What’s causing my mouth to itch?
The most common cause of itchy lips is a yeast infection or candida overgrowth. Candida albicans is a type of fungus that causes many types of infections in the body. These include acne, asthma, bronchitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), eczema, food allergies and other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Itching of the lips is one of the symptoms of a yeast infection. If left untreated, it may lead to scarring and even cancer. There are several ways to treat it:
Antibiotics – Antibiotic treatment is usually effective in treating yeast infections. However, they can sometimes worsen existing skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema. They can also make the condition worse if used long term due to their effect on blood sugar levels.
Antifungal medications – Fungicides such as ketoconazole and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are commonly prescribed to kill off fungi. They work well in some cases but not all. A newer class of antifungals called benzoyl peroxide derivatives have been developed which are less likely to damage healthy cells. These drugs are available only through prescription and must be taken daily for at least three months before any benefit is seen.
Antifungal tablets – Antifungal tablets such as nystatin and fluconazole are effective in treating thrush, a common fungal infection of the mouth which is caused by a similar type of fungus to candida albicans. These must be taken regularly for several weeks or months to be effective.
Non-drug measures – Eating a healthy diet can control yeast infections naturally. The best forms of prevention are cutting out refined sugars, limiting intake of starchy carbohydrates and avoiding tight synthetic clothing such as leotards and tights.
There are several other common causes of the condition. The most common is a reaction to an ingredient in toothpaste or mouthwash. Other causes may be from certain foods or medication.
An allergy is a condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to substances that would otherwise be harmless or not cause any reaction.
There are two types of allergy: immediate and delayed. An allergic reaction is immediate if symptoms start less than four hours after contact with the allergen. Delayed reactions start between four and twelve hours after contact.
How to get rid of itchy lips remedy
Toothpaste can cause an itchy mouth. One possible cause of this problem is fluoride, found in many toothpastes. The other cause could be the salt present in most toothpastes. Salts when they get in contact with the mouth mucosa cause itchiness.
Rinsing your mouth with water after using the toothpaste can help to stop the effect of salt and fluoride on the mouth.
Most candies, ice creams and chocolates, especially those containing nuts or other food items to which you might be allergic, can also cause itchy mouth. Avoiding these foods can help prevent this problem.
A fungal infection in the mouth may lead to an itchy tongue and mouth. There are topical medicines available which can be applied on the inside of the cheek. These should be used exactly as directed.
One should avoid eating raw vegetables, fruits or salad as these can act as a breeding ground for bacteria.
Insect bites or stings can also cause an itchy mouth. If you have been in contact with any such insect, consult your doctor immediately.
Remedies to get rid of itchy mouth fast
The presence of sores in the mouth makes it very uncomfortable and itchy. One should consult a doctor if one has these symptoms for proper medication. There are many home remedies that can also be used such as:
Wash your hands properly before eating.
Use a soft tooth brush to clean your teeth regularly.
Avoid tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks as these might irritate the mouth.
Wash your mouth with a good mouth wash.
Apply a good quality lip balm to moisturize the lips.
Taking multivitamins every day can help improve the condition of your mouth skin.
Itching in the mouth can be caused due to many reasons like food items, allergic reaction to certain medicines and several others. The above remedies can certainly help you get rid of the problem.
In the case of a fungal infection, you may need an antifungal cream or tablets from your doctor as well as changing your diet and lifestyle.
Sources & references used in this article:
Fungal skin infections by J Stevens – Continuum of Care.(assessed date-25.7. 2013), 2013 – coc.unm.edu
Successful treatment of cat-scratch disease with ciprofloxacin by HP Holley – JAMA, 1991 – jamanetwork.com
Yeast infections and the breastfeeding family: helping mothers find relief for symptoms and treatment for the infection preserves the breastfeeding relationship by K Zeretzke – Leaven, 1998 – Citeseer
Clinical care of vulvar pruritus, with emphasis on one common cause, lichen simplex chronicus by KMA Stewart – Dermatologic clinics, 2010 – derm.theclinics.com
The yeast connection: a medical breakthrough by WG Crook – 2010 – books.google.com
Skin disease e-book: diagnosis and treatment by TP Habif, MS Chapman, JGH Dinulos, KA Zug – 2017 – books.google.com
