Dorothy FarrarThrush (candidiasis)
Fungi and bacteria are widespread on our skin. However, various triggers can lead to an imbalance, which leads to diseases of the skin and the organism. One of these diseases is thrush (candidiasis).
What is thrush (candidiasis)?
There are countless bacteria and fungi on our skin as well as in our organism. With a balanced ratio and an intact immune system, these do not pose a threat to humans.
Thrush is a disease of the skin caused by special fungi. It is often referred to as candidiasis. The name is due to the causative agent of fungi, which belongs to the genus Candida. Infestation of tissues and organs is systemic candidiasis.
Causes
Various Candida mushrooms are seen as the cause of thrush. They belong to the yeast fungi. These occur in humans, animals and plants. In humans, they colonize the skin and organs, but are not a danger with an intact immune system and in small numbers. Under certain conditions, they can multiply strongly and lead to inflammation on the skin or in organs and tissues.
Among other things, a weakened immune system is considered to be the trigger. Often this is weakened by diabetes mellitus, cancer, AIDS or alcoholism so much that the fungi can multiply uncontrollably. A disturbed immune system as a result of a hormonal change during pregnancy also increases the risk of thrush.
The most common cause of a weakened immune defense is seen in long-term therapy with certain drugs. These include cortisone, immunosuppressants and chemotherapy drugs. In addition to an infection coming from within, the infection can also occur from the outside, through contact with an infected person (smear infection).
Symptoms and course
Thrush (candidiasis) is localized and has symptoms only in this area. Mostly skin folds (armpits, thighs) are affected. In these places there is reddening and itching of the skin. In addition, a white coating occurs on mucous membranes. In genital thrush, which can occur equally in men and women, redness, swelling, whitish, crumbly discharge up to pustules and papules appear.
With careful and early treatment, the course is usually without complications. Unfortunately, thrush can recur even after successful treatment. Unlike thrush, systemic candidiasis can have serious complications that can sometimes lead to death.
When to see a doctor?
Thrush or candidiasis does not always cause major problems. Difficulties often only occur when there are changes in the appearance of the skin or the mucous membrane, which in turn causes Candida overgrowth. In this case, it is necessary to go to the doctor.
If there is a concrete suspicion of thrush, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. In the case of thrush in the oral cavity, there is otherwise a risk of spreading the disease via the throat into the esophagus. The treatment of the fungus is often more difficult in such cases.
Even with changes that show up on the skin and last for several days, a visit to the doctor is advisable. This is especially true in the case of impairments of well-being. A doctor should also be consulted when certain symptoms occur. These include a feeling of tightness in the throat, problems swallowing, or when a child refuses to eat food. In severe cases, there is even a risk of life-threatening dehydration (dehydration).
If candidiasis occurs due to problematic tooth positions or dentures, it is necessary to consult a dentist.
Other reasons for a visit to the doctor due to candidiasis are reduced physical resilience, an inner feeling of weakness, swelling or the development of pustules, because these symptoms are an indication of health problems. The same applies to disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, discharge or problems when going to the toilet.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of thrush is often made from a surface swab. A smear is taken from the affected skin or mucous membrane and examined under a microscope. Oral thrush, on the other hand, can be identified simply by looking at the typical symptoms.
If systemic candidiasis is suspected, a tissue sample must be taken. A culture is then grown from this, through which the pathogen can be detected. In the case of thrush in the kidneys and intestines, a urine or stool sample can provide information.
Treatment and therapy
Thrush and systemic candidiasis can be effectively treated with antifungal drugs. Depending on the type of infestation, treatment can be done with ointment, cream or in tablet form. Since thrush occurs locally, therapy is limited to the affected area only. Mouthwashes are used for oral thrush.
The treatment of systematic candiosis is different. Since it spreads throughout the body, it can only be treated with an antifungal drug, which is administered in the form of tablets or, in some cases, infusions. Therapy with the antifungal agents nystatin, natamycin, ketoconazole and fluconazole proved to be successful. Since side effects often occur with these antimycotics, miconazole or clotrimazole can be used. The latter is found in the ointments used to treat vaginal thrush.
Combined preparations consisting of vaginal suppositories and an antimycotic in the form of an ointment have shown to be extremely effective. Although the combined preparations treat the causes of thrush quickly and successfully, they put a sensitive strain on the vaginal flora. Lactic acid preparations build them up again and at the same time minimize the risk of a new infection.
Prevention
In patients with a weakened immune system, prophylactic measures against thrush (candidiasis) have the highest priority. In the case of oral thrush, a regular check by looking into the mouth is recommended. If you have any doubts or questions, consult your doctor immediately. With its help, suitable remedies can be prescribed in the early stages, thus preventing oral thrush from breaking out.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.