Oral candidiasis is a very common disease. Despite the fact that oral thrush is considered a childhood disease, adults are also susceptible to it. The disease can hardly be considered dangerous. However, patients require proper and timely treatment.
General information about the disease
Oral candidiasis in children is quite common. That is why thrush in the mouth is considered to be a childhood disease. Nevertheless, the disease is often diagnosed in adult patients.
The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, which is associated with the active reproduction and vital activity of fungi of the genus Candida. The pathological process is accompanied by the formation of a white cheesy plaque with a characteristic sour smell.
Pathogenic fungi can be caught while kissing, while sharing dishes and household items. The child can become infected from the mother during the passage of the birth canal. In fact, yeast fungi of the genus Candida are part of the natural microflora.human body. Normally, their number is strictly controlled by the immune system, so microorganisms do not pose a particular threat. But sometimes, for one reason or another, fungi begin to actively multiply, releasing waste products into the tissues - the result of this process is inflammation, which affects mainly the mucous membranes.
Reason for development. Risk Factors
Oral candidiasis is definitely associated with fungal activity. Nevertheless, the processes of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms increase under the influence of certain factors.
The reasons for the change in microflora can be different:
- decrease in the activity of the immune system (this can happen against the background of some kind of disease or after hypothermia);
- wounds, scratches and other minor injuries of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity;
- wearing dentures, especially if the patient does not follow the rules of hygiene;
- hormonal disorders, in particular adrenal disease, diabetes mellitus;
- pregnancy (this period of a woman's life is accompanied by changes in hormonal levels and metabolism, as well as a decrease in the activity of the immune system);
- presence of chronic diseases;
- taking certain drugs, in particular cytostatics and corticosteroids, which inhibit the activity of the immune system;
- long-term antibiotic therapy (antibiotics kill beneficial microflora, but yeasts are resistant to their effects);
- availabilitybad habits (smoking, drug use, alcohol abuse);
- radiation and chemotherapy (depresses the immune system);
- violation of the quantitative and qualitative composition of microflora (dysbacteriosis);
- deficiency of B vitamins and ascorbic acid;
- taking hormonal contraceptives.
Of course, in the process of diagnosis it is very important to find out what exactly provoked the development of oral candidiasis. If you eliminate the impact of adverse factors, then the recovery process will be much faster.
Oral candidiasis: photo, description of symptoms
Pathogenic fungi penetrate the cells of the oral mucosa, where they begin to multiply intensively. This leads to redness and swelling of the tissues, as a result of which the person suffers from constant discomfort, which is aggravated by eating or talking.
Symptoms gradually getting worse. Whitish films form on the surface of the mucous membranes, a curdled plaque begins to form, which consists of destroyed epithelial cells, pseudomycelium of fungi, as well as dead bacteria, fibrin, keratin and food debris.
Whitish plaques first form on the inside of the cheeks. Gradually, the pathological process spreads to the tissues of the palate, gums, tongue and even tonsils. The skin of the lips is also sometimes covered with white scales. Sometimes the inflammation spreads even further - some patients are diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal candidiasis.
If you try to take offwhitish film, then under it you can find a reddened mucous membrane, on which areas of erosion are often formed. Gradually, pathogenic microorganisms penetrate deeper into the mucous tissues, as a result of which they become covered with ulcers. Patients complain of constant discomfort and even pain, which increases during drinking and eating, especially when it comes to too hot, cold, s alty or spicy foods. If the process has spread to the pharynx, then difficulties appear during swallowing.
In some cases, against the background of the activity of microorganisms, an increase in body temperature is observed. Symptoms of general intoxication may appear, in particular nausea, weakness, muscle pain, drowsiness.
Forms and types of disease
Oral candidiasis can take many forms. For example, if we take into account the characteristics of the course, then we distinguish between acute and chronic forms of the disease.
Depending on the location of the pathological process, candidal stomatitis, gingivitis, tonsillitis, glossitis, cheilitis are distinguished. From the point of view of clinical and morphological features, atrophic, hyperplastic, pseudomembranous and erosive-ulcerative forms of the disease are distinguished.
Diagnosis for candidiasis
Diagnosis of candidiasis of the oral mucosa is rarely associated with any complications. As a rule, an examination of the oral cavity and the presence of certain symptoms to the doctor is enough to suspect the presence of thrush.
More research is being done in the future. For example, a specialist needs to determine the degree of spread of the inflammatory process - often there is candidiasis of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx, which is already more difficult to treat.
In addition, microscopic examinations of samples taken during scraping are carried out - during the procedure, a specialist can detect fungal cells. Bacteriological culture is also carried out. This procedure takes about 6-7 days. Nevertheless, this is the only way to accurately determine the type of pathogen, check tissues for the presence of a secondary infection, as well as test certain drugs on a culture of pathogenic microorganisms, and evaluate the effect of drugs.
Pills for candidiasis
Treatment of oral candidiasis must be comprehensive. First of all, patients are prescribed antimycotic agents that help to cope with a fungal infection not only in the mouth, but also in the tissues of other organs.
- Polyene antibiotics are considered effective, in particular Levorin and Nystatin. As a rule, such tablets are taken for 10-14 days, 4-6 times a day. According to statistics, a noticeable effect can be seen after 5 days.
- Imidazoles are often used, in particular Clotrimazole, Econazole and Miconazole.
- In the most severe cases, Amphoglucamine tablets or Amphotericin injection solution are used.
- "Fluconazole" with oral candidiasis also gives good results.
- Medicines such as Diflucan and Nizoralstop the growth of fungi, block the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Patients must be prescribed vitamin complexes (in particular, vitamins B2, B6, PP and C are considered useful), which help to strengthen natural protection of the body, as well as restore metabolic processes.
- Antiallergic drugs are also used. Medicines such as "Fenkarol", "Suprastin" help relieve swelling, redness, itching and other unpleasant symptoms.
- Candidiasis is accompanied by a violation of iron metabolism. That is why iron preparations, in particular, Conferon and Ferroplex, are often included in the treatment regimen.
Topical treatments
Systemic drugs certainly help to cope with a fungal infection. But patients also need local treatment, which can speed up the healing process, relieve the main symptoms of the disease, cleanse the mucous membranes of the oral cavity from fungi, and activate tissue regeneration processes. Most often, the following groups of agents are used to treat affected tissues.
- Aniline dyes have antiseptic properties, dry out damaged tissues, and are also considered quite safe (brilliant green, methylene blue, and fucorcin solution are considered the most effective).
- Many doctors recommend the use of funds, the main active component of which is iodine. Applications with Lugol's solution will be effective, as well as"Yodicyrin". Iodine has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and helps speed up the healing process.
- In medical practice, drugs such as Lizak and Lysozyme are often used - they are available in the form of lozenges and have bactericidal properties.
- If we are talking about cheilitis (in this case, candidal fungi affect the skin of the lips, lead to the appearance of jam), then levorin or nystatin ointment is used.
During treatment, it is extremely important to adhere to the rules of hygiene, regularly clean the oral cavity from pseudomycelium of fungi, cheesy plaque and food debris. That is why doctors recommend rinsing your mouth with disinfectant and alkaline solutions. For such procedures apply:
- 2% sodium tetraborate solution;
- iodinol solution with water;
- weak solution of baking soda;
- 2% boric acid solution.
Rinsing should be done after each meal, but at least every 2-3 hours. Be sure to clean the mucous membranes of the oral cavity before going to bed. The course of treatment in this case lasts at least 7-14 days. Rinsing should be continued even if the symptoms of thrush begin to disappear.
Diet for oral candidiasis
Often, the use of medicines is enough to eliminate the cause of the disease. But there are times when you can’t do without correcting the diet and menu. So, the treatment of candidiasis of the oral mucosa necessarily includes a diet. Properly formulated diet helps to significantly speed up the process.therapy. The nutrition rules in this case are quite simple:
- It is important to temporarily exclude yeast from the diet, as well as pastries, sweets and other sweets. Such food is an excellent substrate for the active reproduction of fungi.
- In addition, it is worth giving up products that irritate the already injured oral mucosa. Mushrooms, fatty fish and meat, smoked meats, pickles, spices, mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauces, coffee and tea, carbonated drinks are banned.
- At the same time, it is important to saturate the body with the right amount of nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Unsweetened fruits and berries, fresh juices, fruit drinks, vegetables and herbs, herbal teas, low-fat meats and fish, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils (especially olive, coconut), sour-milk products will be useful.
For oral candidiasis in adult patients, it is recommended that they follow a light diet for another 3-12 months after the end of drug therapy.
Traditional Medicine: Homemade Medicines
Of course, it is possible to alleviate the patient's condition with the help of home preparations. Of course, you can use medicines made according to folk recipes only with the permission of a doctor.
- For rinsing, you can use alcohol tincture of calendula (it is sold in pharmacies). This plant contains useful essential oils, as well as phytoncides and antibiotics of plant origin. tea rooma spoonful of calendula tincture should be diluted in a glass of water (it is better to take boiled water for this) - the product is used for rinsing the mouth. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times a day.
- Decoction of St. John's wort helps relieve inflammation, stimulates the healing process of wounds, and also has antimicrobial properties. Preparing the medicine is simple: a tablespoon of dry plant materials (St. John's wort can be purchased at a pharmacy) is poured into a glass of water, and then boiled for ten minutes. The solution must be infused and cooled, after which it must be filtered. It is recommended to rinse the mouth 5-6 times a day.
- Vegetable oils are used for applications. Olive and sea buckthorn, as well as rosehip oil are considered useful. A small gauze napkin should be soaked with oil, then apply a compress to the affected area of the mucous membrane, leaving for 10-15 minutes. The procedure is recommended to be repeated daily for two weeks.
- Aloe liniment is sometimes used for applications.
- For rinsing the mouth, decoctions of chamomile flowers, as well as parsley root and dill seeds are used. All these plants have anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, accelerate the healing process of wounds.
- Some traditional healers recommend using honey. A teaspoon of natural thickened honey should be carefully and slowly absorbed. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times a day. By the way, it is recommended to extend therapy up to 20-30 days. Of course, the symptoms of thrush will completely disappear by then, but honey will help restore tissue andprevent recurrence.
Prevention measures
Candidiasis of the oral mucosa is a very common disease. Of course, it is well transferred to drug treatment, but it brings a lot of discomfort to the patient's life. By following some rules, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing candidiasis.
- It is very important to properly care for the oral cavity, to follow the rules of hygiene. If a person uses dentures, then do not forget that such devices should be stored in a special solution. Carious teeth should be treated in time.
- Twice a year it's worth visiting the dentist even if you don't have any symptoms. Preventive examinations allow you to identify certain problems in time.
- The right diet is also important. From the diet, if possible, you should exclude sweets and other foods containing glucose, but include foods high in protein in the menu.
- Recommended to give up alcohol and smoking.
- You can't arbitrarily take antibiotics, since such drugs primarily affect the state of the microflora.
Noticing the symptoms of oral candidiasis, you need to consult a specialist. The sooner therapy is started, the faster the recovery process will be.
