Puistje op de lip - Oorzaken, Behandeling en Preventie

Causes of Oral Thrush

Candida albicans is a naturally occurring fungus found on the body that the immune system can usually control. But when the immune system is substantially weakened, the fungus can suddenly grow out of control and cause a yeast infection.

Oral candidiasis is common in people with a compromised immune system. This is why it is often referred to as an "opportunistic infection" because it only occurs when a weakened immune system gives it the opportunity to thrive.

Oral thrush can also affect relatively healthy people if the yeast is given the "fuel" it needs to grow, such as high sugar levels in saliva.

Risk factors for oral candidiasis include:

• Immunosuppressive conditions like HIV and cancer
• Diabetes (in which high salivary sugar promotes fungal growth)
• Being very young or very old (both of whom tend to have weaker immune systems)
• Immunosuppressive drugs (commonly used for organ transplant recipients)
• Oral or inhaled steroids (which also temper the immune response)
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (which alter the balance of bacteria and yeast in the mouth)
  
• Smoking (which also alters the balance of microorganisms in the mouth)
• Salivary gland disorders like salivary stones or Sjögren's syndrome
• Wearing dentures (particularly if they aren't regularly cleaned)
• Eating a high carbohydrate diet (which increases sugar levels in the mouth)

Oral candidiasis is common in young children, elderly persons, and those with certain risk factors. It can also affect babies, particularly those under 6 months, as they don't yet have a fully developed immune system. Thrush can be passed to the infant during breastfeeding if the nipples are also infected.

Is Oral Thrush Contagious?

Oral thrush is not contagious. The fungus, Candida albicans, is present in the mouth, mucosal tissues, and skin of every human. Candida will only overgrow if the immune system is weak or factors like smoking or antibiotics promote its growth.

How to Prevent Lip Thrush

If you are vulnerable to lip thrush for whatever reason, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Stop smoking: Ask your healthcare provider about smoking cessation aids, many of which are fully covered by health insurance.
• Use a spacer on inhalers: Spacers are attachments that you place on the mouthpiece of aerosol inhalers. They limit your exposure to steroids and other inhaled drugs and keep them from coating your mouth.
• Maintain good oral hygiene: In addition to regular brushing and flossing, you can use an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the host of infectious microorganisms in your mouth.
• Clean your dentures regularly: Remove, soak, and brush your dentures daily using a non-abrasive denture cleaning solution and a soft-bristled brush.
• Manage your diabetes: This not only means taking your antidiabetes medications as prescribed but also managing your diet, maintaining your ideal weight, and exercising regularly.
• Reduce your sugar intake: Even if you don't have diabetes, sugar fuels Candida growth. Make a special effort to cut back on sugary drinks, candies, and any sweets that coat your mouth.

Diagnose

Eine Lippenentzündung ruft im Normalfall keine ernstzunehmenden Symptome hervor. Liegt den Beschwerden allerdings eine schwere Erkrankung zugrunde, kann es in deren Verlauf zu weiteren Komplikationen kommen. Typischerweise leiden die Patienten an schuppigen und spröden Lippen. Dadurch ist die Nahrungsaufnahme erschwert und es besteht ein erhöhtes Risiko für Blutungen und Infektionen im Bereich der Lippen und der Mundwinkel. Wenn Erreger in die verletzte Haut eindringen, können unter Umständen Geschwüre entstehen.

Liegt der Entzündung ein Lippenherpes zugrunde, kann es bei fehlender Behandlung zu weiteren Entzündungen im Bereich von Lungen, Gehirn, Herz und Augen kommen. Zudem besteht akute Ansteckungsgefahr. Bleibt die Therapie der Herpeserkrankung aus, nimmt auch die Lippenentzündung zu und führt zu starken Schäden an den Lippen bis hin zur Narbenbildung.