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What is Thrush?

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:27:18 UTC

Thrush is a fungal infection. The medical term for Thrush is Candidiasis that also means yeast infection. There are many types of Thrush. Oral thrush is in the mouth, cutaneous candidiasis is infection of the skin and nails, and vaginal yeast infection is in vagina and tissues at the opening of the vulva. Some people think thrush is only located in the mouth, but you can get it anywhere.

How is Thrush acquired?

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:29:26 UTC

Thrush can happen in many ways but mainly being the fungus that lives in the mucous membrane lining in your mouth. Thrush can happen in a weakened immune systems, medications, diabetes, skin conditions, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, breast feeding, and sex. Not cleaning yourself properly after having sex can put you at high risk for thrush in men and females. Did you know that having a weakened immune system caused by cancer treatments can also cause thrush? A lot of antibiotics can also cause thrush.

Who is at risk for Thrush?

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:31:44 UTC

Thrush can be passed along to men and women but are often found in young children or older people. Babies under one month old have a higher risk for thrush than anyone does. People with certain health conditions, like HIV, can get thrush. Thrush is common in women in the childbearing age as well. You may not realize it but using an inhaler without rinsing your mouth, don't brush your teeth twice a day, or over using mouth washes or sprays can cause thrush.

Symptoms of Thrush

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:37:36 UTC

Symptoms in females include: white and clumpy discharge, itchiness, redness and swelling around the vulva.

Symptoms in men include: irritation, burning or itching around the head of the penis or foreskin, cottage cheese looking discharge. Both men and women can have a foul odor downstairs when they have thrush. Both men and women can get thrush in their mouth as well. Symptoms in the mouth can include: white patches on the tongue or cheeks, sore throat, loss of taste, and cracking and redness in the corners of the mouth.

Preventions of Thrush

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:40:52 UTC

There are a lot of ways you can prevent thrush from happening. A couple of ways to prevent thrush would be wearing cotton underwear and loose clothing. Also, if you have diabetes, make sure your sugar stays maintained. ALWAYS brush your teeth twice a day. When you breast feed, make sure you use nursing pads to keep the fungus from sticking to your clothes. Having fungus on your nipples, needs to be treated with a cream.

Treatments

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:42:20 UTC

Antibiotics and antimycotics can be used to cure thrush. The antibiotics are used to kill the fungus that causes the thrush. If you can catch it in time, the medicine can keep it from spreading to other parts of your body. You can also ease symptoms by eating yogurts, clove oil, apple cider vinegar, or drinking slat water. You can also limit your sugar intake and consume very little of processed foods.

Facts about Thrush

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:49:51 UTC

Thrush can spread to your lungs, liver, and spleen if it is not caught in time. Symptoms can worsen before your period starts. Thrush can usually clear within two weeks with proper medications or creams. Thrush can also take up to six months to go away. Did you know that some people can have thrush and never have a symptom?

Fun Fact!

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 16:58:54 UTC

The name Thrush comes from the word albicans which means "to whiten." Thrush can cause biofilms that are 3D structures and protect the fungus. More than half the population has Candida in their gastrointestinal tract. Thrush can be solid white, red or raw, and lesions on the tongue. It is best to know what you are looking for.

What can be misdiagnosed as Thrush?

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 17:03:39 UTC

There are a lot of other things that can look like thrush. One of the misdiagnosis of Thrush can be leukoplakia or lichen planus. Milk and formula are often mistaken as thrush. Other things that can be mistaken for thrush are geographic tongue, canker sores, or coated tongue

Things that can increase the risk of Thrush.

cnmoore04 — 2024-11-18 17:22:32 UTC

Some antibiotics and corticosteroids are medicines that can make Thrush a lot worst. Older people having dentures that aren't properly cared for can cause thrush. Cancer patients taking chemo or radiation increases the risk of having thrush. Saliva helps keep germs under control but having a dry mouth can cause tooth decay or thrush. Antifungals prescribed from a doctor is always the best route to cure thrush!