Candidiasis is caused by the proliferation of a fungus called Candida albicans. When it affects the mouth, the exact medical expression referring to this infection is oral candidiasis. The fungus naturally belongs to the organism, only sometimes the normal balance is upset, so it becomes easy for the cells to proliferate. Oral candidiasis causes white, creamy patches on the tongue and inner cheek. These patches can also affect other areas, such as the throat, gums, palate, and even the esophagus. If you have candidiasis, it's best to see a doctor, but home treatments also exist.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Treating Candidiasis with Prescribed Medicines
Step 1. Know the causes of candidiasis
Oral candidiasis is caused by the proliferation of a fungus called Candida albicans, which already lives in the body under normal conditions.
- Candida albicans occurs naturally in the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, and also on the skin.
- Candidiasis occurs when Candida albicans cells find a source of nutrients they like. This triggers growth that exceeds normal levels.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms
White patches are usually seen on the tongue and other parts of the mouth.
- There are other symptoms, including inflammation or redness of parts of the mouth, all accompanied by painful sensations. This can cause a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and loss of the sense of taste.
- If scratched, some parts may bleed slightly.
- Cracks in the corners of the mouth are a common symptom of oral candidiasis.
Step 3. Go to the doctor to request a diagnosis
Understand the risks associated with untreated candida infections. When these disorders, such as oral candidiasis, are neglected, they can lead to serious health problems.
- Candida is found on the skin and intestines by nature, it does not cause health problems under normal conditions.
- However, when the fungus proliferates, it is important to seek medical attention to effectively treat the disorder before it worsens and enters the systemic circulation. Systemic candida infections are called invasive candidiasis.
- Try to understand the severity of invasive candidiasis. This infection occurs when candidiasis expands to the systemic circulation, resulting in candidemia.
- This type of infection is not to be underestimated and can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones and even other parts of the body.
- People with weakened immune systems are those who are most at risk of contracting invasive candidiasis. This type of infection makes hospitalization mandatory, involves more medical expenses, and, in some cases, causes less-than-desirable results.
- Invasive candidiasis is a serious infection that affects patients treated in a hospital or other healthcare facility for several reasons.
- See a doctor right away. Going to an expert early and taking prescribed medications is the best way to effectively manage the early symptoms of a candida infection.
- This is the most effective approach to prevent invasive candidiasis and candidemia.
Step 4. If you usually have no health problems, ask a doctor to assess why these symptoms occurred
In fact, it is rare to observe the onset of oral candidiasis among healthy children, adolescents and adults. However, anyone can be affected and the infection is easily treatable.
- Since this disorder is considered unusual among healthy people, there may be an underlying cause that led to the development of candidiasis.
- Also, some ailments may resemble candida, such as mouth cancer or some cancers, so be sure to see your doctor if you've never had candida before, or if treatments aren't successful.
- Cases of candidiasis are recommended to be evaluated by a physician both to prescribe effective treatment and to ensure that there are no changes in the patient's overall immune system.
Step 5. Take prescription antifungal medicines
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, candida infections that develop in the oral cavity or throat require the intake of prescribed medications for them to be treated effectively.
- The exact dosage and duration of treatment vary depending on several factors: age, general health conditions, medicines taken at that time and the state of the patient's immune system.
- Make sure you complete the prescribed course of medication completely, otherwise the candida may come back.
Step 6. Apply prescription medications for topical use
Treatment of oral candidiasis is often done using a product that requires local application, especially for infants and younger children.
- Liquid products, such as an oral suspension of nystatin, are applied locally by dabbing or "painting" them on the affected surfaces. Nystatin is effective in treating the infection, and ingesting it is not dangerous.
- In addition to medicines in liquid form, antifungal creams, ointments and oral medications, such as tablets, also release the active ingredient locally.
- Use soluble prescription medications. Some drugs in the form of tablets are soluble: they must be put in the mouth and you have to wait for them to dissolve.
- This method of administration ensures that the medicines come into direct contact with the infected areas.
Step 7. Take oral medications
In some cases, medications are prescribed in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquid to be swallowed.
- Antifungal medicines enter the bloodstream through systemic absorption - it's just like taking an antibiotic.
- Here are some examples of medicines prescribed to treat oral candidiasis: fluconazole, nystatin, itraconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole and miconazole.
- These medications may interact with medications you are already taking, so talk to your doctor about any medications you are on. There may also be side effects - call your doctor for any new symptoms that arise.
Part 2 of 4: Treatment for People Commonly Prone to Oral Candidiasis
Step 1. If you are breastfeeding, you need to know what symptoms to observe
Babies who get candida infections usually have white patches in their mouths. They may have difficulty breastfeeding, be more temperamental and irritable than usual.
- The newborn can transmit the infection to the mother; we therefore enter a vicious circle until the disorder is effectively treated.
- The mother's breasts may become unusually sensitive and red, with cracked, itchy nipples. The areola, or the circular area surrounding the nipple, can become shiny, with scaly parts.
- The mother may feel pain during breastfeeding or feel discomfort in the nipple area between feedings. The disorder can also present itself in the form of shooting pains in the chest.
Step 2. See a doctor to treat both you and your child
Talk to your pediatrician; if he thinks it is a mild case of candidiasis, he may recommend that you simply take good personal hygiene measures and monitor the affected areas (both yours and your child's) for a few days.
- Get the baby treated. If treatment is planned, the medicines can be applied easily and safely.
- In many cases, an antifungal called nystatin oral suspension may be prescribed. It is a liquid medicine that can be applied directly into the baby's mouth, on the affected parts.
- It is often recommended to repeat the application several times a day for about a week.
- You should get treated too. To continue breastfeeding and break the vicious cycle of infection, your doctor may prescribe the same or similar medicine.
- Topical antifungal creams or ointments are applied to the affected parts of the nipple. It is usually recommended to repeat the application several times a day for about a week, continuing until both mother and baby are healed.
- You can also try using disposable nursing pads to avoid spreading the infection to clothing.
- Talk to your doctor about how to clean or sterilize bottles, teats, pacifiers and any removable parts of the pump to reduce the chance of the infection returning.
Step 3. Identify other people at risk
Compared to healthy adults, individuals with diabetes, who inhale prescription corticosteroids, take certain types of antibiotics, or wear dentures more often get oral candida infections.
- Some people with serious diseases that weaken the immune system are more prone to oral candidiasis.
- These groups include individuals with HIV or AIDS, who are undergoing cancer treatment, or who have undergone an organ transplant.
Step 4. If you have a particular ailment, get treatment immediately
Make an appointment as soon as possible to have your candida infection examined and treated.
- Your doctor will prescribe the right medicines based on your general health and the medications you are already taking.
- Elderly people, with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or with weakened immune systems must act quickly to prevent candida from spreading to the arterial circulation.
Step 5. Start taking your prescribed medications
Risk groups are more difficult to treat, as they are already taking several medications that can sometimes interact with antifungals.
- Doctors know how to properly combine necessary antifungals with other prescription medicines to quickly and effectively treat candida infection.
- In some cases, the safest routes may be intravenous therapy and hospitalization.
Part 3 of 4: Using Natural Remedies
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about natural or herbal remedies
During a scientific study, researchers looked for evidence to prove the effectiveness of natural or herbal treatments supposedly useful for treating oral candidiasis. Unfortunately, they were unable to find any evidence to support the hypothesis.
This doesn't mean that natural products don't work. Based on the results of the study, further research should be done to demonstrate the efficacy of these therapeutic approaches - obviously following adequate scientific analysis methodologies
Step 2. Rinse with warm salt water
When you have an oral candida infection, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can give you relief.
- To make sure it's the best solution for you, ask your dentist or primary care physician about this method.
- To make the solution, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
- Shake the solution in your mouth. Make sure you spit it out, don't swallow it. Repeat several times a day.
Step 3. Take probiotics
According to scientific research, probiotics that contain lactobacilli species can help control the proliferation of Candida albicans in some situations.
The study authors recommend further analysis in this regard, but the initial work done in a controlled research setting is promising
Step 4. Get the lactobacillus acidophilus
According to the scientific literature, this remedy can be useful for treating oral candidiasis. However, the available products are not subject to precise rules and there are no exact recommendations on posology.
- Talk to your doctor about specific products or sources he knows about to treat oral thrush in this way.
- Yogurt containing live or active cultures of lactobacilli is difficult to find. Nowadays this product is obligatorily subjected to processes such as pasteurization, which eliminates live crops.
Step 5. Apply gentian violet
If you decide to try this method, first talk to your doctor, then proceed with care. Since there are safer and easier to use products, this remedy is often considered inconvenient.
- Gentian violet is effective for locally treating fungal infections, including oral candidiasis, but is difficult to use. The product should not be ingested, it also stains skin and clothes.
- Side effects of gentian violet include redness and irritation where it is applied. It shouldn't be ingested. It can also cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. If it is swallowed, go to the emergency room immediately or call a poison control center.
- According to a study, gentian violet applied locally using a product with a concentration of 0.00165% can be effective in treating oral candidiasis and does not stain the affected areas.
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Oral Candidiasis in the Future
Step 1. Practice good oral hygiene
Go to the dentist regularly and follow any recommendations he or your primary care physician gives you.
In general, to prevent candida infections it is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day, and never share your toothbrush
Step 2. You may start using an easier-to-manage toothbrush
Some models may have trouble reaching all parts of the mouth.
If you think an electric toothbrush will help you brush your teeth more effectively, discuss this change with your dentist
Step 3. Replace your toothbrush often
If you've recently had a candida infection, you should change it frequently.
Use new toothbrushes and throw away the infected ones until you are sure that you are completely cured of the infection and the new toothbrush has not been affected
Step 4. Avoid using mouthwash
Some mouthwashes and similar products can alter normal oral bacterial flora, allowing the candida infection to spread more easily.
Talk to your dentist to be sure. Many experts, on the contrary, recommend the use of mouthwashes and similar products
Step 5. Pay attention to your nutrition
Foods and drinks that contain sugar or yeast can encourage the growth of candida.
Limit the amounts of these foods or drinks and be sure to brush your teeth after consuming them
Step 6. Clean your dentures every day
People who wear dentures are more prone to oral candida infections.
Your dentist can suggest different products and tools to clean your dentures if that's the case for you
Step 7. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar regularly
By maintaining tight control of your blood glucose levels, you can reduce the amounts of excess sugar found in saliva.
This helps you limit the sugary food sources you introduce into the oral cavity that cause candida to grow
Step 8. If you are being treated for cancer, use a prescription mouthwash
Research has provided good evidence that it can help reduce the risk of oral candidiasis among those undergoing cancer treatment.
The mouthwashes that are prescribed most often contain a concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate equal to 0.12%
Step 9. After inhaling a corticosteroid, rinse your mouth
People with lung disorders, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, regularly take inhaled corticosteroids.
People taking these medicines can reduce their risk of getting candidiasis by rinsing their mouth with water. Alternatively, a doctor may recommend a mouthwash to use after each inhalation
Advice
- Oral candidiasis refers only to infections caused by a proliferation of Candida albicans in the oral cavity.
- Vaginal candida infections are caused by the proliferation of the same fungus, but oral infections usually do not occur concurrently with vaginal ones.
- Treat vaginal candidiasis infections promptly and effectively. Immediately treating a proliferation of fungi in the vaginal area helps to keep the Candida albicans naturally found in the body in balance.
- Over-the-counter products are effective for treating vaginal candida infections. However, it is always best to see a doctor to examine the symptoms and check your type of infection.
- Men can get candida infections by having sex with women with vaginal candidiasis. Over-the-counter medicines are effective for treating both men and women. Consult a doctor for treatment recommendations.
