What You Must Know About Thrush And Its Treatment

Oral thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis) is a superficial mouth yeast infection that can include tongue, inner cheek (buccal mucosa), inner region of the lip, and sometimes gums (gingiva). Although it is most often seen in young children, thrush may affect infants and, to a lesser extent, older children and sometimes adults. Diagnosed oral thrush in older children, teens, and any adult should always contribute to a quest for an underlying medical condition.

Oral thrush is a mouth infection of yeast that can affect infants, kids, and adults. Though, it can be mild and go away on its own, only requiring you to keep your mouth clean while using symptom relief remedies. Some people can benefit from drinking yogurt or drinks inactive culture, or using items like probiotic pills.

Symptoms are similar to uncomplicated acute thrush (see box, below), with the most common complaints being vulval scratching and burning. Patients may also notice an increase or improvement in discharge, penetration pain, and vagina soreness during sex (superficial dyspareunia) or burning during micturition as urine affects the vulva (external dysuria) as well. Symptoms may begin or get worse mid-cycle, with some menstrual relief.

Over - the-counter probiotic pills and active-culture beverages with acidophilus and lactobacilli can help restore mouth-and digestive tract healthy bacteria. These may be necessary after the use of antibiotics for other purposes in mild thrush cases. As a bonus, it laso helps in restoring the bacteria in your intestinal tract that is often prescribed following treatment with antibiotics.

Hot food and beverages can provide relief when you have thrush sensations of burning and scratching. Popsicles, ice cream, frozen soups, smoothies, and crushed-ice drinks will help ease this pain temporarily. These are some of the natural treatment for thrush. 

Rinses of warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water) can also be used for relief. When they're done, be sure kids spit the rinse out.

A small study in 2009 found lemon juice to be a more effective oral thrush remedy than gentian violet among HIV-positive people. Since the sample is small, it needs further work.

Curcumin may be treating oral thrush according to a 2010 report on mice. The study found that curcumin was an antifungal against Candida species of both Albicans and non-albicans, especially when combined with piperine. Piperine is a compound contained in black pepper that helps the body absorb turmeric. Further work on human subjects is required.

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