How To Get Rid Of Thrush In South Africa

Overview

Thrush is a common yeast infection that affects men and women. It’s usually harmless but it can be uncomfortable and keep coming back. It is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Check if you have thrush

Thrush symptoms in women

white vaginal discharge (often like cottage cheese), which does not usually smell
itching and irritation around the vagina
soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee

Thrush symptoms in men

irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
a white discharge (like cottage cheese)
an unpleasant smell
difficulty pulling back the foreskin

Thrush in other areas

Thrush can affect other areas of skin, such as the armpits, groin and between the fingers.

This usually causes a red, itchy or painful rash that scales over with white or yellow discharge. The rash may not be so obvious on darker skin.

Sometimes thrush causes no symptoms at all.

How To Get Rid Of Thrush In South Africa

It’s important to treat oral thrush as soon as possible to contain the infection. Doctors often prescribe antifungal medications in the form of mouthwashes, pills, or lozenges.

Mild cases of oral thrush may go away on their own.

The following home remedies, used in addition to antifungal medications, may help relieve symptoms of the infection.

1. Salt water

Salt has antiseptic, cleansing, and soothing properties. This makes it a common home remedy for many oral problems.

Rinsing your mouth with salt water could help relieve symptoms of oral thrush.

To use:

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water.
Swish the solution throughout your mouth.
Spit out the salt solution.

2. Baking soda

Rinsing your mouth with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) may help treat oral thrush.

In a 2009 study, researchers looked at the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate as a disinfectant of Candida albicans adhered to acrylic resin. The test was meant to simulate the daily disinfecting of dentures.

Researchers concluded that, although not the most effective form of disinfectant, baking soda was a “viable alternative.”

To use:

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup warm water.
Swish the rinse throughout your mouth.
Spit out the rinse.

3. Yogurt

Probiotic yogurt contains live, “good” bacteria cultures that may help treat oral thrush.

The cultures don’t kill Candida. Instead, they stop its growth. They may also help restore the proper balance of good to bad bacteria in the mouth.

Since it’s soft, yogurt is also a great food to eat if you’re having trouble swallowing due to painful mouth and throat lesions.

To use:

Eat yogurt a couple times daily at the first sign of oral thrush.
Choose unsweetened varieties of yogurt since Candida thrives on sugar.
If you don’t like yogurt, you can get the same benefits by taking a daily probiotic supplement.

4. Lemon juice

Lemon juice is thought to have antiseptic and antifungal abilities that help it fight against the fungus that causes thrush.

According to a small 2009 study, lemon juice was found to be a more effective treatment for oral thrush than gentian violet among people with HIV. (Gentian violet is another home remedy for oral thrush, but recent evidence shows it may cause cancer.) Since the study was small, more research is needed.

To use:

Add the juice of half a lemon to 1 cup warm or cool water.
Drink the mixture, or use as a mouth rinse.

Some people apply lemon juice directly to thrush lesions, but the lemon’s acidity may cause burning and irritation.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric gets its vibrant yellow color from curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful compound thought to have anti-inflammatory abilities.

According to a 2010 study on mice, curcumin may treat oral thrush. The study found curcumin to be an antifungal against both albicans and non-albicans species of Candida, especially when combined with piperine.

Piperine is a compound found in black pepper that helps the body absorb turmeric. Further research is needed on humans.

To use:

Make “golden milk” by combining 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon turmeric paste (store-bought or homemade) with a dash of black pepper and 1 cup filtered water or milk of your choice.
Heat in a saucepan until warm.
Swish the mixture throughout your mouth as you drink it.

6. Clove oil

People have used clove oil as a folk remedy for oral problems for centuries. It’s still used in dentistry today as an antiseptic and pain reliever.

According to a 2005 in vivo and in vitro study on immunosuppressed rats, the main compound in clove oil (eugenol) was found to be as effective in treating oral thrush as the antifungal drug nystatin (Mycostatin).

Further research on humans is still needed, but it may work as a beneficial addition to treatment.

To use:

Take clove oil as a dietary supplement as directed by the manufacturer or your doctor. You can also make a clove mouth rinse:

Steep 1 teaspoon whole ground cloves in 1 cup boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
Strain the solution, keeping the liquid.
Swish the liquid around your mouth.
Spit out the solution.

Cloves may cause an allergic reaction or a numbing effect in the mouth in some people.

7. Oregano oil

Oregano oil is used to flavor foods, but it also has antimicrobial and antifungal abilities.

According to older research from 2001 conducted on mice and in vitro, oregano oil was effective against Candida albicans. Further research is needed.

To use:

Combine 2 drops oregano oil with 1 cup water.
Swish the mixture throughout your mouth.
Spit out the solution.

Never use undiluted oregano oil orally or topically.

8. Apple cider vinegar

People with dentures have a higher risk of oral thrush. Dentures that don’t fit properly or that aren’t cleaned well provide the ideal environment for Candida to thrive. This may cause a condition similar to thrush called denture stomatitis.

According to a 2015 in vitro study, apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties against Candida and may be a good alternative treatment option for people with denture stomatitis.

To use:

Add 1 teaspoon raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to 1 cup water.
Swish the rinse throughout your mouth for at least 15 seconds.
Spit out the mixture.

Some natural health professionals recommend rinsing with undiluted apple cider vinegar, but this may cause a painful burning sensation in your mouth.

9. Vitamin C

Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid) is necessary for proper immune system function. It does this by encouraging white blood cell production, which helps protect your body against infection.

It also helps these cells function more effectively and protects them against harmful molecules.

A healthy immune system helps bring balance back to your body. Increasing your intake of vitamin C if you’re deficient may help boost your body’s ability to beat the infection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can thrush go away on its own?

Thrush often goes away on its own once you stop whatever is causing the problem. “For example, if antibiotics led to thrush, just waiting a few weeks may give the body time to return to a natural yeast balance,” says Dr. Reisman.

Can sudocrem help thrush?

It is often mistaken for thrush or urine infections. It occurs because the area is vulnerable to irritation and may be made worse by soaps, bubble baths, dampness and not wiping front to back after using the toilet. Protection of the area with a barrier cream (bepanthen, sudocrem) is often the best treatment.

What causes female thrush?

Thrush is usually caused by a yeast fungus called candida albicans. It is not a sexually transmitted infection. Candida albicans usually lives harmlessly on the skin and in the mouth, gut and vagina. Occasionally there can be too much yeast and it can cause symptoms.

Why do I get thrush?

Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of yeast known as Candida albicans. Vaginal creams and pessaries help reduce overgrowth of candida and ease thrush symptoms. Thrush outbreaks, while uncomfortable, do not cause any long-term health issues. Consult your doctor if you have recurrent thrush.

What does vaginal thrush look like?

What does thrush look like? If you have vaginal thrush, the skin outside your vagina may be red, cracked or damaged. You may see a thick, white vaginal discharge (it may look like cottage cheese). For more information, see ‘symptoms of vaginal thrush’.

Why isn’t my thrush clearing up?

The bottom line. Yeast infections are very common and usually very treatable. In some cases, they can stick around or keep coming back. If you have a yeast infection that just won’t go away, even after treatment, follow up with a healthcare provider to make sure it’s actually a yeast infection and not something else.

What does thrush look like?

In your mouth thrush appears as a growth that can look like cottage cheese – white, raised lesions on your tongue and cheeks. The condition can quickly become irritated and cause mouth pain and redness. Thrush is caused by the overgrowth of a type of fungus called Candida.

Is thrush an STD?

Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be triggered by sex. Thrush is caused by a fungus called candida that is normally harmless. Thrush tends to grow in warm, moist conditions and develops if the balance of bacteria changes.

Can I give thrush to my boyfriend?

It’s possible for you to pass the fungus from one part of your body to another part of someone else’s body. If you have oral thrush, a vaginal yeast infection, or a penile yeast infection, you can potentially pass the fungus to your partner through vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex.

What helps thrush at night?

Some home remedies that may help ease itching at night include:

taking an oatmeal bath before bed.
using topical anti-itch creams on the vulva.
placing towel-wrapped ice packs on the vulva.
using a topical antihistamine.
trying OTC antifungal treatments for yeast infections.

Does thrush have a smell?

This discharge usually isn’t very smelly, though. ‘If your thrush symptoms are so pronounced that there’s a bad smell, you should see a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions,’ says Dr Rosén.

Is vaginal thrush contagious?

If you’re wondering if you can transmit your yeast infection to a partner through sex, the short answer is: Yes, you can. While it isn’t common, it’s not rare, either.

Is chlamydia like thrush?

The symptoms of thrush and chlamydia can be very similar, including irritation, discharge and pain when peeing. If you have chlamydia, you may also develop abdominal pain and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Can dirty fingers cause yeast infection?

Girls can have vaginal infections for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with sexual contact — such as stress, for example. Even if you’re not having intercourse, fingering and oral sex can lead to infection. Ask your boyfriend to wash his hands before touching your genitals.

Can sperm cause thrush?

Thrush isn’t considered an STI because yeast is naturally occurring in the vagina and you can get thrush even without being sexually active. However, contact with semen during sex can sometimes disrupt the natural environment in the vagina, triggering thrush. Using condoms can prevent this effect.

Is Cranberry Juice Good for thrush?

Cranberry juice and yoghurt are two foods that taken regularly may help prevent thrush occurring.

Can Vaseline help a yeast infection?

DO pamper your skin. If you have external irritation on the vulva, applying thick ointments like Vaseline® and Aquaphor® can provide a barrier against yeast and reduce itching.

Can you put Vaseline on your VAG if it’s itchy?

For those whose dryness and itching comes from an external source or lifestyle factors, your doctor may recommend you stop douching or, if possible, change medications. Dabbing a little bit of vaseline petroleum jelly, coconut oil or even Crisco vegetable shortening on the dry skin area can also help heal itching.

Do STD tests check for thrush?

A swab sample can also detect thrush, bacterial vaginosis and various other germs (bacteria) which are not STIs. Chlamydia can also be detected using samples of urine. HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis are usually tested for using a blood sample which is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Why does my boyfriend keep giving me yeast infections?

Intercourse introduces bacteria from your partner’s finger or penis into your vagina’s ecosystem of bacteria and Candida. Sex toys can also transmit it. This disruption may be enough to trigger a vaginal yeast infection.

What foods aggravate thrush?

Based on this information, the foods to avoid with oral thrush include:

Sugary drinks, candies, cookies and cakes.
Fruits high in sugar, such as bananas, grapes and figs.
Milk, cheese, and other dairy products high in lactose (some cheeses do not contain lactose)

Can I use Sudocrem on my private area?

– Do not use powder, baby wipes, adult bath products or medicines on their genital area. A barrier cream such as Sudocrem can be used if the skin is sore. Do not apply any other types of creams unless advised by your GP.