Candidiasis is a fungal infection of the oral cavity, found in both adults and children. This is exactly the disease that people call "thrush" . Candidiasis can affect not only the oral cavity, but precisely because of the localization in the mouth it is called stomatitis.
Causes of candidal stomatitis
As the name implies, the disease is caused by special fungi of the genus Candida. These yeast-like fungi are normally observed in any human in a small amount. But in the presence of certain factors that adversely affect the work of immunity, the number of fungi increases and infection of the mucous membranes occurs. The causative factors for the development of candidal stomatitis in adults and children, especially infants, are different.
The reasons for the appearance of lesions on the mucosa in children are:
- infection from the mother during natural childbirth;
- use of mixtures and products with a high content of sugars;
- uncontrolled reception of antibiotics;
- age up to 3 years (due to unformed immunity).
Factors affecting the occurrence of candidal stomatitis in adults:
- blood diseases;
- oncological diseases;
- diabetes;
- Gastrointestinal diseases;
- hormonal disorders;
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- smoking;
- severe stressful situations;
- non-compliance with oral hygiene;
- HIV;
- pregnancy;
- untreated dental and periodontal diseases.
Symptoms of candidal stomatitis
Candidiasis is characterized by specific symptoms that are difficult to confuse with something. In the beginning, redness and swelling of the mucosa appear. Then in the mouth cavities of white rashes are observed, which can be localized in the tongue, gums, cheeks, lips, sky and tonsils. After a while, the foci become denser, the plaque looks loose and dense, it is severely separated, revealing bleeding sores underneath.
In acute candidiasis stomatitis, foci can merge into each other in a film. The appearance of such lesions brings a feeling of discomfort, worse when eating, pain, dryness and burning sensation of the mucosa. Swallowing can also be difficult. Another symptom is a decrease in taste sensitivity.
Chronic candidiasis stomatitis may not be accompanied by the presence of foci of plaque. Especially often it occurs in the development of candidiasis against a backdrop of chronic diseases. In this case, the patient complains of discomfort, dryness, burning, reddening of the mucous membrane, cracks in the corners of the mouth .
How to treat candidal stomatitis?
To understand how to properly treat candidal stomatitis, you need to see a doctor, especially for infants. First, the doctor will conduct differential diagnosis, which will exclude other diseases. Secondly, after the medical history is collected, the doctor will take into account all the triggering factors and will be able to
Acute form, more common in young children, is treated quickly with antifungal agents for mucosal treatment. These include simple means - soda, borax in glycerin, iodinol, and special ointments, such as Pimafucin, clotrimazole, miconazole and others suitable for oral use.
Treatment of chronic candidiasis stomatitis in adults is most often accompanied not only by local manipulation, but also by ingestion of antifungal drugs. In addition to specific drugs, immunomodulating agents are prescribed to prevent the development of the disease in the future.