Thrush Treatment
Thrush is a fungal infection that causes symptoms in men, women and babies. The human body normally carries a type of fungus, called candida. When certain conditions arise, however, the candida can over-grow, causing uncomfortable symptoms. If left unchecked, thrush can spread to different areas of the body, and, in some cases, to sexual partners. Thrush can be treated, so it is important to consult with a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms. Click the blue bar to the right to start a consultation with one of our doctors today.
Thrush Symptoms
Depending on the type of thrush present, the symptoms of the condition may vary. A woman with a vaginal candida infection, also called a yeast infection, will often experience burning, itching and redness of the labia and vaginal opening. The itching may be mild or intense. She may also notice a white, clumpy discharge.
A man may acquire thrush from his female partner, particularly if he is uncircumcised. He may also experience a white discharge, as well as itching in and on the penis.
Skin infections caused by yeast usually occur in areas that are moist, such as the nappy area of babies, under the breasts or in skin folds. The symptoms of these infections are redness, itching and irritation.
Oral thrush is common in babies, as well as those with a suppressed immune system. Symptoms include white patches in the mouth that, when rubbed, may bleed. This type of thrush is easily passed from an infant to his or her mother during breastfeeding. A nursing mother may experience cracked, red, very painful nipples. The skin may look shiny, and it may hurt to breastfeed her baby.
Those with serious illnesses, such as leukemia or AIDS may experience a severe form of candida overgrowth, called systemic candidiasis. Symptoms include serious oral or vaginal thrush, along with bruises from damaged blood vessels. This is a potentially fatal illness, and requires immediate medical care.
Causes of Thrush
Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of candida, or yeast. While most of the time, the body's natural defenses ward off overgrowth, sometimes a suppressed immune system or certain conditions allow the candida to proliferate quickly. Warm, moist areas tend to allow yeast growth more than drier areas. For this reason, infections in the genital area and mouth are common. Antibiotic use can kill the bacteria that help keep yeast in check, so some women will develop a vaginal yeast infection during or after a course of antibiotics.
Those with diseases which suppress the immune system, including cancer, autoimmune diseases and diabetes, along with those taking immune-suppressant medications, such as corticosteroids, are more at risk than others of developing thrush. Oral thrush may be caused by using an inhaler for asthma, particularly the type that contains steroids. Rinsing out the mouth after the use of an inhaler can help prevent oral thrush development.
Thrush in Women
The most common type of thrush in women is a vaginal yeast infection. Because its symptoms may mimic the symptoms of other conditions, it is important to consult with a doctor, particularly if this is a woman's first time experiencing such symptoms. In some cases, a discharge coupled with burning and itching may indicate a bacterial vaginal infection, which cannot be treated with a yeast infection remedy.
Breast feeding mothers may also develop nipple thrush. This can spread easily to the breastfed infant. Allowing nipples to air-dry after nursing can ward off this type of thrush. Also, washing nursing bras in hot water and hanging them in the sun or drying at a high temperature in a clothes-dryer can discourage yeast overgrowth.
Woman may also develop skin rashes and lesions from oral thrush.
Thrush in Men
The type of thrush that commonly affect men only is penile thrush. One way to prevent penile thrush is to avoid sexual intercourse with partners who have a vaginal yeast infection. The yeast can spread, particularly if the man is uncircumcised, because the foreskin of the penis provides a fertile breeding ground for the candida fungus.
Men may also develop skin rashes from thrush, as well as oral thrush.
Treatment for Thrush
A doctor can prescribe a prescription medication to treat oral thrush. If an infant has oral thrush and his or her mother is breastfeeding, the doctor can also give the mother a prescription lotion to use on her nipples to prevent or treat the infection.
Vaginal yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter medications that are inserted into the vagina. Another option is to obtain a prescription medication to take orally. Penile infections may be treated the same way. If one partner is diagnosed with genital thrush, it is important for the other partner to consult a doctor to determine if both partners should be treated, even if one shows no symptoms.
Thrush can also be treated with a single dose anti-fungal tablet such as Fluconazole 150mg single-dose available from our doctors.
Fluconazole tablets eliminates thrush from the body and is generally easier to use and less messy than creams or pessaries.
In males, treatment is best by regular treatment with thrush cream. This is best applied onto a clean penis which has been washed and dried. Cream is best applied for 2 weeks twice daily.
If symptoms persist beyond 10 days of starting treatment, then further medical help should be sought by your own doctor.
The side effects of Fluconazole can be as follows:
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea
- flatulence (excessive wind)
