Causes of the disease and its consequences
Candidiasis (the scientific name of the disease) refers tofungal diseases and requires special treatment. Its causative agent is considered to be a fungus of the genus Candida, which is present in small quantities in every organism. But the inflammatory process develops only under the influence of certain factors that have a detrimental effect on the microflora of the mucous membrane. Most often, the causes of thrush are taking antibiotics and decreased immunity. Due to the poorly developed immune resistance of the body to viruses and bacteria, candidiasis occurs in infants. Most catch the disease from their mother during childbirth. In this case, it does not matter at all how exactly they went: naturally or with the help of surgery (cesarean section). Neglect of the baby's personal hygiene, poorly washed and unsterilized nipples and bottles - a direct path to infection. Children after one year of life can also get candidiasis. The cause of the development of the disease in them is usually antibiotics, which simultaneously destroy pathogenic bacteria and destroy useful ones, and various hormonal drugs. Frequent illnesses and decreased immunity complement and accelerate the development of thrush. The oral cavity is the place where candidiasis is most often localized. But it can also occur under a diaper, where diaper rash often forms. If you do not start timely treatment, the disease will develop into a chronic form. As a result, this will serve as a background for the manifestation of allergies and various inflammatory processes. A late visit to the doctor, a late diagnosis and an incorrectly selected treatment regimen will contribute to systemic exacerbations of this disease. As a result, this will lead to damage to the internal organs of the child. There are cases when a fungal disease led to blood poisoning. The hardest hit are premature babies with underweight, whose immunity is reduced due to immaturity. The development of candidiasis in them can lead to severe complications and death. As for newborn girls, for them, thrush in the vagina often becomes the cause of synechia (fusion of the labia).
In what form is the disease manifested?
Oral thrush can be recognized bya white, cheesy coating on the palate, gums and tongue, which can be mistaken for the remains of formula or breast milk. But if you remove the spot, you can see an inflamed red mucosal surface underneath. This type of disease is called candidal stomatitis. It can occur in severe, moderate and mild forms. In the mild form, except for the presence of a white coating on the oral mucosa, there are no symptoms. And the general condition of the patient does not change, the baby feels normal, is active and eats well. It is quite easy to cure this form of candidiasis. And if you follow the doctor's instructions, all the symptoms disappear within a week. A moderate disease can be accompanied by an increase in temperature to 37-37.5 ° C. The child begins to refuse food, becomes restless and capricious. When removing the white coating in the mouth, blood comes out of the wound. This form of stomatitis requires complex treatment. In addition to treating the oral cavity, the doctor prescribes antifungal drugs for oral administration. The baby feels healthy in 2 weeks. In severe cases of candidiasis, the temperature can rise to 38°C. It is difficult for the child to eat, he constantly cries and complains of pain. The plaque on the mucous membrane is more like a continuous film that covers the entire oral cavity, moving to the throat. It will take more than two or three weeks to cope with thrush. When the skin is affected by the fungus, the disease is called candidal dermatitis. Its main localization sites are the groin folds, buttocks, neck, arms and legs. Reproduction is facilitated by a humid environment with an elevated temperature, which forms under the diaper. The resulting rashes can look like wet spots or small pimples with a white top. Regardless of this, they cause discomfort and pain to the child. The manifestation of the disease in children over one year old is considered a sign of reduced immunity. Plaque usually appears on the mucous membrane in the oral cavity, but if the child has a habit of sucking fingers, symptoms can also appear on the skin around the nail plate.
Prescription of medicines
There are many medications that can get rid of thrush, but the most common are:
- nystatin;
- Candida;
- miramistin.
Nystatin.Doctors often prescribe this particular drug for treatment. It is available in the form of tablets, ointments or suppositories. The main feature of nystatin is that Candida fungi adapt to it extremely slowly. The drug is prescribed when there is a risk of developing a severe form of thrush. This applies to premature and newborn babies suffering from advanced candidiasis. The ointment should be applied 2 times a day to the affected areas, and the tablets should be taken according to the doctor's prescription and instructions. The course of treatment is about 2 weeks. Candid. The drug is similar in principle of action to the previous one. It is prescribed in the form of a solution. Babies should wipe the oral mucosa with a cotton swab soaked in the medicine. The procedure is repeated several times a day for about 10 days. Miramistin. The drug has a broad spectrum of action and can be used as a remedy for thrush. It is available in the form of a solution and ointment. Usually, the affected areas are lubricated with a piece of gauze soaked in the solution. As a rule, it is prescribed in combination with antifungal drugs.
Folk remedies
The most common treatmentcandidiasis is rinsing the mouth with soda. To prepare the solution, you need to dissolve a teaspoon of soda in a glass of warm boiled water. Infants can wipe the mouth with this composition. The procedures are carried out at intervals of 2-3 hours. Flax seeds with honey help to cope with thrush. To prepare, seeds (1 teaspoon) are poured with boiling water (100 ml), insisted for about an hour, then add a spoonful of honey. The mucous membrane is lubricated with the product several times a day. You can wipe plaque with a tincture of calendula flowers. To prepare, dry flowers (1 tablespoon) are poured with boiling water (100 ml). Insist, wrapping the container, for an hour.
Preventive measures
Prevention will help prevent developmentthrush. To do this, expectant mothers should prepare for childbirth in advance and cure candidiasis. This will minimize the risk of disease in a newborn baby. In the future, you should take hygiene rules seriously: monitor the cleanliness of clothes, bottles and nipples. Breastfeeding increases the child's immunity, normalizes bowel function and reduces the risk of developing fungal diseases. It is also important to monitor breast hygiene, monitor the condition of the nipples. It is also necessary to change diapers more often and arrange air baths for the baby to prevent the development of thrush in a humid and warm environment.
