Most people have small amounts of the Candida fungus in their mouth, digestive tract and skin. When illnesses, stress or medications disturb this balance, the fungus grows out of control and causes thrush.
Stress compromises your immune system. That's why many women develop a yeast infection when they're going through stressful, major life changes like planning a wedding, getting a divorce, facing unemployment, or moving.
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.
What causes thrush? Your vagina naturally has a certain amount of yeast. Thrush is caused by the growth of too much yeast. You are more likely to get thrush if you have recently taken antibiotics, you have diabetes or your immune system is weakened (for example, because you have HIV).
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 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.
Babies, young children and elderly people are at a particularly high risk of developing oral thrush, as are people with certain underlying conditions, including diabetes, an iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and HIV.
Causes of oral thrush
wearing dentures (false teeth), particularly if they don't fit properly. having poor oral hygiene. having a dry mouth, either because of a medical condition or a medication you are taking. smoking.
the menstrual cycle, which may cause monthly thrush episodes. hormonal or vaginal pH changes. sexual activity. having a weakened immune system (such as HIV or chemotherapy treatments)
Some studies have shown that stress is also one of the causes of vaginal itching. People with long-term stress often carry the risk of hormonal disorders in the body. At this time, the bacteria will take advantage of the invasion of the intimate area causing itching.
Other than itching and being dried out, it can lead to or exaggerate yeast infections. The vagina is a delicate ecosystem and if something as serious as dehydration throws it off, the PH balance can be thrown off and a domino effect of complications can be set into motion.
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.
Warm, damp towels are an ideal environment for microbial growth, including bacteria, mold and yeast.
The symptoms will usually clear up within a week or two. However, for some women, vaginal thrush can be difficult to treat and keeps coming back.
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.
A dry mouth can increase your risk of infections like oral candidiasis, also known as oral thrush. Oral thrush is a yeast infection that commonly causes a white patch over the papillae on your tongue. It can also occur on: your inner cheeks.
Look for a supplement that includes good levels of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, as low levels of all three nutrients are associated with the development of oral thrush.
In particular, foods high in sugar, refined grains, dairy products, processed meats, and alcohol may promote the growth of Candida ( 28 ). While more research is needed, one study found that people who avoided these foods during treatment for Candida had better outcomes after 3 months ( 28 ).
If your thrush keeps coming back, it can make you feel down or depressed, and it can affect your sex life too. See your GP to get some support if this happens to you.
Thrush is a yeast infection caused by the Candida species of fungus, usually Candida albicans. It usually lives harmlessly in the vagina and does not cause any symptoms, because its growth is kept under control by normal bacteria.
Kill the yeast on your shirts and bras and baby's clothes by adding 1 cup of white vinegar (per whole load) to the rinse cycle of your laundry. Wash bras in hot water with a vinegar rinse at the end of every day (if hand washing, a tablespoon of vinegar in a bowl full of water then rinse again with warm water).
Yeast infections
Your bed may be a perfect breeding ground for such yeasts, and so again the sheets need to be washed regularly and at a hot temperature.
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.
Can thrush be a sign of stress? When we're put under a lot of stress it can affect our bodies and how they work. Stress can make us feel run down and weaken our immune system, making us vulnerable to illnesses such as colds as well as infections such as thrush.