The medical name for thrush is Candida albicans and it is a common yeast infection. The infection is commonly seen in the mouth and in the vagina. Medical statistics show that thrush is often the result of undiagnosed conditions such as HIV and cancer.
Thrush is seen in the mouth of babies who are born to mothers suffering from vaginal yeast infection. In older people thrush of the mouth is caused as a result of wearing unclean dentures. Many women and men suffer from yeast infection of the sexual organs because of unprotected sex or unhygienic practices. Whatever the cause of the infection, it is important to get it treated or it can spiral off to a more dangerous condition
.Medical diagnosis of the condition is important to find out the reason for the infection. If the infection is caused due to result of some other condition then start the treatment for both the infection as well as the condition as soon as possible.Thrush can be treated at home using simple and effective remedies. However, like mentioned earlier, medical diagnosis of the infection is very important.
Simple Home Remedies For Treating Thrush
Garlic
This remedy is commonly used for treating many infections because it successfully eliminates the infection causing micro-organisms. Garlic can be used for treating thrush of both the mouth and the sexual organs. Prepare paste of garlic by crushing the pods of peeled garlic. Do not add water to the crushed garlic.
Apply the garlic paste evenly inside the mouth to treat thrush. The paste can be applied to vagina as well as the penis. Re-apply the paste every two hours to fasten the process of elimination of the yeast. Some people may not like the taste of raw garlic in their mouth. Even babies will not respond well to garlic treatment.
Hence, mix some honey with garlic to make the treatment palatable. If you are nursing your baby then apply some garlic juce to your nipples as well. Do not add honey to the garlic paste if applying it on your vagina or penis. The treatment should be done regularly for two weeks. Even if the infection disappears within a few days, doing it for two weeks will ensure that the infection does not return.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is also an effective way of treating thrush in babies as well as adults. Prepare solution by mixing two teaspoons of baking soda powder in 150 ml of plain water. Use medicated cotton to apply the solution inside your baby’s mouth.
Do this 4-5 times in a day. You can even apply the solution on your nipples before feeding the baby. Clean your nipples with medicated soap after feeding.Use cotton to apply baking soda solution in and around the vagina as well as the penis. Do this at least 8-10 times to fasten the elimination of the yeast.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known for its strong antibacterial and antifungal properties that effectively help in eliminating the infection causing organisms. Prepare solution of apple cider vinegar by combining two tablespoons of the vinegar with three tablespoons of water. Cut your nails really small and wash your hands well. Dip your index finger in the apple cider vinegar solution and apply the solution in your baby’s mouth.
Wash your hands with medicated soap after application of the solution or you will end up spreading the infection to baby’s diaper area. Repeat the treatment after every hour. Do this for 7-8 days to ensure that the infection has gone away completely.To treat vaginal and penal thrush, prepare bath of apple cider vinegar and soak yourself in this bath twice a day for 20 minutes. You can even clean yourself with the apple cider vinegar solution every hour.
Yogurt
Yogurt contains healthy bacteria that help fight the infection causing yeast and bacteria. Therefore, yogurt is a very effective remedy for treating thrush. Use only organic or homemade yogurt for treating the infection. Do not use flavored yogurt; only plain yogurt.
Apply the yogurt inside your baby’s mouth every two hours. Use your clean index finger for application of yogurt. Wash the finger well after application.Insert plain yogurt inside the vagina to fight the yeast infection. You can spread yogurt over a clean tampon and insert the tampon deep inside the vagina. Take out the tampon after 10 minutes. Use your fingers to apply the yogurt on the areas surrounding the vagina and the penis. Do the treatment 4-5 times daily to ward off the infection.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has caprylic acid that is antifungal in nature. Hence, coconut oil can be used for treating oral thrush in babies. Use coconut oil meant for cooking to treat the thrush. Warm the oil a little before application. Spread the oil evenly inside the mouth using clean index finger.
Re-apply the coconut oil after every two hours in your baby’s mouth. You should also apply a little coconut oil on your nipples before feeding your baby.For vaginal and penal thrush, apply coconut oil over the infected areas after every hour. This will also prevent you from scratching the area.
Boric Powder
Boric powder is used for treating vaginal and penal thrush. Mix three cups of boric acid to your bath water. Soak yourself in this treated water for 20 minutes. Spread your legs so that the vagina gets treated properly. Take this bath twice a day for 5-7 days.Do not use boric powder solution for treating oral thrush.
The treatments will take time to work but you have to be very regular with them or the infection will return. Along with these treatments it is important to take care of your diet as well to treat thrush completely and successfully. Do not eat foods that contain forms of candida. In fact, avoid foods like bread, pizzas, white sugar, mushrooms, sprouts, pickles, processed alcohols and bagels. Do not consume foods with yeast in it while you are suffering from the infection. Avoid these foods for the next couple of months to heal faster.
