If you have discovered that you have oral thrush, also called thrush, you need to intervene immediately. This infection is triggered in the oral cavity and around the mucous membranes of the mouth due to an uncontrolled growth of a yeast belonging to the Candida family. Candida yeasts are part of the normal bacterial flora that lives in our body and on the skin, for example in the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract; however, when its population is in excess, candidiasis develops. Thrush is very common among children, people on cortisone or antibiotic therapy, and in individuals with compromised immune systems. In most cases, the infection is not serious and clears up easily, although more incisive medical intervention is sometimes required.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Treating Oral Candidiasis with Drugs
Step 1. Get a formal diagnosis from your doctor
Dentists and primary care physicians are generally able to recognize thrush by simply looking at lesions in the oral cavity. In some cases, however, a tampon is required.
If the home remedies don't work within two days or you are unsure whether it is oral thrush, see your doctor
Step 2. Try nystatin mouthwashes
This active ingredient is helpful in getting rid of yeast infections by reducing their population. Rinse with the medicine for several minutes, three to five times a day, and then swallow it to cleanse your throat and esophagus as well.
- Make sure you swallow the medication when you finish rinsing. Otherwise, you risk developing esophagitis, an infection of the esophagus.
- Nystatin suspension with a concentration of 100,000 U / ml should be taken daily for 4-6 times a day.
Step 3. Try miconazole gel
It is a drug that is also available without a prescription and is effective against thrush; one of the trade names under which it is sold is Daktarin oral gel. People with liver problems, pregnant or breastfeeding women and infants under six months of age should take additional precautions before starting miconazole treatment.
Apply small amounts of the gel (pea-sized) directly to the lesions. If you don't know how to proceed, read the instructions on the package
Step 4. Try prescription candy
Nystatin and Clotrimazole are also sold in the form of tablets to be dissolved in the mouth. Suck one of these "candies" by moving it gently in your mouth, so that it comes into contact with all surfaces of the oral cavity. Remember to swallow periodically to treat throat injuries as well.
- Whether the drug is in tablet or mouthwash form, continue to use it for 48 hours after the symptoms subside.
- Nystatin tablets are typically 200,000 U each and should be taken 4 times a day for 1-2 weeks.
Step 5. Take prescription pills
If the tablets to dissolve in the mouth and the mouthwashes have not led to positive results or the infection has spread beyond the oral cavity, then you will need to take pills to eradicate it. Typically, the doctor prescribes fluconazole therapy by mouth or echinocandins. The choice depends on the Candida strain and the patient's health condition (severity of the infection, presence of other diseases, allergies and other factors).
- Among the drugs against thrush we also remember clotrimazole and fluconazole, both of which must be taken by mouth.
- Fluconazole is usually prescribed in 400 mg pills; it is necessary to take two on the first day and then continue the treatment with a daily dose. This way the thrush should disappear within two days; however, it is important to continue the treatment for two weeks.
- Among the medicines with echinocandins, caspofungin is generally prescribed in doses of 70 mg on the first day and then down to 50 mg / day; alternatively, anidulafungin is chosen with a dose of 200 mg on the first day and then 100 mg / day.
Step 6. Treat thrush if your child gets the infection
If this disease develops in a newborn who is breastfed, then the mother may have Candida infection around the nipples which are red, itchy and cracked. If so, breastfeeding could also cause pain. To treat this mycosis you can try one of these two methods:
Cream with nystatin. The doctor or gynecologist may prescribe this product to the mother who has to smear it two or three times a day
Step 7. Replace anything that came into contact with your mouth while you were sick
It is vital that you sanitize or replace any items you put in your mouth during candidiasis to avoid recurrence. Change the toothbrush (or just the brush head, if it's an electric model). If you're wearing dentures, soak them overnight in a cleaning solution.
If the patient is a newborn, boil all the pacifiers and bottle teats he used during the infection. Wash all dishes in very hot water (over 50 ° C) and do not share cutlery and plates with other family members
Method 2 of 2: Treating Oral Candidiasis at Home
Step 1. Ask your doctor before trying any home remedies for oral thrush
Keep in mind that candidiasis can get worse and become a serious problem if not treated properly. therefore it is good to consult your doctor before venturing into the use of such remedies. Also keep in mind that home remedies should never replace medical therapy. Use them as an aid to drug treatment. You should be especially careful if your immune system is compromised by diseases such as HIV or cancer.
Step 2. Take probiotics
Taking these healthy bacteria helps you get rid of thrush, as they limit the excessive fungal population by restoring normal balance on the mucous membranes. Look for supplements that contain at least five billion colony forming units (CFUs) for each dose and take them three times a day.
If the patient is a child or a newborn, you can open a capsule and sprinkle the contents into the food or make a paste by grinding the tablets to spread inside the baby's mouth
Step 3. Eat yogurt
You can also get the probiotics you need from fermented foods just like yogurt, albeit in much smaller quantities and less effective too.
- Choose sugar-free yogurt, as sugars promote the proliferation of Candida.
- Eat yogurt once or twice a day; consume it slowly and leave each spoonful in the mouth near the lesions for at least 30 seconds before swallowing.
- There is conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of probiotics contained in yogurts, but in general this remedy has few negative effects.
Step 4. Use a homemade mouthwash
There are several ways to get rid of thrush. However, the instructions for use are always the same: move the liquid in your mouth two or four times a day and then spit it out. Here is a list of mouthwashes to try.
- Saline solution: prepare it with a pinch of salt dissolved in 240 ml of water.
- Apple cider vinegar: dilute 15ml with 240ml of water.
- Tea tree oil: drop just a few drops into 240ml of water. Remember that this oil is toxic by ingestion and should only be used as a mouthwash.
Step 5. Give Gentian violet a try
An old remedy for thrush is this dye. No prescription is needed to buy it. Just lightly moisten a cotton swab with this liquid and then dab it on the areas affected by the infection. Only one application should be sufficient; remember it's a dye, so don't drop it on your clothes or other items you don't want to stain. Wear gloves when applying it and avoid putting it on your lips, otherwise they will stay purple for some time.
- Use this remedy under your doctor's advice, as it may cause mouth ulcers and in a recent study it was related to oropharyngeal cancer.
- Gentian violet should not be ingested, as it is toxic when absorbed systemically.
Step 6. Get vitamins and minerals
Vitamin C, like other nutrients, plays a beneficial role because it strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation. Here are some dosage tips.
- Vitamin C: 500 to 1000 mg per day;
- Vitamin E: 200 to 400 IU per day;
- Selenium: 200 mcg per day.
Step 7. Make sure you have the correct daily intake of essential fatty acids
These help the body to control inflammatory processes and allow to reduce animal fats from the diet. For example, omega-6, which is sold under the trade name of oenothera supplement, can be taken along with omega-3s (fish oil). The dosage is 15ml of oil per day or 1000-1500mg twice per day.
You can also take caprylic acid. This supplement can be taken together with meals with a dosage of 1 g. It is a fatty acid that has some antifungal properties
Step 8. Try propolis
This natural substance is obtained from pine resin. It is created by bees and laboratory tests have shown that it has antifungal properties. However, remember that if you have asthma or are allergic to honey, you should consult your doctor before considering this solution.
Step 9. Try herbal treatments
It is worth discussing herbal supplements (and their possible drug interactions) with your doctor before starting any therapy. Although herbs may prove beneficial to health, they can also lead to adverse effects or alter the effectiveness of medicines. The supplements that have been shown to be effective against thrush are the following.
- Garlic: its antifungal properties have long been recognized. Generally, one clove per day is recommended (equivalent to 4000-5000 mcg of allicin). However, remember that garlic interacts with drugs increasing the risk of bleeding, and it is also known to react with anticoagulants such as warfarin, clopidogrel or aspirin. The effectiveness of HIV medicines can be altered by garlic.
- Echinacea: its juice has been shown to be useful for strengthening the body against frequent vaginal yeast infections. By taking a variable amount between 2 and 4 ml you can prevent these disorders. Remember that echinacea also interacts with medications, which is why you should always speak to your doctor to understand potential complications before starting treatment.
- Tea tree oil: several studies have shown that it has antifungal properties and when used as a mouthwash it helps to eradicate thrush. Tea tree oil is toxic by ingestion, so only use it as a mouth rinse after talking to your doctor.
- Pomegranate: Although it may seem strange, in a study conducted on stomatitis related to the use of dentures, this fruit was shown to be as useful against thrush as miconazole.
Advice
Do not share any objects with other people that may have come into contact with your mouth or surrounding areas
Warnings
- If you are on medication and the infection does not improve, see your doctor right away.
- If you've tried a home remedy for a couple of days to no avail, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
