Thrush – symptoms, causes and treatments!

Thrush or oral candidiasis is an infection caused by excess Candida albicans fungus in the mouth , which causes infection, usually in babies, due to their still poorly developed immunity, or in adults with a weakened immune system due to flu , chronic diseases or HIV , for example. Despite inhabiting the skin, it is possible to catch candidiasis from someone else, through kissing and intimate contact. This infection is curable and its treatment is done with mouthwashes, antifungals and correct oral hygiene, and should be guided by a general practitioner or dentist.

What is thrush:

Oral candidiasis, also known as “ thrush ”, is the most common fungal infection of the mouth. It is caused by the fungus Candida albicans, which is part of the oral flora of approximately 50% of the population, but causes damage only in immunosuppressed patients.

Among the possible cases of immunosuppression are patients with diabetes mellitus, organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, undergoing chemotherapy or with AIDS .

Among the three main clinical forms (pseudomembranous, erythematous, and hyperplastic), the most common form of oral candidiasis is pseudomembranous ( Sapinho ), which is characterized by the formation of a grayish white superficial inflammatory membrane, in which microorganisms are present in through fibrinosuppurative exudate.

If this membrane is scraped off, the immediately deeper erythematous inflammatory base will be revealed.

Causes:

There are several factors that can trigger Thrush , which is then the cause of oral candidiasis. The causes of Thrush are often associated with situations that change the internal chemical composition of the mouth, favoring the development of the fungus. The most common causes of thrush are:

• smoking
• Poor cleanliness or poor oral hygiene
• Poorly fitted dentures or dentures
• corticosteroid medication
• Radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment
• Use of some antibiotics

It is recurrent that Thrush is diagnosed in certain groups, such as newborn babies, people on antibiotic treatment, drug users, people with inadequate diet, people who use dentures, people with weak immune systems and obviously smokers or smokers of any gender. .

Symptoms:

The symptoms of thrush are easily noticed and affect especially inside the mouth. Very commonly it will be possible to notice the following pictures when you have Sapinho :

• White spots inside the mouth. They can be easily removed with the brush or fingers, but they open small wounds
• Constant unpleasant taste or even total lack of taste
• Excessive redness and cracks in the mouth
• Burning sensation in the mouth in many cases

In an advanced stage, Thrush can harm or make it difficult to eat food, due to the spread of the fungus and possible inflammation of the oral mucosa. Already in babies, the Thrush infection appears due to the poorly developed immune system , in the forms of white plaques on the tongue.

How it is transmitted:

Despite being a fungus that already inhabits the skin naturally, and causes lesions only when immunity drops, candidiasis infection can also be transmitted from one person to another, through kissing or unprotected intimate contact.

Thus, this infection is also more common in people with a weakened immune system or at risk for the growth of fungi, such as the use of dental prostheses, poor oral hygiene or excessive sugar intake, for example.

Treatments:

In adults, treatment for  thrush should be guided by a general practitioner or dentist, and can be done at home with the application of antifungals in the form of a gel, liquid or mouthwash, such as Nystatin, for 5 to 7 days. In addition, during treatment it is important to take some precautions, such as:

• Brush your teeth 3 times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush;
• Avoid eating fatty or sugary foods, such as cakes, sweets, cookies or candies;
• Rinse your mouth after eating or using oral medication, such as a nasal spray or syrup.

A great home treatment for candidiasis is pennyroyal tea, because it has properties that reduce the proliferation of fungi and help to speed up the fight against infection. In the most severe cases, treatment for  Thrush can be done with oral antifungal medication, such as Fluconazole, for up to 14 days or as directed by the doctor.

In babies and children, the treatment can be done by placing an antifungal in the form of a liquid, cream or gel, such as nystatin or miconazole, as indicated by the pediatrician.

Prevention:

Logically, to prevent thrush , it is necessary to eliminate the causes that favor its transmission:

• First of all, it is necessary for women to take a urine test fifteen days before delivery to verify that they do not have any infection. If there is a vaginal infection , you will need to start treatment as soon as possible and check that the problem has completely cleared up a few days before delivery with another urinalysis.
• It is also necessary to clean the nipples of the bottle thoroughly. As already mentioned, this is one of the main ways the infection is transmitted. The ideal is to do this using a bottle sterilizer or letting the nipples boil for 3 minutes or steam for 5 minutes.
• The most important thing, and the first thing we should pay attention to, is to strengthen the baby’s immune system. For this, breastfeeding should be the only form of feeding up to 6 months. This is the best way to provide the vitamins and minerals your baby needs to stay completely healthy.
• Another measure to avoid thrush is hygiene care. The baby should not put his hands in his mouth when they are dirty. And you also need to be aware if the baby has diaper dermatitis . He can touch the pustules and then put his hands in his mouth. Thus, it will transport the fungus to the oral cavity.

“To strengthen the baby’s immune system, breastfeeding should be, whenever possible, the only form of feeding up to 6 months.” Putting this advice into practice can help prevent thrush in the newborn and prevent many diseases for your baby. Don’t skimp on prevention methods.