What You Need To Do To Get Rid Of An Oral Yeast Infection

An oral yeast infection isn't a fun infection to have or treat. It can be painful, and it does look terrible. It is otherwise known as thrush, which is an oral yeast infection caused by the same fungus as with a vaginal yeast infection Candida albicans.

Signs and symptoms of thrush look worse than they really are in most cases. Thrush can cause burning or painful irritations, but usually there is no pain. There are symptoms that may be yeast related including cravings for sweets, alcohol, or breads; digestive problems like diarrhea or constipation; depression; fatigue; and muscle or joint pains can also accompany thrush. This gives the doctors an idea of what to look for when trying to identify an underlying cause.

Treatments for oral yeast infection usually includes Nystatin or Fluconazole (Diflucan). These are the best prescription medications to treat thrush. They are both orally taken. Nystatin is a liquid that is applied to the affected areas with a q-tip, or in older children and adults it is swished around in the mouth for 1-2 minutes. Nystatin works by being in contact with the affected areas to kill the bacteria.

Fluconazole costs a bit more and is used if the thrush does not respond to Nystatin. It has been shown in studies to work better on thrush than Nystatin. It is also used in reoccurring and hard to treat cases of thrush. It is a once a day treatment that you take for about 7 days. It kills the yeast and helps the healthy bacteria to increase and fight the yeast infection.

There are many natural remedies that work for oral yeast infection also. The most used seem to be grapefruit seed extract, grape seed oil, homeopathic Candida silicea, gentian, capricin tea, and artemisia which are just a few of the known herbal and natural remedies to treat thrush. Yogurt is often used as well as buttermilk to prevent thrush.

A change in diet is often suggested during and after treatment of thrush. Avoiding sweets, yeasts, starch, white flour, alcohol, and caffeine is often suggested. These items feed the yeast and make the thrush worse. Green leafy vegetables and certain fruits, as well as fish, poultry, and meat are good foods to eat.

Causes of oral yeast infection can vary. It can be diet related, medication related, or related to an underlying disease. When you are anemic or eat a lot of sugar this can add to getting a yeast infection. Medications like antibiotics are a major cause of thrush today. Hypothyroidism, diabetes, and other diseases can also be a causative factor. People with suppressed immune systems are highly susceptible to thrush. A doctor should be contacted if the thrush does not go away, or keeps coming back.

Next, find out more about thrush and get tried and true methods for treating oral yeast infection.