Candidiasis in the mouth: symptoms of the disease and how to treat thrush

Candidiasis of the oral cavity is an infectious disease caused by yeast fungi of the genus Candida.

These bacteria are considered conditionally pathogenic, since practically all of their life is present in the human body without creating problems.They occur on the nasopharyngeal mucosa, in the vagina, intestines, and also on the skin.However, when favorable conditions for their growth and development occur( reduced immunity), fungi become more active and become agents of infection.

The most common disease affects babies.According to statistics, 20% of babies for a year were ill with thrush , and some of them even at least once.There is an opinion that candidiasis in childhood is easier to tolerate and better treatable.But the infection can occur in adults, especially in the elderly( after 60 years).As a rule, this is due to the use of dentures, under which favorable conditions arise for the active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.

In addition, thrush in adults can develop against a background of reduced immunity.Among the adult population, the disease is most affected by women, as well as men who smoke.

In recent years, the has seen an increase in the incidence of candidiasis of the oral cavity.Experts explain this uncontrolled, and often not entirely justified, intake of medications that reduce immunity and disrupt the balance of microflora.

Kinds of candidiasis of the oral cavity and its causes

There are several forms of thrush:

• Acute pseudomembranous .This form of the disease is the most common.Symptoms: pain in the oral cavity during meals, as well as easily removed white plaque.
• Pseudomembranous chronic .It is often found in people with AIDS or HIV.
• Atrophic acute - affects the tongue.Symptoms: burning, dryness, discoloration of the tongue, pain in the oral cavity, plaque is present only in the deepest folds or it is not at all.
• Atrophic chronic .It is often found in elderly people who use dentures.For this form of the disease is characterized by a mild severity of symptoms, which can be seen only during the replacement of the prosthetic construction.Symptoms: inflammation of the palate, seizures, a feeling of dry mouth, cracks, erosion.
• The defeat of the corners of the mouth may accompany another form of the disease or represent an independent category.Symptoms: seizures with crusts or with a touch of white.
• Hyperplastic chronic .Most often occurs in smokers.Symptoms: dense plaque in the tongue or in the palate.
• Heidelite cheilitis .This is a fairly rare form of candidiasis, expressed in the defeat of the inner side of the lower lip.

Causes of Candidiasis

There are many factors that contribute to the activation of fungi and the development of the disease:

• Taking medications that depress the body's immune system.These are cytostatics and corticosteroids.
• Pregnancy.In this state, the woman has a change in metabolism and hormonal background, and a decrease in immunity is observed.
• Prolonged intake of antibiotics.Such drugs contribute to the disruption of the microflora.And, accordingly, the ratio of microorganisms varies.Resistant to antibiotic bacteria, without having competitors, begin to multiply actively.
• Weakened immune system, deficit of immune cells.
• Associated pathologies: diseases of the digestive and adrenal organs, tuberculosis, HIV.
• Quite often thrush of the oral cavity in adults signals the onset of the development of diabetes.
• Use of dentures, especially when they are unprofessionally installed and injure the oral mucosa.Acrylic constructions can provoke an allergic reaction, which facilitates the penetration of microorganisms into cells.
• Radiation therapy in patients with oncology.
• Dysbacteriosis and deficiency of vitamins of group B, C and PP.
• Oral contraceptives that disrupt the hormonal background, which creates favorable conditions for the growth and development of the fungus.
• Bad habits: drugs, alcohol.These substances help to destroy the balance and reduce immunity.
• Minor mechanical damage to the oral mucosa.They can appear as a result of the impact of damaged teeth or malocclusion.

In addition, candidiasis of the oral cavity can be infected through contact with a sick person .For example, it can happen when using a common toothbrush or dishes, as well as during sexual intercourse and a kiss.

A newborn child may also become a thrush during passage through the mother's birth canal.

Symptoms of development of oral candidiasis

A characteristic feature of oral candidiasis is white plaque in the form of snow flakes covering the mucous membrane and tongue.If a woman suffered from this disease while in a state of pregnancy - no doubt, candidiasis of the oral cavity is found in the newborn child.

The oral form of the thrush does not carry any danger to the sick person, provided that the clinician receives timely treatment and carries out the correct treatment.

In some cases, white plaque formed in the oral cavity, can go to the larynx of the .The tongue can appear sores pinkish red.In addition, the patient has difficulty with swallowing food, there is a feeling of discomfort and pain in the oral cavity, as well as cracks around the mouth, taste sensations disappear and even small bleeding may occur.

In severe forms of disease, the foci of stratification of the plaque take the form of a homogeneous filmy surface, which, after some time, becomes thicker and spreads throughout the oral cavity.

There are following main symptoms of oral candidiasis:

• Increased body temperature;
• pain syndrome;
• sensation of food obstruction and difficulty in swallowing;
• itching and burning of the oral mucosa;
• loss of taste sensations or a sense of metallic taste in the oral cavity;
• plaque is white.

Diagnosis of Candidiasis

Candidiasis is diagnosed by based on the results of laboratory tests of ( quantitative analysis of the degree of oral injury, scraping at the power of a microscope, seeding with candidiasis, and determining the sensitivity of the fungus to medical drugs).

A dentist's examination of the patient's oral cavity allows to reveal the typical lesions of thrush.In some cases, it may be necessary to consult an infectious disease specialist, pediatrician, allergist-immunologist, therapist, endocrinologist.

A specialist may recommend that you undergo an additional examination to confirm the diagnosis.For example, donate blood for analysis to identify certain pathologies associated with oral candidiasis( lack of nutrients, diabetes, etc.).In addition, may be prescribed a biopsy of , that is, taking a sample of the oral mucosa from the affected area for Candida white fungus.

Treatment of oral candidiasis in adults

For the effectiveness of treatment of thrush, specialists perform sanation of the oral cavity, take measures to increase specific and non-specific protection, and recommend a balanced diet.In addition, an additional examination is required from the therapist.Treatment of diseases of visceral candidiasis, as well as generalized candidiasis is carried out by doctors-mycologists.

It should be noted that for the effective treatment of the underlying pathology, it is necessary to diagnose and conduct therapy of concomitant diseases.Such ailments include diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal pathology and leukemia.

General therapy

The following methods are used to treat candidal candidiasis of the :

• is a balanced diet with the intake of a complex of vitamins and a reduction in the amount of carbohydrates.
• To reduce dry mouth, as well as to affect the pathogenic flora, a solution of potassium iodide is used.
• The specialist appoints antifungal drugs( Nystatin, Levorin).Since the tablets are poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, they must first be ground or placed under the tongue until complete resorption.
• A good effect gives a resorption Decamina, which is available in the form of caramel.So-called sweets are placed behind the cheeks and under the tongue.It is not recommended to move the tongue so that the caramels are in the oral cavity as long as possible.
• Diflucan and Amoglucan - for ingestion.
• Iron preparations are also prescribed( Ferroplex, Conferon).
• In addition, during the month, it is recommended to take calcium gluconate, which removes allergy manifestations and has a general restorative effect.As antiallergic drugs are appointed Pipolphen, Dimedrol, Suprastin, Fenkarol.
• To strengthen immunity and speedy recovery, a vaccine is prescribed, and such drugs as Pentoxyl Methyluracil are used.

Local therapy

For the treatment of cheilitis and yeast seizure, is used. Dekaminovaja ointment ( 0,5%), Levorian ointment( 5%) and Nystatin ointment.Ointments should be used alternately.

Red lip rim and oral mucosa are treated with r-rum aniline dyes.

Clothrimazole( 1%) is used to lubricate the mouth and applications. Amphoterectin B ointment( 1%) and Decamine ointment( 0.5%).

Rinse with boric acid( 2%), sodium hydrogen carbonate solution( 2%), borax solution( 2-5%).

How to treat oral candidiasis with folk remedies

There are many recipes for folk medicine that, in combination with traditional methods of therapy, give a good result.

First of all, needs to reconsider the diet, as the diet plays an important role in the treatment of thrush.The food should be balanced with a high fiber content.For the period of treatment, refuse to eat simple carbohydrates( rice, white bread etc.), since such a diet will accelerate the growth and development of the fungus.

Onions and garlic have excellent antifungal properties.Use their combination when preparing food, and also use these ingredients in their raw form as an appetizer for main courses.

To restore the amount of bacteria necessary for the body, products or additives containing probiotic will help.Accumulated as a result of this, healthy microorganisms naturally will save you from candidiasis.

Especially a lot of useful bacteria in yogurt.It includes acidophilus, which belongs to a group of bacteria that help contain fungal growth.In addition, there are special additives with acidophilin, available in the form of capsules.They must be taken up to full recovery several times a day.

The following options are used for rinsing the oral cavity:

• Broth of celandine, juniper, birch buds and chamomile;
• the juice of the viburnum;
• tincture of calendula( 1 tsp of tincture on a glass of water);
• cranberry juice;
• carrot juice.

Affected areas of mucous are lubricated by the following means:

• Broth of oak bark;
• juice of wormwood, celandine, milkweed, garlic or onion;
• spirituous tincture from juniper shoots.

During the whole period of treatment of thrush, it is recommended to eat only semi-liquid and semi-liquid foods.At the end of therapy, it is advisable to adhere to a diet recommended for a few more months.

Do not delay the treatment of candidiasis, because this can lead to the emergence of other, more serious diseases requiring enhanced treatment.Therefore, when the first signs of thrush appear, you should immediately consult a dentist for quality therapy.