Treatment of thrush with chlorhexidine: suppositories, tampons, spritzing

Thrush is a disease of bacterial origin. Its causative agent is a microscopic yeast-like fungus of the genus Candida. Intensively multiplying, it occupies free niches in the normal microbiocenosis and causes the corresponding symptoms. To eliminate the symptoms, various antifungal, antiparasitic agents are used. For example, one of the effective antiseptic agents for thrush is chlorhexidine.

Is it possible to use chlorhexidine for thrush?

Recently, we have been hearing the question more and more often: "Can chlorhexidine be used for thrush?" As many gynecologists say, chlorhexidine is not only possible, it should be used for thrush. This is due to the fact that chlorhexidine acts as an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiparasitic agent. Thrush is caused by the intensive reproduction of fungal microflora (development of Candida fungus). Chlorhexidine, depending on the dosage, completely kills or simply partially inhibits the growth and reproduction of fungal microflora, relieves inflammation, and eliminates symptoms.

Indications chlorhexidine bigluconate

A direct indication for the use of chlorhexidine is thrush and any symptoms associated with this disease: itching, burning, irritation, redness in the vagina and rectum. It can also be increased discharge, ulcers, erosions, fistulas, damage to the integrity of the mucous membranes, and various redness. It is used to treat thrush of the urogenital tract, rectum, perianal opening, intestines, oral cavity, reproductive organs, and urinary tract. It is used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. It is often prescribed for treating skin and hair in the presence of skin mites (Demodex), pediculosis, and various inflammatory, infectious, and parasitic diseases. It is prescribed as an additional treatment for various forms of lichen and psoriasis. The drug is prescribed to children (used in neonatology for treating the child's skin to prevent the development of fungal and hospital infections), in pediatrics for various parasitic, infectious, fungal diseases, and for prevention. It is used in gerontology and palliative medicine for treating and disinfecting the skin of the elderly. Chlorhexidine can be used to treat senile warts and various skin lesions. It is also used to prevent and treat bedsores. Sometimes it is used in cosmetology, surgery, and even veterinary medicine.

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Chlorhexidine for oral thrush

Thrush can also appear in the mouth. Chlorhexidine can be used in this case, but it must be diluted with water (preferably distilled), less often - with herbal decoctions. The ratio is approximately 1:10 or 1:20. It is used for rinsing the mouth and lubricating the throat and oral cavity. Depending on the dosage, it can have both a fungicidal and fungistatic effect. In the first case, the fungal infection is completely destroyed. In the second case, the activity and growth rate of the fungus simply decreases.

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Chlorhexidine for nail fungus

To treat a nail from a fungus, it is necessary to soak cotton wool or a bandage in a chlorhexidine solution, apply it to the damaged nail for about 10-15 minutes. In some cases, you can put a bandage on top, or bandage the cotton wool with an adhesive plaster. But as soon as 10-15 minutes have passed, you need to remove the compress. Chlorhexidine for nail fungus is used as a solution in water (or distillate). The product is intended for external use. It is necessary to strictly observe the dosage and concentration of the drug, since exceeding the dose can result in an overdose, complications, chemical burns, irritation and damage to the skin.

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Use in men

Quite an effective remedy used for external lubrication or washing. Chlorhexidine for thrush in men is used strictly as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision. It is necessary to visit a urologist and consult. The doctor will say whether there is a need to use this remedy, in what way, in what concentration. Chlorhexidine not only effectively eliminates fungal infection, but also restores the microflora (normal), which prevents relapses and makes the persistence and chronicity of the infection impossible.

Use in women

For thrush in women, chlorhexidine is often prescribed as the main antiseptic. Usually, the treatment is long-term, a full course of treatment is carried out. In this case, the frequency and duration of therapy is determined by the doctor. The main criteria for choosing one or another treatment option is the effectiveness of the therapy. The doctor looks at how effective the treatment is (carries out dynamic monitoring). If there is no effect within 2-3 days, complex treatment is prescribed as part of antibacterial, antifungal therapy or probiotics, or immunomodulators.

Release form

It is produced as a solution of the main active substance (chlorhexidine). This is a concentrated substance that requires dilution with some inorganic solvent before use. It can be diluted with clean boiled water or distilled water. Solutions of various concentrations can be made, but most often a solution in a ratio of 1:10 or 1:20 is used, where chlorhexidine is only 1 part. The release form is a liquid packaged in dark glass bottles. It is also produced in the form of suppositories for vaginal or rectal administration.

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Chlorhexidine solution

It can be used as a home remedy. It is also used as one of the main disinfectants in a medical institution. It is used to treat skin, mucous membranes, hands, gloves, and medical instruments. The drug can be used for douching and external use, washing. It is also used to rinse the mouth and throat for fungal and bacterial infections. Chlorhexidine solution is often used for cauterization in undiluted form (applied to a cotton swab, applied pointwise). It is also used on a cotton swab (you can wind cotton wool around your index finger, dip it in the liquid and lubricate). It is used for medicinal baths.

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Suppositories

Suppositories (candles) with chlorhexidine as the main active ingredient are also produced in the pharmaceutical industry and are often used in gynecology to treat thrush, as well as other inflammatory and infectious processes. They have an antiseptic, antimicrobial effect on the body, relieve inflammation. Vaginal or rectal suppositories are used. Vaginal suppositories are inserted deep into the vagina, in a supine position, with relaxed and half-bent knees (as during a gynecological examination). Rectal suppositories are inserted into the rectum in a squatting position. It is recommended to insert at night, since suppositories can melt and leak. It is better to use sanitary pads during the day. One suppository per day is prescribed, the course of treatment is 7-10 days.

Pharmacodynamics

According to its pharmacological properties, the solution is a product with antiseptic and disinfectant properties. It has a pronounced antibacterial effect. It has an effect on fungal infections. In general, it can be said that this is a product for local action, etiological treatment, that is, it directly affects the cause of thrush. This explains the high efficiency of chlorhexidine, since by eliminating the cause of the pathology, the disease passes much faster. Chlorhexidine is not always used as an independent product, it is often included in other pharmaceuticals, and is part of complex treatment.

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Pharmacokinetics

When studying the pharmacodynamics, it was found that the drug is absorbed through the mucous membranes and skin. It has mainly a local effect, no systemic effect on the bloodstream has been established. The drug does not penetrate into the blood, so there are no cases of overdose.

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Dosing and administration

Suppositories are inserted at night before bedtime, rectally or transvaginally, as deeply as possible. 1 suppository per day. The total course is designed for 5-7 days. As for the solution: it is not used in its pure form. First, its aqueous solution is made (1:10 with water or distillate). Then the drug is applied in a thin layer to the affected area, approximately 2-3 times a day. The duration of treatment is 1-10 days. It is not recommended to treat longer. The exact scheme, method of application and dosage are determined by the doctor. The drug is also used for gargling, the number of gargles is up to 10 times a day. For washing, it is recommended to use 1-2 times a day. It is used for douching - for 15-20 minutes.

How to do chlorhexidine douching correctly?

If you do not know how to douche with chlorhexidine correctly, it is better to consult a doctor, since treatment is often strictly individual in each case. The doctor will conduct an examination, and an analysis may be required. Then, depending on the results obtained, the appropriate treatment will be selected. In any case, when douching, you should strictly follow the precautions and rules for using the drug, similar to many antiseptics. Usually, chlorhexidine is used diluted and slightly warmed. The solution should flow evenly and slowly into the vagina during douching, and should not be under pressure. For this, special vaginal syringes and tips are used, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. Douching should be long - from 15 to 30 minutes, without a break. Treatment should be no more than 5-7 days, since longer treatment may cause vaginal dysbacteriosis, and then a secondary infection (bacterial, fungal).

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How to dilute chlorhexidine for washing?

Depending on the severity of the inflammatory process, the degree of bacterial or fungal contamination, the state of the immune system (test results will show), the doctor will prescribe a full treatment regimen and will prescribe how best to dilute chlorhexidine for washing. The following dilutions are traditionally used: 1:10; 1:20; 1:50; 1:100. But if necessary, the doctor can prescribe other options.

Chlorhexidine rinse for thrush

Washing is essentially douching. To perform the procedure of washing with chlorhexidine for thrush, a syringe is used, a solution is prepared. The dosage and concentration should be selected by a doctor. We prepare a warm solution, insert the tip into the vagina, and wash. The duration of the procedure is at least 15-20 minutes in a row. It is important to monitor the sensations. There should be no pain. If even minimal pain occurs, you need to stop the procedure. After stopping the procedure, you should insert a cotton swab into the vagina, soaked in the same solution that was used for douching (of course, not used), for about 20 minutes. At the end of the procedure, all equipment must be sterilized. If you cannot get a special mini-sterilizer, you can simply boil it for 5-10 minutes.

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Tampons with chlorhexidine for thrush

Sometimes, tampons with chlorhexidine are prescribed for thrush. There are no special tampons that are already soaked in the drug and ready for use. Therefore, you will have to prepare them yourself. So, the most convenient way is to buy hygienic tampons for critical days of any shape at the pharmacy, soak them in a chlorhexidine solution, and insert them into the vagina. At the same time, there are special tampons with an applicator, which significantly facilitates insertion.

A less convenient way is to make tampons yourself, using cotton wool and bandage. But you need to understand that this method is not safe, since pieces of fabric and cotton wool may remain after the procedure, which will only intensify the inflammatory process and increase suppuration. You should also take into account that chlorhexidine should never be used in pure, undiluted form. This is a concentrated product that can cause a strong inflammatory process, and even a chemical burn with further exfoliation of the mucous membrane. In what concentration to dilute the drug - you need to ask your doctor, since without a gynecological examination it is impossible to choose the correct, optimal concentration.

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Chlorhexidine for thrush in children

The main cause of thrush, both in children and adults, is the development of a fungal infection (Candida fungus). Thrush in children often develops against the background of dysbacteriosis, reduced immunity. Characteristic signs of thrush are itching, burning, white, cheesy discharge. Chlorhexidine (aqueous solution) will help relieve symptoms and eliminate the inflammatory process. Most often, a solution is made in a ratio of 1:10 or 1:20.

It is worth noting that chlorhexidine is used even when treating a newborn, especially if he or she is under hospital supervision for a long time. In this case, the risk of developing a hospital-acquired infection, hospital strains, increases sharply. This is due, first of all, to the fact that the child's immunity has not yet been formed. In children under three years of age, the mother's immunity is completely preserved. Chlorhexidine has an antibacterial effect. When organizing the treatment of a newborn, all procedures for treating the skin and mucous membranes are carried out exclusively under the supervision of a doctor, in a medical institution, subject to the treatment regimen. Self-medication can only do harm.

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Use chlorhexidine bigluconate during pregnancy

There are no contraindications regarding the ban on the use of chlorhexidine for thrush during pregnancy in the instructions. The drug does not penetrate the transplacental barrier, that is, even if the drug gets into the blood, it does not penetrate either the fetus or the uterus. There is information that chlorhexidine is not able to penetrate even the transdermal barrier, that is, it has an effect only at the local level, on the mucous membranes and skin, without getting into the systemic bloodstream. However, there is no clear answer among specialists regarding how safe it is to use chlorhexidine in the treatment of thrush during pregnancy.

Contraindications

The drug is not recommended for use in case of individual intolerance, hypersensitivity to the drug, or a tendency to allergic reactions (especially if these are immediate reactions). It is not recommended for itching, skin irritation, redness, open lesions, skin cracks, or microtraumas. It is not recommended for acute inflammatory processes and some gynecological diseases (urethritis, vulvitis, vulvovaginitis), erosions, and burns of the mucous membranes, or in the first 2 months after childbirth. It is also prohibited to take the drug orally. In addition, it should be taken into account that the drug is not used in its pure form; it must be diluted. Otherwise, a chemical burn or irritation will occur.

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Side effects chlorhexidine bigluconate

Chlorhexidine is an effective and safe remedy. But side effects are sometimes observed in it. Most often they are observed in case of increased sensitivity, sensitization of the body, against the background of individual intolerance and a tendency to allergic reactions.

Side effects are mainly local, manifested in the form of redness, swelling, itching. Sometimes, with prolonged use, or with a large amount of the drug taken, an increase in local body temperature is noted, pain and discomfort increase.

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Overdose

Overdose cases are rare. These are mainly local effects: they may be accompanied by a chemical burn, redness, irritation, burning. There is no systemic effect, since the drug does not penetrate inside, into the systemic bloodstream.

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Interactions with other drugs

There are no cases of interaction with other drugs. Chlorhexidine does not enter into any reactions.

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Storage conditions

Chlorhexidine should be stored in the original packaging at a temperature no higher than 15 degrees. It is recommended to store it in a refrigerator, as well as away from heat sources (open fire, heater, battery). Before use, hold it at room temperature for about 15 minutes so that the product warms up beforehand and does not cause spasm of small vessels.

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Shelf life

The shelf life of chlorhexidine depends on whether the package has been opened or not. If the drug has already been used, it can be stored for no more than 30 days. The diluted aqueous solution is stored for no more than a day. Packaged drugs are stored for 2-3 years.

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Analogues

The closest analogue of chlorhexidine is a solution of miramistin. This drug can similarly have both a fungicidal and fungistatic effect. The difference is that miramistin is also available as a spray, which can be used to irrigate damaged areas and mucous membranes. The indications for use are the same as for chlorhexidine.

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Reviews

It is worth noting that reviews of the product are mostly positive. Chlorhexidine for thrush allows you to quickly get rid of the manifestations of thrush, relieves the main symptoms, eliminates pain, inflammation, and prevents the risk of relapse. The full course of treatment is at least 7-14 days.