For some reason, it is believed that thrush is a purely female disease. Life-poisoning and dirty linen discharge, similar to a cheese mass, constant itching – a rare woman has not encountered candidiasis and does not know how it manifests itself.
Thrush occurs more often in women than in men, but men also suffer from this disease.
All segments of the population, regardless of age, gender and social status, face the disease caused by the yeast-like fungi – candida.
No need to think that if everyone has thrush, then it is not scary and it is not necessary to be treated. Candidiasis significantly impairs the quality of life, and during pregnancy it can slow down the development of the fetus and even lead to its loss.
Causes of candidiasis
Where does candidiasis come from?
It would be wrong to say that people are infected with this disease. Fungi of this culture are constantly present in the human body: intestines, genitals, on the mucous membranes of the pharynx and on the surface of the skin. As soon as favorable conditions are created for the disease, the fungi begin to multiply, and the manifestation of thrush can be observed.
In most cases, more precisely in 95%, the disease is caused by fungi of the genus Candida albicans. According to the results of tests, scrapings and smears, other types of yeast are detected in 5% of patients.
Thrush in women is usually diagnosed by gynecologists. Does it turn out that the disease is sexually transmitted?
A similar route of infection is possible, but most often thrush can manifest itself:
- during a seasonal decrease in immunity;
- in people with diabetes mellitus;
- due to infectious and systemic diseases, due to the action of antibiotics and some other medicines;
- by direct contact with a carrier of the disease.
And few people know that in some cases the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets.
So you need to approach the treatment of candidiasis seriously enough. Removing external manifestations, you cannot get rid of the disease.
Disease treatment
Wherever thrush appears, it can be identified by the following symptoms:
- itching;
- burning;
- swelling of the affected area;
- the occurrence of erosion.
Depending on the location of the disease, the diagnosis sounds different.
Yeast glossitis – this is the name of a thrush, which “wound up” in the oral cavity and “occupied” the tongue.
Onychomycosis – candida has affected the nails and nail folds.
Stomatitis – the disease manifests itself in the oral cavity; this form of the disease is most common in young children.
Cutaneous candidiasis – appears on the skin
Vulvovaginal candidiasis – this is the name of a common form of the disease – thrush in women.
The unpleasant sensations characteristic of this disease – itching and discharge – are exacerbated in the evening. Candida can also manifest itself if an excessive amount of foods with yeast, spicy foods, carbonated drinks and sweets are introduced into the diet.
The fungus loves dampness and warmth. Increased sweating is a paradise for this microorganism.
During pregnancy, thrush in women is quite common. The hormonal balance is disturbed, the rate of metabolic processes changes, which leads to the activity of candida.
Disease prevention
Like any disease, thrush is easier to prevent than to cure. It’s not that hard if:
- use only your personal hygiene items: a toothbrush, towels, dishes;
- do not often use fragrances and additional antibacterial protection;
- change panty liners daily;
- do not wash out the healthy flora from the vagina with an excessive desire for cleanliness;
- maintain immunity at the proper level;
- do not wear synthetic underwear;
- prevent unprotected sexual intercourse.
Treatment of the disease
Definitely, a medicine for thrush cannot be prescribed. Medicine has not yet worked out a general algorithm for combating candidiasis. Adequate treatment depends on the degree of tissue damage and on the site of activation of the fungus.
When it comes to children, thrush is often treated with a soda solution, making it like this: half a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of warm water. Wrap the bandage on the handle of a teaspoon or fix it with medical tweezers, soak it in the prepared solution, and gently handle the affected mucosa.
For severe inflammation, use candida cream or nystatin ointment.
In men, inflammation on the foreskin is treated with the same nystatin ointment or clotrimazole.
In order to cure thrush in women, many drugs have been developed.
As external agents, suppositories with nystatin or preparations based on clotrimazole and pimafucin are used. Currently, pimafucin is considered one of the safest drugs. Its application as an oral agent is more effective than a course of treatment with nystatin.
With constant relapses of the disease, in most cases, women are prescribed fluconazole. In his favor is the fact that he acts on all types of candida. Taking fluconazole tablets clears not only the genital tract, but also all body tissues from the fungus. The drug is absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream. A side effect of it in most cases is a single bowel disorder. But pregnant women are not prescribed this active ingredient.
Treatment of onychomycosis occurs according to the same algorithm as the fight against other manifestations of candidiasis. The only difference: there is more active substance in drugs for onychomycosis than in drugs that are used to eliminate fungus from mucous membranes.
Of the folk remedies, the most effective treatment for thrush is with a soda solution (how to prepare it has already been described). A tampon is soaked in the prepared mixture, and at night it is inserted into the vagina.
Also one is able to treat candidiasis with warm baths and douching with herbal tinctures, sea salt or soda.
Tea tree oil has a detrimental effect on thrush pathogens – 2 drops per half glass of water for douching is enough.
Among the recipes of traditional medicine, you can find many means to get rid of an unpleasant disease:
For example, this broth for douching is made up of the same amount of oak bark and chamomile, to which stinging nettle and knotweed are added. The last ingredients are taken twice as much. The herbal mixture is boiled in three glasses of water for about five minutes and filtered. You can add rosemary and yarrow to chamomile and oak bark.
It is believed that herbal preparations are excellent for getting rid of thrush. However, many doctors believe that herbs only relieve discomfort, and the disease itself is simply muted.
If a woman is expecting a child, then only a gynecologist should deal with the treatment of thrush. This warning is especially true for those who prefer traditional medicine. Some herbs that are used to destroy candida, for example, knotweed, are categorically contraindicated for pregnant women.
