Home Remedy For Thrush
Home Remedy for Thrush: Is There Such a Thing?
Thrush can be a persistent problem that can lead to several prescription medications, but what about a home remedy for thrush? You should know that thrush is caused an overabundance of the yeast candida albicans, which is naturally present in small amounts in the human body. When the numbers grow too large, the body starts showing signs of this abundance. There are a few do it yourself remedies that many people have found successful, and the best part is that most remedies consist of natural products found in the home. We are going to discuss some popular at-home treatments for thrush, but first we are going to talk about the symptoms of thrush.
It is important to know that while thrush can develop in an adult, it is most often seen in infants—particularly breastfed infants. The most obvious symptom of the presence of thrush is a white tongue or white patches in the mouth. These white patches are often shrugged off as accumulation of milk or formula; however a quick “rub test” will show whether it is indeed thrush or not. Rubbing a patch of thrush will not make the whiteness go away and may sometimes result in bleeding. The tongue or mouth as a whole is likely to be painful and swallowing may become difficult in severe cases. The infant is likely to cry because he is hungry yet refuse to eat when offered. This is because he is genuinely hungry yet cannot eat due to the pain it causes his mouth. Diaper rash is another indication that thrush is indeed present as the yeast that causes the outbreak in the baby’s mouth will also pass through his feces, resulting in a rashy outbreak.
In an adult, the symptoms may not be as apparent. Sometimes thrush is present and no symptoms show up, yet for others there are a few signs that might crop up. A thrush infection in the early stages may cause the mouth and throat discomfort ranging from a mild burning feeling to outright painful. White patches will also begin to form on the tongue and cheeks. On an adult, it might be easier to notice that the area surrounding these white patches is red and painful. As with infant thrush, these patches may bleed if they are scratched or rubbed. Many adults describe the sensation of feeling as though their mouth is full of cotton or that their sense of taste is dimmed. An adult with thrush may also complain of having a strong case of bad breath.
The most common cases of thrush are between a breastfeeding mom and her baby. The baby may or may not show signs of thrush while the mother may or may not as well. Her nipples can become red and very painful during and after breastfeeding. These cases are most difficult to treat because the mother often tries to only treat the baby for thrush, when in fact her nipples can carry the yeast that just keeps re-infecting the baby’s mouth. Therefore both the baby’s mouth and the mother’s nipples should be treated.
So, what’s the most preferred home remedy for thrush, you ask? Yogurt. Yeah, the plain yogurt you buy from the store is the most talked-about DIY remedy for thrush. Live culture yogurt has tons of good bacteria that can help stamp out the excess amounts of candida yeast causing your thrush. For infants, simply scoop a bit of yogurt onto your (clean) finger and rub the affected areas in the mouth. If you are breastfeeding, go ahead and rub some onto your nipples and let it sit for a while. Go ahead and wipe it off before feeding your baby, though.
Another home remedy for thrush (for adults only!) is a mixture that creates a sort of mouthwash. Mix together equal amounts of warm water and cider vinegar. Add in a pinch of salt and mix until the salt dissolves. Swish this around in your mouth for a while, then spit it out. Do this a couple of times a day until the symptoms are completely gone.
Our last home remedy for thrush involves garlic and onions, both of which have antifungal power that will help fight off the thrush. Start off by adding garlic and onions to your diet. If you don’t see any results, try mashing them into a paste and adding a little water. Rinse this about in your mouth for a bit, then spit it out.