How to identify thrush in girls and begin timely treatment? A child has candidiasis: symptoms, treatment Thrush of the genitourinary system.

When thrush appears, it causes many uncomfortable symptoms in the child. Frequent exacerbations of the disease indicate that the child’s body contains signs of severe distress, which is signaled by manifestations of candidiasis.

What it is?

Candidiasis is a disease caused by fungi. In everyday life, the name “thrush” was assigned to them. This is due to the presence of specific symptoms that occur with candidiasis. The disease usually progresses differently in young children. In most cases, the course of the disease is mild. In newborns, candidiasis develops more severely and is accompanied by the appearance of numerous uncomfortable symptoms that greatly worsen the baby’s well-being.

The culprit of the disease is considered to be a special type of fungus - Candida. They may be present in small quantities in a healthy child. When exposed to various provoking exogenous and endogenous factors, the amount of candida in the body increases many times over. Enlarged fungal colonies are able to settle on various mucous membranes. This causes numerous clinical variants of the disease with different localizations.

The disease can occur in both girls and boys. According to statistics, cases of candidiasis are more often registered in babies. This feature is due to the peculiarity of the structure and physiology of the female body. In early childhood, both boys and girls get candidiasis equally often. To eliminate the unfavorable symptoms of the disease, special treatment is required.

Causes

Currently, there are a huge number of provoking factors leading to increased growth and reproduction of fungal flora. Each age has its own leading causes contributing to the disease. Activation of fungal growth is possible in any physiological condition accompanied by a decrease in immunity.

The most common causes of the disease include:

• Infection during childbirth. In this case, the child becomes infected at the moment when he passes through the birth canal. If the mother is sick with candidiasis, the baby often shows signs of this infection immediately after birth. In this situation, unfavorable symptoms of the disease can already be detected in infants.
• Direct contact with mother. This form of the disease usually occurs in the first days after the baby is born. If a mother has signs of an acute form of candidiasis, then she can infect her newborn baby with this disease. Premature babies are most susceptible to this type of infection.
• Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. You can become infected with candidiasis by using someone else's towels. There are also confirmed cases of illness after bathing in a bathtub that has not been pre-treated with disinfectant solutions. The risk of infection in young children is higher than in older children.
• Prematurity. Babies born prematurely often have reduced immune system performance. Any infection, including fungal infections, can easily cause them to become infected and develop unfavorable symptoms.

• Z diseases or clinical conditions that occur with impaired carbohydrate metabolism. Type 2 diabetes mellitus or nutritional obesity contribute to the development of thrush in children. Glycemia or increased glucose levels in the blood provokes active growth and rapid reproduction of fungal flora. Chronic metabolic disorders often contribute to the development of childhood candidiasis.
• Taking certain medications for too long. These include: antibacterial agents, cytostatics and steroid hormones. When taken for a long time, the functioning of the immune system is disrupted. Subsequently, this leads to the development in the child of signs of immunodeficiency conditions, which contribute to the appearance of thrush.
• Frequent respiratory infections. Weakened children have lower immunity. After severe and frequent colds, the child’s body weakens sharply. In such children, as a rule, the growth of fungal flora increases, which leads to the appearance of signs of candidiasis.
• Immunodeficiency states. They can be congenital or acquired as a result of various diseases. Insufficiently effective functioning of the immune system often contributes to the rapid growth of various opportunistic microorganisms, including Candida fungi. A long-term decrease in immunity leads to the appearance of unfavorable symptoms of thrush in the child.
• Chronic diseases of internal organs. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract often contribute to the appearance of fungal infections in the body. Impaired digestion provokes the rapid development of fungi in children. If the treatment of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is not carried out fully or is not chosen correctly, this can cause the appearance of persistent thrush.

Kinds

Doctors distinguish several variants of the disease based on localization:

• In the oral cavity. Settling in the mouth, fungi cause various numerous damages. These include: cheilitis, stomatitis, gingivitis, glassitis. According to statistics, oral candidiasis most often occurs in infants and schoolchildren. Newborn babies can become infected from their mother during breastfeeding.
• In the throat. A rather rare form of candidiasis. Often this clinical type of thrush is disguised as various childhood infections. To establish the correct diagnosis in this case, differential diagnosis is required. This type of candidiasis usually impairs breathing and can be quite severe.
• On the face and in the eye area. This type of candidiasis occurs with the appearance of lacrimation and severe swelling of the eyelids. In some cases, a white cloudy discharge flows from the eyes, which contains a large amount of fungi. This form of candidiasis is dangerous due to the appearance of complications - various visual impairments.

• In the intestines. The provoking cause in this case is often dysbiosis or chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Long-term constipation also contributes to the development of anal forms of candidiasis in the baby. A pediatric gastroenterologist treats these forms of thrush.
• In the esophagus. Causes dyspepsia and provokes heartburn. To identify candidiasis of the esophagus, it is necessary to perform fibrogastroscopy with the collection of biological material for research. Such differential diagnosis is carried out in order to exclude various neoplasms in the esophagus.
• In the brain. A rather rare clinical form, however, very dangerous. The course of the disease is extremely severe. The symptoms of the disease resemble meningitis. To eliminate adverse symptoms, including severe headache and constant nausea, large doses of antifungal drugs are used.

• Vaginal. Is the most common form. Localization - in the groin. In girls with this form of candidiasis, a cheesy vaginal discharge appears. Many acute forms of thrush can become chronic.
• In the respiratory organs. Fungal flora contributes to the occurrence of candidal bronchitis. This disease causes coughing and breathing problems in the child. The cough is most often dry, but when bacterial flora is attached, sputum may appear. In some cases, hoarseness or hoarseness of the voice appears, as well as an increase in body temperature and increased intoxication.
• On hands. Most often, candidiasis infection affects the nails. They become brittle and dull, and also break and crumble quite easily. Numerous transverse white grooves appear on the upper surface of the nails.

Candida fungi love to settle on various mucous membranes, less often on the skin. This selective feature is caused by the peculiarity of their anatomical and physiological structure. This also causes a variety of different clinical variants of the disease.

Symptoms

Thrush occurs with numerous clinical manifestations. They are quite difficult to tolerate and bring severe discomfort to the baby. The severity of symptoms may vary and depend on the initial condition of the child before the illness.

The presence of a large number of chronic diseases in a child or severe immunodeficiency significantly worsens the course of the disease and contributes to its transition to a chronic form.

The most common symptoms include:

• The appearance of a white cheesy coating. It can cover the damaged areas in small amounts or significantly. When you touch the plaque, it begins to crumble and break. When you try to remove it, eroded areas remain on the mucous membranes that can bleed. The color of the plaque is often white or with a grayish tint.
• Swelling. As fungi multiply, they cause severe inflammation. The inflammatory process provokes the appearance of tissue swelling. Inflamed mucous membranes become dense and bright red. Swelling of the tongue leads to pain when swallowing and also reduces appetite.
• Sucking disorder. Oral forms of candidiasis cause feeding problems in infants. They are hardly able to suck mother's milk. During feeding, the child becomes capricious and cries. Severe soreness in the oral cavity, as well as a burning sensation, lead to the fact that the baby attaches less and less to the mother’s breast.

• Cracks in the corners of the mouth. Occurs with candidal cheilitis. This symptom can also be noticed at home. Deep grooves appear in the outer corners of the child's mouth. When eating, they can become injured and bleed.
• Tearing and soreness of the eyelids. This symptom is characteristic of candidal conjunctivitis. Usually the process is two-way. The duration of the disease in this case varies. On average, it is about 2-3 weeks.
• Itching and burning on the genitals. Occurs with candidiasis of the intimate zone. They bring severe discomfort to the child and worsen his well-being.

• Frequent urination. Occurs with vaginal candidiasis, as well as with fungal infection of the urinary tract. The portions of urine do not change, as does the total amount per day. Only the frequency and number of urges to urinate increases.
• Nausea and vomiting. Occurs with candidiasis of the gastrointestinal tract. Making a diagnosis in this case is a very difficult task. Nausea may be persistent and difficult to treat with conventional medications.
• Changes in the skin and nails. In appearance it may resemble dermatitis. In young children, it usually appears first in the area of ​​skin folds. In appearance, it may resemble small swollen lumps with cloudy contents inside.
• Violation of general health. Severe forms of candidiasis are accompanied by an increase in body temperature and an increase in intoxication symptoms. Thrush can also be quite severe in babies in their first year of life. The severity of the condition affects the child's behavior. He becomes more lethargic and moody, daytime sleepiness and some passivity increase, and nervousness increases.

Diagnostics

Any mother can suspect the first signs of candidiasis. They usually appear quite clearly and are very specific. However, if clinical signs of candidiasis are detected, you should definitely show the baby to a doctor. The doctor will conduct a clinical examination, and in some cases also additional studies for differential diagnosis.

This is necessary in order to exclude all diseases that candidiasis can be disguised as.

Typically, for candidiasis infection, the following is prescribed:

• General blood analysis. Gives a descriptive picture of the presence of infection in the child’s body. It also helps to establish the severity of functional disorders. This method is indicative and does not form the basis for making a diagnosis.
• PCR. This method allows you to accurately detect the presence of fungus in various biological materials. To carry out this test, a preliminary plaque collection will be required.
• Microscoping. A high-resolution microscope can detect fungus in any environment. In some cases, for a more accurate result, doctors use preliminary staining of the material. This helps to identify the fungus even in difficult diagnostic cases.
• Serology. Using RSC and the agglutination reaction, candida fungi can be detected in urine, blood, eye discharge, vaginal plaque and other secretions. In some cases, this method is used to identify visceral forms of candidiasis or after a spinal puncture.

Treatment

Candida infection should be treated as quickly as possible, immediately after diagnosis. Delayed therapy can contribute to the progression of the disease and its transition to a chronic form. For treatment, various medications are used that have a detrimental effect on the fungus, as well as improve immunity. To eliminate the symptoms of candida infection in babies, various antifungal drugs are used. They can be systemic and local.

The choice of the drug, its dosage and frequency of treatment are chosen by the attending physician based on the initial severity of the child’s condition and the presence of concomitant diseases of the internal organs.

Local treatment is carried out with various ointments that have a detrimental effect on candida fungi. These include: clotrimazole, pimafucin (natamycin), isoconazole (travogen), ketoconazole, triderm (effective for the treatment of candidiasis of the feet) and others. It usually takes about two weeks for the adverse symptoms of the disease to resolve. Longer use of medicinal ointments is discussed with your doctor. If the disease proceeds in a more protracted form, then the prescription of antifungal drugs that have a systemic effect is required. To enhance the therapeutic effect, fluconazole is added to local therapy.

It can be in various forms of release: suspensions and capsules, as well as tablets. Typically a dose of 6-8 mg/kg is used per day. The duration of treatment is determined depending on the severity of the disease.

Common forms of cutaneous candidiasis are treated with fluconazole at a dosage of 8-10 mg/kg per day. Usually the entire dose of the drug is taken once during the day. Treatment for skin candidiasis also includes the administration of local forms of antifungal drugs. The average duration of treatment is usually 14-21 days.

To treat mucous membranes of the oral cavity inflamed and damaged by candida infection, you can use hexoral or 2% solution of sodium digluconate. Areas should be treated 3-4 times a day. If the process is mild, then such local treatment is quite sufficient. When the disease recurs, it is required already the appointment of fluconazole (diflucan, mycosyst, medoflucon) inside.

In a hospital setting, treatment regimens that include therapeutic dosages of nystatin can be used for newborn babies.

For genital candidiasis, you can use antifungal ointments. Suitable for this 1% clotrimazole and 1% travogen. The duration of drug administration depends on the severity of the disease and the severity of clinical symptoms. If local treatment is ineffective, as well as if the condition worsens, the prescription of systemic antifungal agents is required. Visceral candidiasis is a difficult task to treat. Usually, complex therapy is required to eliminate unfavorable symptoms. For candidiasis of the gastrointestinal tract, treatment regimens are used that include the combined administration of fluconazole and nystatin simultaneously. Fluconazole is prescribed in a dosage of 9-10 mg/kg body weight, and nystatin 70,000-100,000 units/day up to 3-4 times a day.

The duration of use of drugs depends on the clinical form of candidiasis, as well as its location. On average, 1.5-2 weeks are enough to eliminate adverse symptoms. However, in some cases, longer treatment is required. Treatment must be chosen correctly in order to maximally prevent possible relapses of the disease in the future. During the course of therapy, the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment must be monitored. Doctors may also prescribe general blood tests for your baby. These tests are necessary to establish adverse side reactions from the child's body with long-term use of antifungal drugs.

At the end of the course of treatment, a full laboratory control is required to determine the residual presence of fungi.

In the treatment of fungal infections, great attention should be paid to the baby’s nutrition. For the entire acute period of the disease, the child is prescribed a special diet. She completely excludes any sweet foods, as this promotes the growth of fungal flora. Also, all pickled and canned foods, spicy or spicy foods are removed from the diet. Meals should be fractional, at least 4-5 times a day.

To prepare dishes, it is better to use a slow cooker or a double boiler; stewing and steaming are allowed.

Prevention

Preventive measures play an important role in preventing candidiasis in babies. Regular adherence to simple rules will help keep the child’s body healthy and protect against thrush. It is important to remember that they should be observed every day. Any violation can lead to the appearance of adverse symptoms of candidiasis.

In order to avoid getting thrush, you should:

• Strengthen immunity. This is facilitated by proper nutrition, healthy sleep, and optimally selected physical activity. Severe stress significantly weakens the functioning of the immune system. It is better to exclude excessive psycho-emotional stress. Regular hardening also improves immunity.
• Favorable indoor microclimate. Many doctors believe that excessive dryness in the children's room, as well as incorrect temperature, can lead to the development of candidiasis. To maintain good health for your child, try to monitor the humidity in the room. Special devices that humidify the air will help with this.
• Take walks in the fresh air. It has been scientifically proven that oxygen has a detrimental effect on various microorganisms. Regular walks outside will help the immune system function better and improve your baby's endurance.
• Observe personal hygiene rules. Regular hand washing, cleaning nipples before and after breastfeeding, using personal towels and washcloths for the shower are simple ways to prevent contact infection with candidiasis. All family members should follow the rules of personal hygiene. Children should be taught this from the earliest years of life.

To learn how to treat oral candidiasis in children, see the following video.

Quite often, children develop thrush in the oral cavity. If the disease is mild, then parents may not immediately notice white spots in the baby’s mouth. However, he is bothered by itching and it hurts when he tries to bite off bread or an apple. The child is capricious, refuses to eat, and does not sleep. Sometimes you can only cope with a disease with the help of special medications. It is important to know how to alleviate the baby’s condition, speed up recovery, and prevent the return of the disease.

Content:

What is thrush

Oral candidiasis is fungal stomatitis, that is, inflammation of the oral mucosa. The causative agent of this contagious infectious disease is the Candida fungus. Fungi, like some other microorganisms, are constantly present in the human body in small quantities and live in the mucous membranes of the mouth, intestines, and genitals.

Fungi begin to develop when the natural balance of beneficial microflora and harmful microflora (to which they belong) is disrupted. This occurs when an infection occurs when a mass of fungi enters from the outside, from a sick person to a healthy one. Moreover, the disease occurs if the immune system is weak and there is a deficiency of beneficial bacteria that can kill fungi.

This is why thrush most often develops in children's mouths. They come into close contact with each other, play with common toys, and put them in their mouths, which creates conditions for infection with the fungus. The younger the child, the weaker his body’s immune defense (in childhood, immunity is in the development stage), the easier it is to become infected.

Video: The occurrence of candidiasis in infants. How to treat spots

Causes of thrush infection

Fungi enter the body of a newborn baby as follows:

1. Infection can occur even before birth through amniotic fluid and the placenta if the mother has genital candidiasis. During childbirth, the fungus enters the baby's oral cavity from the contents of the birth canal.
2. If a woman has nipple fungus, the baby becomes infected during feeding.
3. The likelihood of infection is high if you use a bottle with an unsterile nipple for this purpose or use a pacifier.
4. The infection enters the baby's oral cavity from the hands of a person caring for him who is sick with the fungus.
5. The fungus can be found in dust, on the fur of pets, on the skin of hands that are poorly washed after caring for animals, or processing various products in the kitchen (raw meat, milk, vegetables).
6. The death of beneficial bacteria and the development of thrush is facilitated by the use of antibiotics. Therefore, candidiasis appears in the child’s mouth if the mother takes antibiotics or the baby is treated with them.
7. The occurrence of thrush in a baby is facilitated by frequent regurgitation during feeding (for example, due to improper attachment to the breast, when the baby swallows a lot of air). In this case, the milk remains in the oral cavity and begins to ferment.

Premature babies often get sick. Breast milk contains substances that suppress the growth of pathogenic microflora in the baby. Children who are bottle-fed are deprived of such protection, so thrush occurs more often in them.

Human saliva also has protective properties. Drying of the oral mucosa due to increased dryness of the surrounding air and insufficient fluid intake also contributes to the development of fungus in the oral cavity.

Children over 1 year of age can become infected by eating poorly washed fruits and vegetables, raw milk or unboiled water. The fungus can be found in raw meat. If it is stored in the refrigerator or processed next to prepared food, then fungi also get into it. The main routes of fungus penetration into the body are household (through toothbrushes, dishes) and airborne droplets (inhalation of dust).

Warning: Particular attention from parents is required when thrush occurs in a child over 1 year old, if he has not had to take antibiotics in the near future and there have been no cases of infection of other children in the child care facility he visits. He needs to be examined for other diseases.

The occurrence of stomatitis is facilitated by any factors that lead to a decrease in immunity (lack of vitamins in food, lack of sleep, frequent colds). Chronic thrush in a child's mouth is sometimes a sign of diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders and serious diseases (HIV, leukemia).

Symptoms of the disease

The first symptoms of oral thrush are redness of the mucous membrane and the appearance of swelling in the palate, gums, throat, tongue and inner surface of the cheeks. Then white spots appear, which gradually merge, forming a cheesy coating with a grayish or yellow tint.

Children feel pain and burning in the mouth, it hurts them to swallow. Particularly unpleasant sensations occur when sour, spicy, hot or hard food enters the oral cavity. They refuse food and cry. In this case, babies often burp. Lack of nutrition and stress lead to developmental delays and poor weight gain.

The fungus appears in the corners of the mouth, and, unlike the jams formed due to vitamin deficiency, in this case the cracks are covered with a cheesy coating, and the area around them turns red. This type of thrush occurs when babies suck their fingers or pacifiers.

When thrush spreads to the pharynx, difficulty swallowing occurs; older children complain of a feeling of a lump in the throat. If the baby does not take the breast, turns away and cries, pushes out the pacifier with his tongue, then it is necessary to examine his mouth to see if there are any spots or plaque inside.

Symptoms for various forms of thrush

The disease occurs in mild or severe form. A moderate condition may occur.

Light form. A reddish rash appears in the oral cavity, covered with a white coating. For a quick recovery, it is enough to treat the surface with an antiseptic solution.

The disease is of moderate severity. Merging white spots appear on the red and swollen mucosa. Under the cheesy coating there is a bleeding surface. The tongue is covered with a white coating.

Severe form. Redness and swelling spread to the entire oral cavity, throat, lips, tongue. The entire surface is covered with a solid white film. Body temperature rises, general health worsens. The baby cannot swallow, which leads to starvation and dehydration.

In addition, the disease can be acute or chronic.

In the acute course of thrush, symptoms such as dry mouth and plaque formation on the mucous membranes are pronounced. Gradually, the films move to the corners of the mouth, where ulcers form. The submandibular lymph nodes can be easily palpated.

With the transition of thrush to the chronic stage, the lymph nodes become even more dense. The spots acquire a brown tint, protrude above the surface, and connect to each other. Swelling and pain intensify.

Complications of thrush

Complications arise if thrush is severe and becomes chronic. It is possible for a fungal infection to spread to the intestines, lungs, and genitourinary organs. This leads to disruption of the digestive system and inflammation of the respiratory system. Girls often develop vaginal candidiasis, which causes inflammatory diseases and disorders in the development of the genital organs.

Complications include exhaustion and dehydration in severe forms of the disease. If the child cannot eat and drink, then it must be treated in the hospital.

Diagnostics

In the acute stage, thrush can be confused with tonsillitis or diphtheria, so only a visual examination is not enough, laboratory diagnostics are required.

To diagnose the disease and prescribe medications, a bacterial culture of plaque formed in the oral cavity of a child is done to determine the type of fungus, sensitivity to antifungal agents. Laryngoscopy is performed (examination of the pharynx and larynx using a special device) to determine the depth of spread of the fungus into the respiratory organs.

Determine the content of glucose in the blood (sugar test) to determine the presence or absence of diabetes. A general blood test is done for the content of leukocytes, the main function of which is to protect the body from infection. Blood is taken from a vein to analyze for antibodies to infections, to assess the state of immunity.

Addition: It is much more difficult to treat chronic thrush, so it is important to correctly diagnose an acute disease and take all measures to eliminate it.

Video: What means can treat stomatitis in children

Treatment of children for oral thrush

With this disease, it is required, first of all, to eliminate the possibility of the spread of infection and re-infection of children. It is necessary to stop the growth of fungi and relieve the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of newborns and infants

Children's doctors point out that with a mild form of thrush in the mouth, a newborn child does not need treatment. It is enough just to take measures to alleviate his condition.

It is necessary to maintain cleanliness in the room. The temperature should be no higher than 19°C, humidity – about 40-60%. Don't forget that mold grows quickly in warm, damp air. Its appearance will cause even more serious diseases, the treatment for which is much more difficult than for thrush. Mold develops when air humidity is above 75%. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently ventilate the room, maintaining optimal conditions.

As pediatrician E. Komarovsky emphasizes, parents need to monitor normal nasal breathing, otherwise the oral mucosa will dry out, microcracks will appear, and fungus will begin to develop. If the mucous membranes are in normal condition, the growth of fungi will stop and thrush will disappear without treatment.

In case of advanced thrush, treatment should be carried out only with the help of medications. The oral cavity is treated with solutions of antiseptic and antifungal agents. To clean the oral mucosa in children, doctors and traditional healers recommend using a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water) or a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Moisten a sterile cotton swab and wipe the baby's entire mouth.

The affected areas are treated with a nystatin suspension (the tablet is crushed, a few tablespoons of slightly warm water are added). This treatment is repeated up to 6 times a day. For the same purpose, a Candide solution based on clotrimazole is used (used only as prescribed by a doctor). Treatment is carried out 2-4 times a day.

If the baby is already 6 months old, then in case of moderate or severe disease, treatment is carried out with the drugs “Futsis DT”, “Fluconazole”, “Diflucan”, “Mikosist”. The dose is calculated by the doctor individually, taking into account the child’s weight.

Treatment of children over 1 year of age

For children over 1 year of age, treatment is prescribed with soda rinses, antifungal medications, as well as lubricating the affected areas and applying nystatin ointment, Lugol's solution (contains iodine) or Miramistin ointment (antiseptic).

If the baby has already learned to rinse his mouth, you can use a mixture of 1 crushed nystatin tablet, 10 ml of saline solution and 1 ampoule of vitamin B12. In addition, to strengthen the immune system during treatment, the child is prescribed B vitamins, iron supplements (for example, Ferrum Lek syrup), and calcium.

In case of severe itching, antihistamine gel “Fenistil” is applied to the lips and skin around the mouth, making sure that it does not get into the baby’s mouth and eyes.

From 3 years of age, antiseptic sprays “Gexoral” and “Maxicold ENT” can be used to treat the oral cavity.

During treatment, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of infection: sterilize nipples, bottles and other utensils from which the child eats and drinks, and treat toys with antiseptic agents. A nursing mother should, in addition to washing with soap, treat her breasts with a solution of miramistin.

If the mother or baby was treated with antibiotics, then stopping their use is carried out only in accordance with the doctor’s instructions, otherwise a sharp exacerbation of the diseases for which they were prescribed may occur.

Diet for thrush

During the period of treatment of candidiasis, it is necessary to exclude from the diet of the baby (or nursing mother) all sweets, spicy, salty, sour foods, as well as products made from yeast dough, mushrooms, dairy products, carbonated drinks, coffee and black tea. The child should be given semi-liquid porridge, well-cooked lean meat and fish, boiled eggs, potatoes, and baked apples. You can give your baby warm chamomile tea and clean water.

Traditional medicine

For mild forms of oral thrush in children, you can use popular remedies to relieve discomfort. They help cleanse the mouth and relieve irritation of the mucous membrane.

To rinse your mouth, you can use an infusion of St. John's wort, calendula, sage, eucalyptus (1 tablespoon of dry herb or leaves is infused for 0.5 hours in 1 glass of boiling water). This helps to heal wounds in the mouth, eliminate swelling and inflammation. Infants rub their tongue and mouth with a cotton swab moistened with these products. They have a disinfecting effect and eliminate itching.

To treat candidiasis in older children, aloe juice is used, which has a strong anti-inflammatory and healing effect. You can rinse your mouth with diluted juice.

Video: Prevention of thrush in young children

Prevention of thrush

In order to protect an infant from infection with thrush, it is necessary to constantly remember that unsterile nipples, toys, and mechanical devices to facilitate teething should not get into his mouth.

During pregnancy, a woman should undergo treatment for vaginal candidiasis. When treating with antibiotics or hormonal drugs, it is necessary to take products containing lactobacilli in order to restore beneficial microflora.

It is necessary to protect the child from communicating with people sick with any fungal diseases. From an early age, it is necessary to teach children how to properly brush their teeth, rinse their mouth, and wash their hands.

To ensure that the child does not have vitamin deficiency and the necessary intestinal environment is formed, it is necessary to gradually introduce fermented milk products, as well as vegetables and fruits, into the baby’s diet from 6 months.

Warning: It is important to remember that self-treatment for advanced forms of thrush is unacceptable. Serious complications may arise. Any medications are used for children only as prescribed by a doctor.

Oral thrush is a contagious disease caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. It can develop at any age, and in children, starting from preschool age, it is a kind of marker of decreased immunity or the development of diabetes.

At the age of up to one year, it most often occurs due to the forced use of antibiotics by the child or his nursing mother, and in newborns - when passing through the birth canal colonized by Candida during childbirth.

And although the disease is registered in every fifth baby, at this age it is better treatable. The main thing is to pay attention to it in time and perform only those actions that the local pediatrician recommended in your case.

About the pathogen

Candida that causes thrush is a whole group of different fungi: Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis and pseudotropicalis, Candida guilliermondi. They live in the environment, as well as in the mouth, vagina and colon of humans, coexisting peacefully with other microorganisms and, as long as the immune system is strong, without causing signs of illness. As soon as special conditions are created in the body (general immunity decreases or the pH of the mucous membrane increases), Candida begins to actively multiply - thrush develops. The same situation can develop if a fairly large number of mushrooms of a more “aggressive” subspecies come into contact with a person from the environment.

The “favorite” conditions for the development of the Candida fungus are an acidic environment and a temperature of 30-37 degrees. Then they penetrate deeper into human tissue, secreting enzymes that dissolve tissue components (mainly proteins), and begin to multiply. Numerous nerve endings approach the tissues of the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx, and when the cells are damaged, a signal goes through the nerves to the brain, and it gives the command to notify the person himself so that some measures can be taken. This is how the symptoms of thrush arise: pain, burning in the mouth, which is why the child refuses to eat and drink.

When favorable conditions are created for the Candida microbe, it actively multiplies, forming long chains of cells with a weak connection between them - pseudomycelium. This structure, as well as destroyed mucosal cells, food debris and substances called fibrin and keratin, is the white coating that is found on the mucous membranes with thrush.

Having multiplied in sufficient numbers, microbes acquire the ability to spread along healthy tissues - skin and mucous membranes. Thus, a complication of untreated oral thrush can be damage to the pharynx, esophagus and other internal organs. The fungus can also enter the bloodstream, causing blood poisoning - sepsis.

Candida is easily transmitted from person to person through direct contact of infected skin or mucous membranes with uninfected tissue. And if at a certain moment the microbe finds itself in a situation unfavorable for its own life and reproduction, it becomes covered with a double protective shell and goes into “hibernation,” which can last indefinitely.

Causes of the disease

Thrush in a child’s mouth occurs when a fungus gets on his mucous membranes:

Thrush appears very often in an infant - up to one year, 5-20% of children suffer from this disease, some more than once. This is explained by the fact that the immunity of the mucous membranes of the mouth in such babies has not yet been formed; the microflora living there is subject to frequent changes. And the epithelium itself, from which the surface of the oral cavity is made, is not yet fully formed. Therefore, thrush that occurs before one year is not a reason to panic.

An urgent need to be examined arises if parents see thrush in the mouth of a child over one year old, when he has not taken antibiotics in the next month.

How to spot thrush in time

It is extremely difficult to recognize oral thrush in children by the first symptoms: redness and swelling that can appear on the roof of the mouth, tonsils, gums, tongue and the inside of the cheeks. Next, on the red shiny background of the mucous membrane, which is already beginning to hurt and itch, white grains appear, similar to semolina. They can be easily removed with a spoon.

The next stage will be an increase in plaque, which is already becoming similar to the remains of cottage cheese in the mouth (less often, it has a grayish or yellowish tint). If you remove them with a blunt object (spoon, spatula), a red shiny surface will be visible underneath them, on which, if you scrape hard, droplets of blood appear, resembling dew. Changes in the mucous membrane are accompanied by pain and burning in the mouth. They get worse when swallowing and eating food, especially if it is spicy, hot or sour. There is also a metallic taste in the mouth. Because of this, the child cries and refuses to eat. In the absence of treatment at this stage, or if the child’s immunity is severely suppressed, the white films spread further and further, the body temperature rises, sleep is disturbed, the infant may spit up frequently and stop gaining weight.

The feeling of a “lump in the throat,” which only older children can complain about, is a sign that the thrush has spread to the throat.

Sometimes thrush in children looks like a jam - a crack in the corner of the mouth. It differs from cracks formed due to vitamin A deficiency in that there is redness around the crack, and it itself is covered with a whitish coating. Candidiasis is rarely accompanied by fever or deterioration of the general condition, but it makes opening the mouth painful. This form of thrush occurs more often in children who suck a pacifier or thumb.

Thus, parents of infants should be wary and examine the child's mouth if he:

• cries when he puts a pacifier or breast in his mouth;
• refuses breastfeeding;
• capricious, he has an elevated temperature without snot and cough.

Severity of oral thrush

Let's consider how oral candidiasis can occur in children, so that from the very beginning parents can understand how the disease will have to be treated - in a hospital or at home.

Mild course

First, red spots appear on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, which are soon covered with white plaques, similar to cottage cheese and not tending to merge. If you clean off the plaques, there will just be redness underneath.

Moderate course

Separate cheesy plaques appear on the mucous membranes on a red and swollen background, they merge and gradually cover the entire mucous membrane. If you remove such a plaque, a bleeding surface is discovered underneath, the touch of which is accompanied by pain and crying of the baby. A large layer of white “curd” collects on the tongue.

The baby feels pain when chewing (suckling) and swallowing, so he begins to refuse food or become restless before eating.

Severe thrush

After large areas of the mucous membrane redden, to which the child reacts with anxiety and crying, cheesy deposits appear on them. These plaques appear on the tongue, on the mucous membrane of the cheeks, on the gums, and even spread to the lips and throat - creating the appearance of one large white film.

The child’s general condition also suffers: his temperature rises, he refuses to eat, and becomes lethargic. If no action is taken, dehydration occurs, and the microbe can penetrate deep into the intestines.

How to make a diagnosis

Of course, you may suspect thrush when you compare the manifestations visible in your own child's mouth with pictures showing the manifestations of this disease. But a pediatrician or ENT doctor will make an accurate diagnosis. True, it also requires confirmation in the form of culture of plaque taken from the mouth. The fact is that there are several Candida infections, and not all of them respond to standard therapy. Then, if the initially prescribed treatment does not help, based on bacterial culture and determining the sensitivity of the fungus to antifungal drugs, the doctor will be able to prescribe a reasonable treatment that is suitable for a child of this age.

Any medium on which bacteriological culture is performed to search for bacteria is not suitable for diagnosing thrush. Therefore, in the direction for analysis, the doctor indicates either a presumptive diagnosis (“Candidiasis”), or indicates the medium on which the material needs to be inoculated (for example, “Candichrom II”).

The culture is taken on an empty stomach, before the child drinks water or brushes his teeth.

Diagnosis may require a research technique such as indirect laryngoscopy, which is performed by an ENT doctor. It is needed in order to understand how deeply the lesion spreads - whether it covers the pharynx and larynx or not. This requires special efforts from parents, the doctor and his assistant.

Also important for diagnosis:

• general blood test: it will show the level of inflammation and the body’s involvement in this process; based on this analysis, leukemia can be suspected;
• blood glucose (since thrush is a marker of diabetes mellitus);
• immunogram - during the illness, as well as a month after it, to assess the activity of the immune system.

Treatment

Either an ENT doctor or a pediatrician should tell you how to treat thrush in a child’s mouth: the disease is serious, and there are restrictions on medications in childhood.

So, treatment of thrush in children in the mouth begins with:

• stop the entry of fungus into the oral cavity: boil all jars, nipples, treat toys, nursing mothers will need to wash their breasts with laundry soap and treat nipples between feedings with Miramistin (Miramidez) solution;
• exclude sweet foods from the diet of the nursing mother or the child (if a child older than one year is sick).

Diet for a nursing mother or child over one year old:

• Antibiotics, although they cause the development of thrush, cannot be canceled on their own: this can lead to serious complications from those infections that the action of the antibacterial drug was aimed at destroying.

Local treatment

Oral treatment is the basis of treatment for children under 6 months, and a mandatory component of treatment for older children.

For children under 6 months of age, treatment consists of treating the oral cavity:

• 1% soda solution, which is prepared from 1 teaspoon of baking soda, which is added to 1 liter of warm boiled water and mixed thoroughly;
• Candide solution, which should be applied to a cotton ball and remove plaque with it 3-4 times a day. This drug should only be prescribed by a doctor.

If a child has a fever, or the cheesy coating spreads quickly, take your 1% soda solution and go to a hospital for hospitalization: there the child will receive the help necessary to maintain his condition.

For children older than 6 months, but only as prescribed by a pediatrician, you can use the drug "Futsis DT". It should be taken in a dose of 3 mg/kg (that is, if a child weighs 8 kg, then only half a tablet), dissolve it in 4-5 ml of boiled water, and treat the oral cavity with it, without fear that the child will swallow it. For this purpose, you can take the Candide solution and, without diluting it, treat the areas of inflammation. From 6 months you can also use Miramistin solution.

For children over 6 months of age, in cases of moderate to severe disease, systemic treatment can be prescribed - Fluconazole (Mikosist, Diflucan) at a dose of 3 mg/kg per day once. To do this, take a tablet or capsule of the drug containing 50 mg, dissolve in 5 ml of boiled water and give as many ml as needed (for example, for a child weighing 10 kg this is 30 mg, that is, 3 ml).

For children over 1 year of age, in addition to Fluconazole at a dosage of 3 mg/kg body weight per day, and soda rinses, the following are also prescribed:

• local treatment of lesions with nystatin ointment (especially in the case of candidiasis), Miramistin, Lugol's solution (if there is no allergy to iodine);
• You can use (provided that the child does not swallow) a rinse prepared in this way: crush the Nystatin tablet, dissolve (to the maximum) in 10 ml of saline sodium chloride solution and 1 ampoule of vitamin B12;
• B vitamins;
• iron supplements (“Ferrum-Lek” syrup);
• calcium gluconate;
• for itching - antihistamines (Fenistil, Erius).

Please note: the drug "Vfend" ("Voriconazole") is not used up to 5 years, "Nystatin" - up to 12 years. Treating the oral cavity with Hexoral or Maxicold ENT sprays is possible only from the age of 3, when the child learns to hold his breath before topical application of the drug.

If, due to damage to the oral mucosa, a child refuses to eat and drink, going to the hospital is mandatory. Fasting and lack of fluid intake into the body cannot be therapeutic.

How to treat the oral cavity in children under 3 years old

To carry out processing you need:

• 2 sterile gauze of such a size that you can wrap them around your finger;
• a glass of boiled water, cooled to room temperature;
• antiseptic solution (usually Miramistin) or soda.

First, the parent washes their hands. Then he unseals the gauze, wraps it around his index finger, dips it in a glass of water and carefully removes the deposits from his mouth. Next, you need to throw away this gauze, take a new one, and repeat the same manipulation with a soda solution or antiseptic.

This manipulation should be performed 5-6 times a day, after feeding and at night.

Disease prevention

It consists of observing the following measures:

• boiling nipples and bottles;
• washing your breasts before feeding;
• processing of toys;
• treatment of thrush during pregnancy;
• timely consumption of lactic acid bacteria during treatment with antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
• restricting access to the child to people with diseases of the oral cavity, hands and nails;
• early brushing of teeth using boiled water and special brushes;
• timely, but not early introduction of complementary foods, optimally from fresh vegetables, fruits and dairy products.

Candidiasis, or, as it is otherwise called, thrush, most often affects newborn children and babies with weakened immune systems.

A newborn becomes infected from a sick mother while passing through the birth canal, or infection can occur as a result of negligent treatment of the child by medical personnel and their failure to comply with sanitary standards of behavior in the workplace. Therefore, the mother must ensure that the baby is not fed from common nipples and that the changing tables are covered with disposable diapers.

Older children may get sick due to weakened immunity and when candida multiplies against this background.

So, what is candidiasis, how is it usually expressed in children and what is its treatment, let’s find out below.

How does candidiasis develop in children?

Candidiasis in children and adults refers to fungal diseases and appears due to candida fungus. External manifestations of the disease are characterized by curd-like manifestations, and internal organs may also be affected.

Candida can appear on the mucous membranes of different organs in a person, but it is normal that when it is present in small quantities, it does not interfere with health at all. Active reproduction of the fungus begins when a person has a compromised immune system and does not receive sufficient nutrients and does not have a good blood supply. Thus, in conditions of a weakened immune environment, the fungus begins to multiply and infect the tissues of the mucous membrane on the internal organs of a person, on the skin, and genitals.

Candidiasis in children and adults develops due to the following factors:

1. weakening of the human body’s defenses;
2. frequent colds;
3. long-term use of antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
4. thyroid disease;
5. diabetes;
6. the presence of hypovitaminosis;
7. poor nutrition;
8. presence of chronic diseases;
9. HIV or other signs of immunodeficiency;
10. dysbacteriosis;
11. prematurity.

Exists next classification of this disease depending on the affected organ:

• damage to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals and ENT organs (stomatitis, gingivitis, vulvovaginitis, balanoposthitis);
  • skin lesions;
  • nail lesions;
• damage to internal organs, including digestive, respiratory and urinary (cystitis, urethritis, laryngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia);
• an allergic reaction to candida, which can manifest itself in the form of urticaria, bronchial asthma and other diseases.

Candidiasis in children: main symptoms

So, let's look at what symptoms are characteristic of this or that type of candidiasis in children. Many symptoms may not differ from symptoms of other diseases Therefore, a diagnosis of the disease is needed in order to prescribe the correct treatment for thrush in children.

Most often in children, thrush manifests itself in the form of damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth. It is accompanied by itching and pain. Often parents and even doctors confuse it with aphthous stomatitis, which is a consequence of herpes, and prescribe the wrong treatment. However, for thrush The following symptoms are typical:

1. dry mouth;
2. redness in the mouth;
3. deterioration of appetite or loss of appetite;
4. general deterioration of condition;
5. white cheesy appearance on the gums, palate, lips or cheeks from the inside;

Sometimes parents believe that such deposits remain after the child has eaten dairy products. However, if they are too plentiful and do not resemble the consistency of the dairy products that the child consumed, this is a thrush that requires treatment.

Another type of candidiasis in children is fungal sore throat, which may appear as a result of improper or long-term treatment of a child’s sore throat. It manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms:

1. normal body temperature;
2. abundant curd-like deposits on the tonsils;
3. sometimes – pain and burning in the throat, but not always.

Often, Candida fungi can provoke intestinal dysbacteriosis, as well as vice versa. Dysbacteriosis is typical for both newborns and adults. To check for the presence of a fungal infection, you should pass a special analysis for dysbacteriosis.

If a child's skin is affected by thrush, it manifests itself in the form of redness and small lesions, dense spots and raised blisters on the skin.

And with genital thrush, girls complain of burning and itching in the genital organs on their outer part and the appearance of white thick discharge, reminiscent of cottage cheese. In boys, there is redness of the head and foreskin of the genital organ, as well as creamy discharge in the area of ​​the urethra.

Treatment of candidiasis in children and its prevention

Naturally, the treatment of candidiasis in children depends on its manifestation and focus, as well as severity of the disease. If you have this disease, you should follow a diet during treatment and take additional measures:

1. the consumption of sweets, milk and yeast-based flour products is limited;
2. the diet as part of the treatment is enriched with meat, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits (all foods that are rich in minerals and vitamins);
3. products such as cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir or yogurt should not be excluded from the diet, but their consumption should be kept to a minimum;
4. the child should wear underwear made exclusively from cotton;
5. temporarily stop using diapers.

The fact is that synthetic fabrics and diapers limit the access of air to the child’s body, and excessive overheating during the treatment of thrush can only aggravate it.

Local treatment of candidiasis for a particular lesion

If due to thrush in a child affected skin and mucous membrane, then it is recommended to give him a soda-based solution if we are talking about stomatitis. In this case, you first need to make a solution, take a bandage, wrap your finger around it, dip it in the solution and then treat the child’s mouth in this way.

Also, in case of damage to the mucous membrane or skin, such treatment methods:

If infection affects the nails, then you can use iodine solution, all kinds of ointments like levorin, clotrimazole, decamine and mycoseptin. If your toenails are damaged, it is recommended to make a foot bath based on salt, tea tree oil, lavender and other medicinal herbs.

Self-medication should never be prescribed without the participation of a doctor, especially for internal medications and ointments.

If there is severe candidiasis, the doctor has the right to prescribe antifungal drugs.

Also, general treatment for candidiasis may include taking the following substances:

1. probiotics (preparations based on living beneficial cultures);
2. vitamins of groups C and B;
3. folic acid;
4. brewer's yeast;
5. drugs to enhance immunity.

Please note that if thrush is poorly treated and goes on for too long, it may be a sign of immune deficiency. In such cases, the child should be taken to the doctor immediately.

Preventive actions

In order to prevent the appearance of thrush in a newborn child, a pregnant woman should identify the presence of thrush in advance, have it examined in time and, if possible, treated before birth. Also, the newborn should be put to the breast immediately.

In addition, in the maternity hospital you should strictly observe the rules of sanitation and hygiene, this applies to both young mothers and their visitors, as well as maternity hospital workers.

If at the birth of a child there is a suspicion of reduced immunity, he should be examined and determined whether the baby has candidiasis or another disease.

If these rules are followed, the risk of thrush in a child will be minimized both at birth and later.

Content

The causative agents of fungal diseases are fungi of the genus Candida. More often, newborn babies are exposed to candidiasis (thrush), since they still have a very weak immune system. A baby, no matter whether it is a boy or a girl, can become infected from a sick mother when passing through the birth canal. Also, candidiasis in children often occurs due to taking a large number of antibiotics, which results in the development of symptoms of intestinal fungus. To avoid complications, it is important to recognize a fungal infection in time and carry out adequate therapy.

What is candidiasis in children

Candida albican fungi are harmless microorganisms that are not capable of causing disease in a healthy body. However, as soon as some factors disrupt the functioning of the immune system, these yeast-like fungi begin to actively multiply, causing the most unpleasant symptoms. Candidiasis in a child develops faster than in an adult. Premature babies, children suffering from congenital immunodeficiency, and boys and girls of adolescence are especially susceptible to thrush.

Causes of the disease

Candidiasis in an infant usually occurs due to poor hygiene. Unsterile diapers and dirty nipples quickly lead to thrush. Older children get sick due to several factors:

• frequent colds;
• long-term or uncontrolled treatment with hormonal drugs or antibiotics;
• impaired immunity due to chronic pathologies;
• poor nutrition;
• the presence of hypovitaminosis;
• diabetes mellitus and other endocrine diseases;
• intestinal dysbiosis.

Symptoms of thrush in children

The signs of candidiasis are different and depend on the location of the fungal infection. The infectious process can affect all tissues of the body, which over time leads to damage to internal organs (chronic generalized candidiasis). More often, thrush appears on the mucous membranes in the form of cheesy deposits of a white or whitish-yellow hue. Pathology can also affect smooth tissues, which manifests itself in the appearance of erosions. Let's take a closer look at the symptoms of fungal infection at different locations.

In the oral cavity

At the initial stage, candidiasis in children in the oral cavity appears as red spots that appear on the mucous membrane. Soon they are covered with white plaques that do not tend to merge. With moderate fungal stomatitis in a child, the cheesy plaques first become swollen, and then, merging, cover the entire surface of the mucous membrane. A whole layer of cheesy coating collects on the tongue. In severe cases of oral candidiasis, the baby experiences the following symptoms:

• the body temperature rises, he becomes lethargic, refuses to eat;
• a white coating appears on the tongue and spreads to the tonsils, throat and lips;
• If no measures are taken, intestinal candidiasis will develop in the child.

Fungal skin infection

During the first month of life, doctors diagnose skin candidiasis in 23% of children. The pathology is accompanied by itching and peeling of the epithelium along the edges of the affected area. Yeast diaper rash occurs in large folds of the skin, and small ulcers appear. In the infant, vesicles filled with fluid form in the inguinal-scrotal area. When they open, they leave erosions on the skin. Foci of infection in boys can spread to the genitals and inner thighs. In this case, redness of the head and foreskin and creamy discharge are observed.

Nail candidiasis

This type of pathology is a fungal infection of the nail fold and plate. As a rule, children suffer from the middle fingers of both hands and toenails. The main symptoms of this type of fungus:

1. Inflammation of the nail fold. The area around the nail becomes red, swollen, and throbbing pain appears.
2. Stopping the growth of nail skin. Inflammation subsides over time, the cushion becomes thicker, and the nail skin stops growing.
3. Changes in the structure of the nail plate. At the third stage of development of the fungus, the nail plate is affected. It becomes cloudy, dull, and turns brown or gray-yellow. Peeling begins at the edges.
4. The nail falls off. Blood circulation is impaired, which leads to loss of the nail plate.

Fungus in the intestines of a child

This fungal pathology in children often develops against the background of other diseases, so correct diagnosis is extremely important. The main symptoms of intestinal candidiasis:

• painful sensations in the stomach after eating;
• diarrhea;
• increased gas formation;
• loose stools with cheesy white flakes in the stool;
• rumbling and bloating;
• sleep disturbance;
• weakness, increased fatigue;
• increased body temperature (sometimes),

Types and forms of the disease

Depending on the clinical manifestations, thrush can occur in acute, atrophic or pseudomembranous form. Based on the extent of the lesion, candidiasis is divided into focal and generalized. According to the degree of tissue damage - superficial and deep. According to the international classification, fungal infection is divided into types:

• fungal vulvovaginitis (colpitis);
• vaginal candidiasis (thrush);
• pulmonary candidiasis;
• candidal meningitis;
• candidal endocarditis;
• candidiasis of the genitourinary system;
• fungal infection of nails and skin;
• candidal stomatitis;
• visceral candidiasis;
• esophageal candidiasis.

Diagnostics

If your child suspects thrush, you should contact your pediatrician. The doctor will visually identify a fungal infection, because the clinical picture of the disease is obvious. If it is difficult to make a diagnosis or to ensure its reliability, the baby is sent for clinical examinations. A scraping is performed from the affected area, from which the fungus is microscopically identified. Sometimes more expensive methods are indicated: RIF, ELISA, PCR.

Treatment of candidiasis in children

Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the fungus, depending on its location and severity. Traditional therapy includes a set of different measures: adjusting nutrition and lifestyle, using local antibacterial agents, taking systemic medications, and for acute infections, antibiotic treatment. The scope of treatment measures is selected by the doctor individually. The duration of treatment depends on the resistance of Candida fungi and the characteristics of the pathology. Self-medication of thrush in a child can cause irreparable harm to his health.

Local treatment

In most cases, local treatment is enough for young patients to eliminate the disease. Therapy for thrush always begins with it when the mucous membrane or skin is affected. Antifungal solutions, creams, ointments, powders, gels, lotions are used. The most common:

1. Candide powder. Produced for the treatment of fungal infections. Apply to affected areas twice a day. Duration of therapy is 3-4 weeks. The powder can be sprayed onto the child's clothes and shoes. During use, a burning sensation may occur at the sites where the drug is applied. Do not use if your baby is prone to allergies.
2. Diflucan solution. Effective against yeast-like and moldy fungi. Highly effective in the treatment of thrush in newborns. With gauze soaked in the solution, it is necessary to wipe the baby’s throat or other affected areas 2-3 times a day. Do not use an antiseptic if you are intolerant to the components of the drug.

Antifungal ointments

The pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of ointments for fungus. The most effective among them are:

1. Nystatin ointment. Antibiotic with antifungal action. Destroys the membrane of fungi, which leads to their death. Nystatin should be used by applying a thin layer to the affected areas 2 times a day. It is recommended to use the ointment for 10 days. Cannot be used for peptic ulcers, chronic liver diseases, pancreatitis.
2. Amphocetrin B. Antifungal antibiotic of local action. For childhood candidiasis, apply a thin layer to the lesions 2-4 times a day for 1-2 weeks. In case of overdose, side effects may occur in the form of itching, swelling, and rash at the application sites.

General treatment

For long-term candidiasis, when local therapy does not help the child, systemic treatment is prescribed. Antifungal drugs, antibiotics, vitamins B and C, and probiotics are used in tablet form. The most popular drugs:

1. Levorin. Belongs to the group of polyene antibiotics. Has activity against yeast-like fungi. A child under 6 years of age is prescribed 25,000 units/day, after 6 years – 200,000 units/day 2-4 times/day. The duration of treatment is 7-14 days. Contraindications for the drug: acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, renal or liver failure.
2. Probifor. A probiotic that regulates the balance of intestinal microflora. Indicated for candidiasis, dermatitis, during the use of antibiotics. Take 1 capsule (sachet) 3-4 times/day. The course of treatment is from 2 to 5 days. There is only one contraindication – individual intolerance to the components.

Diet

It doesn’t matter whether thrush develops in boys or girls, but during treatment you must adhere to a certain diet. The fact is that Candida fungi feed on certain foods that humans eat, which allows them to grow and reproduce. For this reason, during treatment you should stop using:

• sweets (cookies, candies, cakes, ice cream, chocolate, baked goods);
• sugar and sweeteners;
• white bread;
• sweet fruits;
• jam, honey, condensed milk, jam;
• marinades, sauces, vinegar;
• fresh milk.

Folk remedies

Unlike antifungal medications, when treating candidiasis with folk recipes, there are no side effects, and there is a milder effect on the child’s body. Therapy is carried out both systemically and locally:

1. Soda solution. Effective for oral candidiasis in infants and older children. To use, you need to dilute 1 tsp. baking soda in a glass of water, soak a piece of sterile bandage and remove the white plaque in the child’s mouth several times a day until the problem is eliminated.
2. Chamomile and calendula tea. An excellent tool for maintaining immunity in candidiasis. You need to brew chamomile and calendula flowers in equal parts, leave in a thermos for 6-8 hours, then add 100 ml of boiling water to 50 ml of concentrated infusion and drink 30 minutes before each meal for 10 days in a row.