Thrush: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Thrush

Thrush, or candidiasis, is a common yeast infection that can affect the mouth and genital area. It is caused by Candida albicans. Find out more about this common condition.

Recommended Actions

For oral thrush treatment, consider antifungal medication in tablet, cream, or ointment form, along with using medicated mouthwash. Balancing the body's natural bacteria and pH can also be beneficial.

Recommended Avoidances

Factors to avoid to prevent recurring thrush include excessive use of antibiotics, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) unless prescribed by a doctor, and perfumed soaps or vaginal deodorants.

Prevention Tips

To prevent recurring thrush, ensure regular diaper changes for infants, prioritize good oral hygiene, and opt for cotton underwear while avoiding tight-fitting clothes.

Condition 101

Thrush, medically known as candidiasis, is a common condition caused by the Candida yeast, predominantly Candida albicans. This yeast naturally inhabits our bodies but may sometimes proliferate, leading to infections. While thrush can affect various parts of the body, it commonly appears in the mouth (oral thrush) and genital area.

Oral Thrush: White, creamy patches in the mouth and throat, redness or discomfort in the mouth, cracking at corners of the mouth, loss of taste, and difficulty swallowing.
Genital Thrush: White vaginal discharge (often like cottage cheese), itching and irritation around the genital area, discomfort during sexual intercourse, and burning sensation while urinating.
Antibiotic use.
Weakened immune system.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Conditions like diabetes that affect body's pH balance.
Weakened immune system.
Use of antibiotics.
Diabetes.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Symptoms persist beyond a week.
The condition is recurrent.
You're pregnant or breastfeeding.
You have weakened immunity due to conditions like HIV or cancer.

Physical Examination: This may involve examination of the mouth or genital area for typical signs of thrush.
Throat Culture: In severe cases, a sample of cells might be collected from the throat or vagina and sent for culture.
Endoscopic Examination: For esophageal thrush, an endoscope—a long, flexible tube—may be used to examine the throat, esophagus, and stomach.
Loss of taste.
Difficulty swallowing.
Spread of infection to other body parts.
Thrush is often misunderstood. It's not a sexually transmitted infection, though it can occasionally be passed on through sex.
Bacterial vaginosis.
Contact dermatitis.
Atrophic glossitis.

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Treatment Options

Need more information about Thrush, contact us for more help on treatment or advise.

Clotrimazole cream.
Fluconazole oral tablet.
Nystatin suspension.

Your doctor might prescribe stronger antifungal medicines like Itraconazole or Amphotericin B in severe cases.

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