There is a misconception that thrush is exclusively an unhealthy female genitalia. However, it is not. Thrush is a fungal disease that can affect any mucous membranes, both in women and in men. Even children are not safe from this disease. One of its common forms is thrush (candidiasis) of the tongue.
Plaque in the tongue in adults and children is quite common, but with thrush, not only its surface is directly affected, but also other mucous membranes of the mouth. If you start the disease, even internal organs can suffer.
Causes of the disease
The fungus that causes thrush (candida) is present in the body of every person, and in about a quarter of people this fungus "lives" directly in the mouth.
Under certain conditions, it can begin to multiply actively. The most common cause is a decrease in immunity, but other options are possible:
- hormonal disorders;
- language damage:
- abuse of certain drugs;
- dental problems and others.
Also at risk are people suffering from some serious illnesses, such as tuberculosis or AIDS.
Sometimes thrush on the tongue in adults occurs due to insufficient oral hygiene. For young children, the disease is often transmitted during childbirth from the mother.
From person to person, candidiasis is most often transmitted by airborne droplets and through direct contact.
Types of candidiasis
Symptoms and treatment of thrush in the tongue in adults vary depending on the type of disease. The two most common are its varieties:
- Hyperplastic candidiasis. A particularly common form of the disease that is chronic. Deterioration in the patient’s well-being is usually not observed, only red and white spots appear on the tongue. When you try to remove plaque ulceration occurs.
- Atrophic. The tongue with this form becomes abnormally smooth, then plaque and puffiness develops.
Significantly less common are two more forms of candidiasis of the mouth - granulomatous and diamond-shaped.
Symptoms of the disease
In adults, thrush in the tongue often passes without visible symptoms - approximately 50% of patients do not notice the course of the disease.
Obvious signs are manifested mainly in acute forms of the disease or in relapses of chronic forms. The main symptom in both children and adults is plaque in white. Other manifestations of oral candidiasis in adults are as follows:
- the development of a tumor of the tongue and the inner surface of the cheeks;
- pain during eating;
- increased sensitivity of the tongue;
- bleeding may occur when plaque is removed.
With children, the picture is somewhat different. In children, as a rule, not only the tongue suffers, but also other oral mucous membranes.
Redness of the throat occurs, the child can often be capricious and cry, loss of appetite is possible. Also, in children with thrush, cracks in the tongue are often observed . In adults, this is only possible with an advanced degree of the disease or severely weakened immunity.
Complications of thrush of the mouth
In the absence of proper treatment, especially if the disease is asymptomatic, the fungus can spread to other mucous membranes of the body and internal organs. In this case, the treatment is much more complicated. Common complications in adults are glossitis and gingivitis. In children , most often there are seizures and cheilitis
Glossitis
Glossitis can be candidal or atrophic. The first type is nothing more than a more severe form of the course of ordinary thrush. Symptoms are the same, but more pronounced. For example, swelling of the tongue until the appearance of problems with speech. Halitosis and a change in taste are also possible.
Symptoms of atrophic glossitis:
- the tongue becomes smooth, taste buds disappear;
- red spots and ulcerations appear;
- the tongue becomes thinner due to the death of muscle fibers.
This type of complication can be caused not only by candida fungi, but also by herpes, injuries of the oral cavity, as well as streptococcus.
Gingivitis
With gingivitis, the fungus spreads from the tongue to the gums, causing their inflammation and bleeding. This complication is dangerous because it can lead to the development of infections in the gums and dental diseases.
Jams
Most often, this disease affects children aged 5 to 7 years, especially in the presence of problems with teeth. It manifests itself, as a rule, immediately after the development of thrush of the tongue. In the corners of the lips bleeding cracks are formed, covered with a white coating. Lip movements and opening the mouth hurt the baby.
Cheilitis
With this complication, dry lips and a feeling of tightness appear. The red border of the lips swells and becomes wrinkled. Cheilitis can lead to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs if timely attention is not paid to it.
Diagnosis of candidiasis
In the presence of severe symptoms, thrush is easily diagnosed by external examination (except for the initial stage in children).
In some cases, a smear is taken from the surface of the tongue, and in case of complications, a blood test is prescribed for the presence of the disease and antibodies to it. One of the surest signs of the presence of thrush in recent years is considered to be an increased level of glucose in the patient's blood. In some cases, he is sent for examination to a specialist - an endocrinologist or a dermatologist to establish the cause that led to the development of the disease.
Therapy of the disease with traditional means
How to treat thrush in the tongue, the doctor determines based on the results of the examination. With a mild form of the disease, it is enough:
- rinse (with a solution of boric acid or soda);
- medicinal lozenges for resorption ("Decamine" - an antibacterial and antifungal drug);
- ointments or oils ("Kanesten", "Lugol", "Iodinol", sea buckthorn or rose hips).
In more serious cases, especially in adults, thrush in the tongue is treated with antimycotic drugs, the best of which are Nystatin, Levorin and Amphotericin B (the latter is prescribed for especially severe forms of the disease). Another good remedy is Diflucan, a powerful antifungal drug based on the active substance fluconazole. Acceptance of these drugs lasts about two to three weeks, after which the main symptoms of thrush usually disappear. However, it is recommended that treatment be continued for another week to prevent a possible relapse.
A good addition to medication will be some physiotherapeutic procedures, such as electrophoresis.
With a severe neglect of the disease, immunostimulating therapy is prescribed, vitamins can be taken, since weak immunity always leaves a chance for the disease to reappear.
In the case of concomitant diseases (dysbiosis, colitis, diabetes), treatment of candidiasis should proceed in parallel with their treatment.
Folk remedies against thrush
There is a certain range of folk methods for treating thrush in the language of both adults and children who have earned positive feedback from patients. These are various rinses: tincture of calendula and kombucha, carrot juice, viburnum and cranberry juices. It is also recommended to lubricate the oral cavity with juniper tincture and remove white deposits with a cotton swab lubricated with sea buckthorn oil.
Of course, you shouldn’t completely rely on folk remedies - it is best to use them in parallel with the methods of official medicine and only after agreement with the attending physician.
Nutrition during treatment
During the treatment of the disease, it is important to follow an appropriate diet, which will help enhance the therapeutic effect. It is necessary to abandon sweet and rich foods, limit the intake of pickles, smoked foods and fatty foods. It is recommended to consume more dairy products, however, milk itself is contraindicated. You should eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, fresh garlic, which has a strong disinfecting effect, will be especially useful.
Of course, it is highly recommended to stop smoking and drinking alcohol both during treatment and in ordinary life, which is a good preventive measure against both thrush and many other diseases.
Oral candidiasis prophylaxis
The most important measure to prevent thrush is careful oral care.
You should visit the dentist at least twice a year and not start diseases that can trigger the appearance of thrush. In the presence of removable dentures, they should be carefully monitored to prevent the development of the fungus at the place of their connection with the gums.