How to Treat Thrush

Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida Albicans and can cause a lot of discomfort. As well as seeking help from your doctor and treating yourself with over the counter medicines, there are many things you can do to help yourself at home, as long as you know how to treat thrush.

Oral thrush looks like a creamy white patch on the sides of the mouth or throat. It may also cause red spots on the tongue and throat. Thrush can occur in places other than the mouth, such as the vagina and colon, and cause itching and discomfort. The medical term for the condition is 'candidiasis'.

If this is the first time you have gotten this condition, or if you get this condition frequently, you should consult a doctor as it may be a sign of a more serious medical problem.

Oral thrush is an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth and throat. This usually appears in the mouth of infants and those with compromised immune systems.

When a newborn infant has thrush in the mouth, the mother often has a vaginal yeast infection.

Taking a course of antibiotics may also lead to this condition because the antibiotics kill off the healthy bacteria that normally keep the yeast in check.

Diabetics may get frequent bouts of thrush if they have consistently higher than normal blood sugar levels.

Thrush may be a sign of a wider overgrowth of candida so following a restricted diet as above for at least one month may be advisable.

Consider using acidophilus supplements to support friendly bacteria in the gut.

Oral Thrush

Place 1 tablespoon Cider Vinegar in 1/2 cup of warm water, then use this mixture to rinse your mouth four times per day.

Reduce the amount of sweets and carbohydrates in your diet, because they help the candida to reproduce.

Eating garlic or taking garlic pills may help.

Certain herbs prevent candida growth.

Taking acidophilus pills or eating yogurt that contains the live acidophilus culture may help. In a quality supplement the pills are shielded against stomach acid and contain at least 5 billion bacteria per day (preferably in four different bacteria strains).

Vaginal thrush

Take a hot bath.

Menstruation changes the pH of the vagina, making it hard for the infection to survive.

Avoid using spermicidal creams, lubricants and latex condoms.

Treat both yourself and any sexual partner you may have to avoid reinfection.

General advice

Keep the affected area clean by washing with plain water. Avoid using scented or antibacterial soap, shower and bath gels and deodorants.

Wear natural fibers and keep affected areas as cool, clean and dry as possible.

Drink cranberry juice.

Avoid stressful situations as stress is often a trigger for thrush.

Treat persistent thrush with external application of melaleuca (tea tree) oil.

Remove, treat or avoid possible causes of thrush (where sensible): oral contraceptives, broad spectrum antibiotics, iron deficiency; anaemia, diabetes, steroid therapy, high sugar diet, alcohol.

Apply aloe vera gel or natural yogurt to the affected area.

Avoid dairy foods, food and drink containing yeast, dried fruit, mushrooms, monosodium glutamate, pickles and smoked meat and fish. These have all been shown to be possible triggers for thrush.

We recommend Yeast Infection No More as your guide to getting rid of thrush naturally. Linda Allen also offers free consultations when you are following her program. It's always good to have a coach who knows what they're talking about!