Symptoms of thrush and methods of treatment: how not to get infected again

Симптомы молочницы и способы лечения — как не заразиться снова

Thrush affects the skin and mucous membranes of a person. Frankly unaesthetic appearance of damaged areas, irritation, burning, discomfort — enough reason to suspect thrush and start treatment.

Let's look at the disease in more detail. Thrush — external manifestation of a fungal infection, the genus Candida. All fungi of this taxon are opportunistic pathogens. That is, Candida microorganisms are initially present in the organisms of most people. They can be found in the mouth, in the vagina, on the walls of the large intestine. Under certain conditions, yeast-like fungi are activated: they grow and multiply, bringing problems to their owners. Let's dwell on the causes that activate thrush and talk about how to treat it.

Thrush Dossier: Causes of Fungus Activation
Thrush symptoms in men and women
Risk group: situations in which the appearance of thrush is most likely
Features of the treatment of thrush: everything that is important to know
Is it possible to cure thrush at home
How medicine fights thrush
What to do so that the thrush does not return anymore

Thrush Dossier: Causes of Fungus Activation

The symptoms of thrush and treatment cannot be disassembled until we find out what causes Candida fungi to "wake up" to multiply vigorously. Here are some reasons:

Decreased host immunity
Metabolic disorders
Use of hormonal contraceptives, treatment with hormonal drugs
The use of antibiotics that destroy other microorganisms, making room for Candida
Long-term stay of a person in conditions with high humidity and temperature
Local infection — passage through the birth canal, breastfeeding

Additionally, the conditions for the development of thrush are considered to be wearing synthetic underwear, an excess of smoked and sweet foods, douching without need. Separately, mention should be made of casual sex. In this case, the condom will avoid infection of the mucous membranes with foreign microorganisms.

Symptoms of thrush in men and women

In men and women, candidiasis can be superficial or internal. The way the thrush looks depends on the location of the wild mushroom colony:

If the fungus develops on nails, then the nail plate turns white and crashes from the inside.
If thrush affects the mucous membrane of the mouth, vagina, glans penis, then they are covered with intense white, similar to curd, bloom. The process of development of the white mass is accompanied by itching and burning. There is an unpleasant characteristic odor. Sexual intercourse and urination cause pain — burning.
Internal form of thrush — development of fungi on the walls of the intestines. In a child, it manifests itself in the form of dysbacteriosis. Adult — unreasonable diarrhea that removes liquid and useful substances from the body.

Risk group: situations in which the appearance of thrush is most likely

Pregnancy. According to statistics, pregnant women suffer from thrush much more often. Due to the fact that not all drugs are available for treatment during pregnancy, you should definitely consult a doctor and in no case try to extinguish the focus of the disease yourself.
Age from 20-40 years old. At this age, women have the highest risk of getting thrush. It is recommended to strictly monitor nutrition and maintain immunity. Below you will find tips and information about unhealthy foods that trigger thrush.
Microtrauma during sex. Injury from having sex with insufficient lubrication can lead to the development of thrush.
Taking antibiotics. A common cause of candidiasis is a course of antibiotics. During treatment with this type of medication, be especially attentive to nutrition and lifestyle. And at the first appearance of symptoms, consult a doctor. Thrush after antibiotics is easy to cure if you start the process as soon as possible.
Climate change. If you travel to a hot country in the middle of winter, then be prepared for the appearance of thrush. Good immunity can protect you from this problem. But if it is somewhat lowered, then you will have to be treated.

Features of the treatment of thrush: everything that is important to know

Is it possible to cure thrush at home

It is better not to treat thrush on your own. Yes, I would like to cope with this disease quickly and at home. However, there are serious risks to worsen their situation. There are at least three reasons for not treating thrush at home:

You run the risk of developing a chronic form. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner after the first outbreaks of the disease, it can go into the chronic stage. And then it will be very difficult to part with thrush forever. Periodically, it will make itself felt, manifested by itching and cottage cheese discharge.
The symptoms of thrush may be hiding a more serious condition. Some sexually transmitted diseases have symptoms similar to thrush. For example, genital herpes, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis. If you try to diagnose yourself with an inexperienced look, then there is a big risk of confusion. The wrong treatment will follow the mistake, the symptoms will bother me more and more, as a result, the disease will reach a difficult stage. Often, women who have been treated for thrush on their own for several weeks, or even months, get into the gynecology departments. At the same time, having a completely different disease, which by that time had already reached the stage of hospitalization.
Drugs won't help. Advertising promises us getting rid of thrush once and for all. It is enough to drink one small capsule. Joyful women buy these drugs, drink them on the advice of friends or on their own, determining the dosage with the help of intuition. As a result, the infection simply develops resistance to drugs. If, with any manifestation similar to thrush, you immediately grabbed the pills prescribed by yourself, then they will stop helping. And they will stop just when there is a real need for them. This will complicate the task of the doctor, who will have to look for and select other methods of treatment for you.

How medicine fights thrush

We have already decided on the need to see a doctor. Now let's see what can be waiting for you in his office.

For the treatment of thrush, antibiotics are prescribed, which are designed to defeat fungal infections. Among them: clotrimazole, natamycin, fluconazole. Antibiotics are taken both orally, in tablets, and externally with the help of gels and ointments.

The doctor selects the drug and its form depending on the complexity and neglect of the disease. And also taking into account your reaction to medications: do you have allergies, do antibiotics cause unpleasant side effects, and so on.

The duration of treatment for thrush varies from 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks. The doctor monitors the course of the disease, and if it is found that the thrush comes back too often, then a longer treatment can be prescribed.

What to do so that the thrush does not return anymore

We have already found out that there is a dangerous fungus in every organism. But with the help of simple rules, you can make sure that he no longer wakes up. Incorporate these tips into your lifestyle, and thrush will bother you less often, or even disappear forever:

Use only water and special soap for intimate hygiene. No products with fragrances or dyes.
Wear natural cotton underwear. Synthetics provoke the development of thrush.
Reduce the use of sanitary napkins. If you must, use only those that are odorless.
Remove sugary and spicy foods from your diet. Or at least keep them to a minimum.
Reduce alcohol consumption. This recommendation is universal for many gynecological problems. Alcohol has a bad effect on the female microflora.
Pay attention to your immunity. Consult your doctor on how to increase your immunity, how to increase your body's endurance. Universal advice for boosting immunity: the right diet and daily walks in the fresh air. It may sound trite, but it really works and saves you from having to take medication.