Self-help during an attack of thrush. If you cannot get to a doctor or chemist immediately, try washing in a diluted salt solution (one teaspoon of table salt to one pint of water in a basin) or take a salt bath. This soothes the tissues and prevents growth of yeast.
Try warm saltwater rinses.
Dissolve about 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of salt in 1 cup (237 milliliters) of warm water. Swish the rinse and then spit it out, but don't swallow.
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.
Apply Saltwater Rinses
Yeast infections can sometimes be reduced and soothed by rinsing the area gently with saltwater. Mix a half teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water.
If you have a mild case of oral thrush after a course of antibiotics, consider eating yogurt or taking an over-the-counter (OTC) acidophilus pill. Probiotics help repopulate the "good" bacteria in your body. Severe cases of thrush are usually treated with antifungal medications.
You'll usually need antifungal medicine to get rid of thrush. This can be a tablet you take, a tablet you insert into your vagina (pessary) or a cream to relieve the irritation. Thrush should clear up within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment. You do not need to treat partners unless they have symptoms.
If you have mild thrush symptoms you can use over the counter antifungal creams to treat your thrush, however if your symptoms are severe you'll need to visit your GP who may be able to prescribe stronger anti-fungal medicines.
Prescription yeast infection treatments
Diflucan (fluconazole) is an azole drug that can only be purchased with a prescription from a doctor or healthcare provider. It can be taken as a single-dose oral medication for mild infections or as a single dose every three days for more severe infections.
Don't wear nylon or other fabric that holds body heat and moisture close to the skin. Try sleeping without underwear. Don't scratch. Relieve itching with a cold pack or a cool bath.
Thrush can be confused with other conditions that cause itching and redness with or without discharge. These other conditions include herpes infections and bacterial infections. Your doctor will examine you and take a swab or do further tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Physiological saline has the effect of cleaning the intimate area, but should not be used for this purpose. You should only wash the intimate area with salt water about twice a week, avoid washing too often because it can irritate the private area.
Drugs such as prednisone, inhaled corticosteroids, or antibiotics that disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in your body can increase your risk of oral thrush. Other oral conditions. Wearing dentures, especially upper dentures, or having conditions that cause dry mouth can increase the risk of oral thrush.
Certain Products, Antibiotics, and Conditions Are Linked to Yeast Infections. Perfumes can be irritating to the sensitive area inside the vagina, and that can increase your risk of getting a yeast infection. Also, avoid scented sanitary pads and tampons and colored or printed toilet paper — dyes can also be irritating.
Vaginal suppositories containing tea tree oil have been shown to treat vaginal fungal infections. Some women report relief from adding diluted tea tree oil to a tampon and inserting this into the vagina overnight.
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.
Mild yeast infections may clear up in as few as three days. Sometimes, they don't even require treatment. But moderate to severe infections may take one to two weeks to clear.
Cranberry juice and yoghurt are two foods that taken regularly may help prevent thrush occurring. Candida loves a damp warm environment.
Mild yeast infections often clear up in just a few days, but more severe infections can last up to two weeks.
Recurrent thrush treatment
Your GP or a healthcare professional at a sexual health clinic may be able to help find the cause of the thrush you are experiencing. If you have been diagnosed with thrush before and recognise the symptoms, you'll need to use antifungal medicine each time you have thrush.
As a rule, showers are better than baths when you're in the process of treating a yeast infection. If you do take a sitz bath with Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, boric acid, or any other home remedy while you're treating your yeast infection, don't soak for more than 10 minutes at a time.
Even though yeast infections can be really itchy, try not to scratch. It can make irritation worse or cause cuts in your skin, which can spread germs and lead to more infection. There are over-the-counter creams that you can use on your vulva to help calm the irritation.
Thrush (or candida) is an infection of the vagina that makes your genitals very itchy and sore. It is very common and most women have it at least once in their lives. It is not a sign of bad hygiene.