick recovery.
Thrush prophylaxis
Candidiasis in children (the photos provided in the article prove this) is a very serious disease that brings a lot of inconvenience not only to the child, but also to the parents. No wonder many doctors say that it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later. That is why it is best to prevent the disease, thereby protecting the child and himself.
So, what can be done for prevention:
- The expectant mother should be examined for the presence of thrush in her body before she is about to become pregnant. If, until this moment, the examination could not be done, and the signs of candidiasis were found already during pregnancy, then you must strictly follow the recommendations of the gynecologist and undergo treatment. The partner of the woman must also undergo examination, if he has thrush detected - undergo treatment.
- It is necessary to observe the hygiene of the dishes from which the baby eats. It is important to monitor the cleanliness of clothing.
- If the baby is breastfed, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the nipple, before breastfeeding, thoroughly wash the breast.
- The selection of complementary foods should also be approached carefully, since if a large amount of sweet is present in the child’s diet, this is a good environment for the development of fungus. It is better to start complementary foods with fruits and vegetables.
- You should change diapers more often and try to leave the child without them most of the day. No need to be lazy to arrange for your child long air baths, they will allow the baby’s skin to dry in folds, and the fungus will not develop.
In a child, candidiasis (thrush) proceeds in a very serious form, the remains of the fungus in the body can affect the internal organs and subsequently crawl out with a serious chronic disease. That is why the treatment of candidiasis in children should be under the supervision of a doctor.
It is important to take care of all precautions and protect your child from infection. Only parents can protect themselves and the baby from such a disease. If it so happened that the child still had it, a quick response and comprehensive treatment will help to completely get rid of the disease in the shortest possible time.