Thrush in your mouth, throat or gut

Candida (a fungus) usually lives in your mouth without causing any problems. Candida can grow quickly and cause an infection if you have an underlying condition and when some medicines are used.

Oral thrush is usually quite easy to identify. Symptoms may include:

• a white or cream-coloured patch on your tongue, the inside of your cheeks, or the roof of your mouth
• redness or bleeding in your mouth, tongue, throat or roof of your mouth, especially in denture wearers
• pain in your mouth or throat
• red sores and cracks in the corners of your mouth
• difficulty eating and drinking
• a bad taste in your mouth.

If you are breastfeeding and your baby has oral thrush, both you and your baby can have symptoms.

For you this can include:

• red, sensitive or itchy nipples
• flaky or shiny skin on your areola (the dark area surrounding your nipples)
• pain in your breast or nipples during or between feeds.

For your baby, this can include:

• not feeding well
• having a nappy rash.

See your pharmacist or doctor if you think you have any symptoms of oral thrush or if you are worried. They will ask you questions about your symptoms, including whether you are taking any medicines or have any underlying medical conditions. They may look into your mouth. Usually no test is needed to diagnose oral thrush. 

Oral thrush is best treated with antifungal medicines to clear the infection and self-care measures to prevent re-infection. 

Antifungal medicines

Anti-fungal medicines come as a liquid (Nilstat), gel (miconazole) or tablets (Fungilin) that dissolve in your mouth. When using these medicines, it's important to hold them in your mouth before swallowing. Try not to swallow them too quickly, as the longer the medicine is in contact with the site of infection the better. 

Nilstat liquid and miconazole gel can be bought from your pharmacy without a prescription, after discussion with your pharmacist. To ensure you get the right product, your pharmacist will ask you a few questions regarding your symptoms and recommend a suitable product for you. They may refer you to your doctor. 

For more severe infections, a medicine called fluconazole may be used, eg, for people with a poor immune system who develop extensive oral thrush. Fluconazole is usually prescribed for 7 days and this will usually clear oral thrush.

Self-care

• Babies – sterilise all feeding equipment, dummies and toys that have been in contact with your baby’s mouth.
• Breastfeeding – check if you have a yeast infection on your nipples. Some antifungal medicines can be applied on your nipple to treat the infection.
• Dentures – some antifungal medicines can be applied directly to your dentures in the evening and left overnight. 
• Using a steroid inhaler – thrush in your mouth is a common side effect. To prevent infection, try using a spacer with your inhaler (read more about spacers). Rinse your mouth with water or clean your teeth after using your inhaler.

Practicing good oral hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent oral thrush.

• Brush your teeth twice a day or after each meal.
• Brush your gums and tongue with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse your mouth after eating or taking medicines, especially inhaled corticosteroids.
• If you smoke, get support to quit.
• Drink plenty of water, unless you have a health condition that means you need to restrict fluid intake.
• If your baby has oral thrush, make sure all feeding equipment, dummies and toys that have been in contact with your baby’s mouth are sterilised.
• If your child has asthma and is on inhaled corticosteroids, use a spacer and rinse their mouth with water afterwards. 
• Don’t wear dentures overnight and carefully clean dentures every day as advised by your dentist.
• Go for regular check-ups with your dentist if you wear dentures.
• Go for regular check-ups with your doctor if you have diabetes.