ABC of palliative care: Mouth care, skin care, and lymphoedema
BMJ 1997; 315 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.315.7114.1002 (Published 18 October 1997) Cite this as: BMJ 1997;315:1002- Claud Regnard,
- Sarah Allport,
- Lydia Stephenson
Mouth care
Patients' oral problems can be kept to a minimum by good hydration, brushing the teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice daily, and daily observation of the oral mucosa. Oral problems can reduce intake of fluid and food because of pain, altered taste, or disorders of swallowing. The first step is to manage the local problems.
Risk factors for oral problems
Debility
Dry mouth
Chemotherapy
Poor oral intake
Local irradiation
Dehydration
Infection
Key questions for mouth care
Is infection present?
Is the mouth dry?
Is the mouth dirty?
Is the mouth painful?
Candidiasis usually presents as adherent white plaques but can also present as erythema or angular cheilitis. Nystatin suspension is the usual treatment, but in advanced disease ketoconazole 200 mg once daily for 5 days is cost effective and more convenient for patients (hepatic toxicity has not been reported for 5 day courses). Fluconazole 150 mg as a single dose is equally effective but is more expensive. Recurrent candidiasis in patients with AIDS requires prophylactic treatment with fluconazole 50 mg daily.
Oral hygiene is important, especially daily cleaning of dentures. Aphthous ulcers are common and can be helped by topical corticosteroids or tetracycline mouthwash. Severe viral infection (herpes simplex or zoster) will need aciclovir 200 mg every 4 hours for 5 days. Malignant ulcers are often associated with anaerobic bacteria that produce a foul odour; this responds to metronidazole, either as 400–500 mg taken orally or rectally every 12 hours or as a topically applied gel.
Dirty mouth
Local measures for oral problems
Infected mouth
Topical corticosteroids—Betamethasone 0.5 mg in 5 ml water as mouthwash or triamcinolone in carmellose paste
Tetracycline mouthwash, 250 mg every 8 hours (contents of one capsule dissolved in 5 ml water)
Dirty mouth
Regular brushing with soft toothbrush and toothpaste
Pineapple chunks
Cider and soda mouthwash
Dry mouth
Semifrozen tonic water and gin
Semifrozen fruit juice
Frequent sips of cold water or water sprays
Petroleum jelly rubbed …
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