Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida Albicans and while it is not a serious condition, it 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.
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
1.
Place 1 tablespoon Cider Vinegar in 1/2 cup of warm
water, then use this mixture to rinse your mouth four times per day.
2.
Reduce the amount of sweets and carbohydrates in your
diet, because they help the candida to reproduce.
3.
Eating
garlic or taking
garlic pills may help.
4.
Research for herbs that prevent candida growth (preferably from non-commercial objective information sources).
5.
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, contain at least 5 billion bacteria per day (preferably in four different bacteria strains).
6.
break open two acidophilus capsules and mix with one tablespoon of orange juice.
Vaginal thrush
1.
Take a hot bath.
2.
Menstruate! Menstruation changes the pH of the vagina, making it hard for the infection to survive.
3.
Avoid using spermicidal creams, lubricants and latex condoms if suffering from vaginal thrush.
4.
Treat both yourself and any sexual partner you may have to avoid reinfection.
General advice
1.
Keep the affected area clean by washing with plain
water. Avoid using soaps, shower and bath gels and deodorants.
2.
Wear natural fibres and keep affected areas as cool, clean and dry as possible.
3.
Drink Cranberry juice.
4.
Avoid stressful situations as stress is often a trigger for thrush.
5.
Treat persistent thrush with external application of Melaleuca Oil.
6.
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.
7.
Apply Aloe Vera gel or natural yogurt to the affected area.
8.
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.