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fungal infection thrush
Thrush or candidiasis is a fungal infection. It often occurs as an infection in the throat and/or mouth (oral thrush or oral candidiasis) . Thrush is usually caused by the yeast Candida albicans .
Candidose im Mund: Mundsoor
A typical symptom of oral thrush begins with a fungal infection on the lips and cheeks. You can see white or reddish deposits that are partially peeling off. Oral thrush occurs mostly in babies and newborns. Anyone who struggles with oral thrush as an adult usually has a serious underlying condition or regularly takes antibiotics.
You can recognize the classic form of oral thrush by the reddened mucous membranes and small, white spots on the cheeks, but also on the tongue and/or lips. The first white spots can usually be easily wiped away, but can already cause the irritated oral mucosa underneath to bleed. If oral thrush is not recognized in time, the infection can spread to the throat and even the esophagus.
If you notice the following symptoms in you or your child, you should consult a doctor to be on the safe side:
- burning oral mucosa
- bad breath or itching in the mouth
- metallic taste in the mouth
- increased thirst
- dryness in the mouth
- “furry” tongue
Especially in newborns, oral thrush usually manifests itself as a refusal to breastfeed or a bottle and reddening of the lips and corners of the mouth.
diaper thrush
Thrush can also appear as diaper thrush. The trigger is also a yeast fungus, but here the disease manifests itself in the form of a red rash in the diaper area. Both the bottom and genitals of the baby are then affected and covered with painful pustules and flakes of skin.
thrush on the nipple
Another clinical picture is thrush on the nipple. This often occurs during breastfeeding and through sore nipples that have not been treated for a long time. Rashes and inflammation appear on and around the nipples. Flaky skin can also occur with thrush infections. Stinging pains make breastfeeding almost impossible. In these cases, mothers often pump the milk.
Causes of candidiasis
In most cases, the trigger and cause of thrush is the yeast Candida albicans. About every second person carries this yeast fungus in them or on their skin . A strong immune system normally keeps the yeast in check so that no serious illness occurs. The two fungal species Candida stellatoidea and Candida tropicalis can also be rather rare triggers for oral thrush.
The cause of the thrush caused by the yeast fungus is a so-called opportunistic infection. This type of infection is characterized by the fact that the fungus gains access via a small wound, a weak point in the immune system, and multiplies there quickly and profusely. Since newborns in particular still have a very weak immune system, thrush is considered a typical clinical picture in babies. It is not uncommon for them to be infected during childbirth from the mother, who can suffer from untreated vaginal thrush, for example.
In adults, the risk of developing thrush (especially oral thrush) is always increased if they suffer from a weakened immune system.
In addition to very young and very old people, the risk of infection is particularly high for the following risk groups:
- smoker
- people with dentures
- people with malnutrition
- cancer sufferers
- HIV sufferers
- diabetic
diagnosis of thrush
If you suspect that you or your child is suffering from thrush, you should immediately make an appointment with a dermatologist, dentist, pediatrician or your family doctor. Treating yourself and trying to get rid of the infection on your own is usually unsuccessful. Although thrush, and oral thrush in particular, is not necessarily dangerous, the disease can quickly become very painful, especially for small patients. If, in the worst case, your baby refuses to eat, dehydration can lead to life-threatening situations. Diaper thrush rashes can also spread if left untreated, affecting the thighs or even the abdomen.
After the symptoms have been clarified and discussed, you should inform the doctor about previous illnesses and any medication you may be taking.
The doctor usually recognizes at first glance whether it is actually thrush. If the clinical picture is rather atypical or ambiguous, the doctor will take a swab and have it examined in a laboratory. The thrush pathogens can be clearly identified very quickly under the microscope. In addition, blood is usually taken as well, since antibodies against the fungus can be detected here in the case of a fungal disease.
How do you treat thrush?
If thrush is actually diagnosed, an antifungal drug containing the active ingredients nystatin or amphotericin B is usually prescribed. The antifungal agent is used in the form of lozenges, a solution or a gel and must be used until the end of the prescribed treatment period. Just because there are no white patches, red patches, or flaky skin, it doesn’t mean thrush is no longer contagious. Complete healing can only be assumed after the treatment with the appropriate medication has been completed.
Appropriate hygiene is also very important during the intake. Especially with babies and toddlers with oral thrush, you should definitely make sure to sterilize all bottle teats and pacifiers before and after use. With diaper thrush, it is important to change the baby’s diaper as often as possible to avoid moisture as much as possible.
In adults, what is known as an antifungal diet can also help to relieve thrush. All types of sugar are avoided, milk and fruit are avoided and cereals and cornstarch are removed from the menu.
