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Tongue fungus causes and treatment
In most cases, immunocompromised persons such as babies, old people or patients with immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS affected by a fungus on the tongue. In addition, other causes such as e.g. Infectious diseases, diabetes mellitus or certain medications such as cortisone-containing asthma sprays or antibiotics. Normally, a fungal infection on the tongue harmless, but should be consulted with the appropriate symptoms in each case to clarify the cause of a doctor. If the infection is recognized in good time and treated specifically, the complaints usually resolve after about a week, with various home remedies can provide effective support.
contents
- Definition of fungus on the tongue
- symptoms
- Causes of tongue fungus
- Tongue fungus in babies
- Treatment for tongue fungus / medication
- Naturopathy therapy with tongue fungus
Definition of fungus on the tongue
In a so-called "tongue fungus" is an infectious disease in the mouth and throat area, which is caused by certain yeasts and medically referred to as "oral thrush". In most cases, it is the widespread fungus Candida albicans, which is found as a "harmless inhabitant" on the mucous membranes of many people. In particular, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, the genital area and the digestive tract are affected, but it is also possible to colonize fingers and toes as well as nails. As long as the fungus does not spread, it is not a health hazard per se. However, in certain circumstances excessive, uncontrolled proliferation can lead to very unpleasant symptoms and, in some cases, serious or even life-threatening infections.
So the tongue is examined for an existing coating. Image: eyetronic / fotolia.com symptoms
Typical for a fungal infection on the tongue are small milky-white nodules that sometimes converge to larger, merging white spots and adhere to the tongue mucosa. The pads can be wiped away and the areas can easily bleed afterwards. In addition to the tongue coating may lead to other symptoms, typical are, for example, mouth burning, mild dysphagia and bad breath, a "furry" feeling on the tongue and a dry mouth, taste disorders and strong thirst.
In babies, moreover, often shows a drinking weakness, also often occurs in parallel to a so-called "Windelsoor", which leads to severe redness, pustules and wet and open spots in the butt area. In rare cases, the esophagus is also affected by the infection of the mouth and tongue. This can lead to more discomfort such as heartburn, vomiting and pain behind the sternum.
Causes of tongue fungus
A tongue fungus is usually caused by an infection with the yeast Candida albicans (albicans = whitish) and in this case also called "thrush" or "candidosis". In this case, the Candida albicans per se no health risk, but in most people it is also on healthy skin or mucous settled and is a natural part of the oral flora dar. Since the spread of the fungus but by the immune system and in the mouth microorganisms is limited, usually no complaints. However, this natural balance of the oral flora may be confused in some circumstances, resulting in excessive proliferation of candida fungi ("opportunistic infection"). As a result, the typical white coating on the tongue develops, in the further course, the affected areas also often inflame and hurt.
For a disturbed balance of the oral flora, various causes come into consideration, but usually are immunosuppressed persons such as babies or preterm and old people or patients with congenital or acquired immune deficiency diseases such. AIDS affected. In addition, a tongue fungus may also be associated with cancer (such as colon cancer, acute leukemia, Hodgkin's disease) because cancer patients are generally more susceptible to pathogens. Since the mouth and tongue mucosa constantly renewed, their cells also divide very often, which - as well as the tumor cells - can be quickly attacked during chemotherapy or radiation.
In addition, an immune deficiency due to acute infectious diseases (pneumonia, influenza, etc.), metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or stress may occur. Even those who wear a denture, is more at risk of contracting a tongue or oral thrush. Because the fungi found under the dentures a good breeding grounds, they can quickly multiply excessively here and thereby lead to symptoms such as tongue coating and dysphagia.
In addition, there are other risk factors for tongue fungus, such as nicotine consumption, decreased saliva production or certain medications, such as cortisone-containing asthma sprays, as these impair or suppress the function of the immune system and thus promote an infection. A treatment with antibiotics can lead to an increase in fungal growth in otherwise healthy people, because in addition to the disease-causing and "healthy" bacteria destroyed in the body, which interferes with the natural balance of the oral flora.
Tongue fungus in babies
Fungal attack of the tongue is particularly common in newborns and babies, because although the immune system already works at birth, it is not fully developed at this time. Instead, in the early years of life, it must first "learn" to respond to various environmental stimuli. Accordingly, older children, on the other hand, rarely get sick. Here, it usually comes only to an infection when the natural defense is weakened or over a longer period antibiotics or cortisone had to be taken, whereby the balance of the oral flora is disturbed and the fungus can multiply unchecked.
However, newborns often become infected during childbirth, as many women find the candida fungus in the vagina. If the baby gets outside through the vagina during childbirth, it may get infected. In order to avoid an infection during childbirth, pregnant women should accordingly be treated accordingly if they suspect a vaginal yeast infection, precisely because this occurs quite often in the final stages of pregnancy.
In addition, as the fungus is also present in the mouth in adults, it can also be rapidly transmitted to the child when e.g. a fallen pacifier is licked. In addition, other sources of infection such as insufficiently sterilized bottle nipples or teething rings, which in infants. Also characteristic here are whitish deposits on the tongue, which are often reminiscent of milk residues, in contrast to these but not by drinking water or similar. to be eliminated. Often the pads can be wiped off at the beginning, but later they stick firmly to the tongue. Since the fungal infection is often accompanied by pain, also show swallowing and drinking problems, as well as a slight fever is observed.
Frequently occurs in babies parallel to a so-called "Windelsoor" in the butt area, because the skin in the diaper area is very sensitive and usually warm and humid, mushrooms find here an ideal breeding ground. Particularly quickly, the thrush in the diaper area, if the diaper is changed too rarely, because the skin damaging substances from urine and stool let the sensitive baby skin sore even faster. If the skin is attacked, the fungi settle quickly in the affected areas and lead to extremely unpleasant complaints. Visually, Windelsoor at first glance resembles the "normal" soreness (diaper rash), but spreads further in the form of small, red pustules (eg in the area of the groin). In addition, there are often open and wet spots or even small blisters on the skin.
Accordingly, especially with babies it is particularly important to pay close attention to a careful hygiene, as they like to take all available objects in the mouth. Since dirty hands can transmit the pathogen as well, mothers should always wash their hands carefully before and after breastfeeding and wrapping. If the child needs a pacifier, it is recommended to boil it for 20 minutes daily to thoroughly kill the mushrooms and replace it after the treatment. The individual parts of milk pumps must be boiled daily. Likewise, all toys that can be put into the mouth should be regularly cleaned with hot soapy water to prevent the infection from returning or being transmitted to other children.
Treatment for tongue fungus / medication
Tongue fungus is usually one of the more harmless diseases. Nevertheless, in any case (and especially in children!) In the near future, the family doctor or pediatrician should be visited, so that the causes can be clarified and targeted appropriate treatment measures can be initiated. The physician prescribes here as a rule special antifungals (antimycotics), which are suitable for the mouth and throat area. These include drugs with the active ingredient amphotericin B or nystatin, which are used locally in the form of mouthwashes, lozenges, gels of the suspensions used.
To combat the fungus, a thorough oral hygiene is essential. In addition to the regular brushing and cleaning of the tongue with a special tongue scraper is very important. With this you can just remove good deposits in the back of the tongue and thus withdraw the food base from the fungus. It is advisable to replace the toothbrush and other oral hygiene products to minimize the risk of infection.
For this purpose, prostheses should also be placed in a ready-to-use chlorhexidine solution for disinfection several times a week. In this context, it is also advisable to have the dentures regularly cleaned professionally by the dentist. If a breastfed baby is affected, the mother and baby must be treated at the same time to avoid transmission to the nipples. Here, the pediatrician z. B. prescribe a mouth gel against the thrush for the baby, which the mother can also apply to her nipples. If in this case only the child or only the mother were treated, the infection could not be contained, but would be constantly passed back and forth between the two by breastfeeding.
If these measures are insufficient or if systemic candidiasis is present, the antifungals can also be taken as a tablet or juice or given intravenously. In general, it is important in the treatment of a fungal disease that the funds are used regularly for a certain period of time to reliably kill the fungi. If treatment is discontinued prematurely, there is a risk that these will return. Accordingly, sufferers should strictly adhere to the intake requirements of the doctor.
Naturopathy therapy with tongue fungus
In addition, the field of alternative medicine offers some effective methods and applications for the treatment of a tongue fungus. Here, for example, the herbal medicine recommends the use of myrrh or Ratanhiatinkturen, which are spotted just like antimycotics directly on affected skin. If a normal anti-fungal agent is used at the same time, however, you should always consult a doctor or alternative practitioner in advance to avoid side effects or interactions.
Homeopathic remedies may also provide helpful support in the treatment of candidal infection in the tongue and mouth. These include, for example, with thick deposits on the tongue and bad breath Barax and Mercurius solubilis. If it comes in conjunction with a slightly bleeding and swollen mucous membrane to bad breath and tongue burn, also Ratanhia can be used. In addition, depending on the case, also potassium chloratum or Thuja occidentalis come into consideration. Since, however, the entire clinical picture of the affected person must always be taken into account here, an experienced homeopath or alternatively medical doctor should always be consulted before taking it.
Due to the infection-related mucosal irritations in the mouth and throat area, acidic and spicy foods and drinks should generally be avoided in order to avoid intensifying the pain. The same applies due to the entrapment effect for dairy products. As mushrooms feed on sugars, it is also advisable to avoid sugary foods and other isolated carbohydrates (white flour, starch, etc.) and alcohol during the illness.
If unpleasant bad breath occurs in the course of the tongue mushroom, also here various natural procedures can be an effective help. For example, a mouthwash with sage tea has proven itself. To do this, prepare an infusion of one teaspoon of dried sage leaves and one quarter of a liter of boiling water and leave to infuse for ten minutes. If the tea has cooled off slightly, rinse your mouth several times a day.
Also recommended are rinses with lemon water or apple cider vinegar, as well as the chewing of coffee beans, aniseed or ginger. Another helpful home remedy for bad breath is the so-called "pull oil", which can be done easily and easily at home. In this case, one tablespoon of cold pressed sesame or sunflower oil is stirred in the mouth for about ten to twenty minutes before brushing, then pressed through the teeth and finally spat out. Above all, it is crucial that the oil is kept in the mouth long enough for it to penetrate into hard-to-reach areas where it can develop its antibacterial effect.
It is central to a fungal infection that sufferers recognize that this is usually due to a weakening of the natural defense. Accordingly, it is always a warning signal of the body, which in any case should be examined by a careful medical examination to the bottom.
At the same time it makes sense to deal with one's own life circumstances: Am I under special stress? Do I suffer from mental stress, conflicts, worries etc.? Am I special environmental influences, conditions at work or similar? exposed who could harm me? Questions such as these can often help to detect possible reasons for the imbalance in defense and make changes in the personal area. In many cases, exercises and techniques for stress reduction such as autogenic training, yoga or meditation are helpful.
In addition, various home remedies and naturopathic procedures that strengthen the immune system. These include various medicinal plants such as sun hatch (Echinacea), taiga root (Eleutherokokkus) or the tree of life (Thuja).
In addition, applications such as a self-blood therapy or healing with essential oils (aromatherapy) have proven successful, as well as Schüssler salts or a Bach flower therapy tailored to the individual case to strengthen the natural defenses in question.
In order to rid the body holistically and permanently of pathogenic yeasts, in addition, offers a special anti-fungal diet and possibly a colon cleansing, but these steps should also not carried out on your own, but always discussed first with a health practitioner or doctor become. (No)
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