Coping With Thrush

The first time i ever got thrush was in my 20's after what was supposed to be a relaxing holiday. During that holiday I got a bad case of food poisoning and had to be injected with powerful antibiotics twice a day. I became very exhausted from the illness and then from the effect of the antibiotics.

I recovered from the food poisoning thanks to the antibiotics, but when I got home I started this annoying itchy white rash in an intimate area. I had no idea what it could be and was quite scared. So I went off to the doctors and was diagnosed with thrush. She gave me some medication and pessaries and in a few days it had all gone. great!!

However the Thrush did not stay away...

Over the years often when I was given antibiotics or got unwell, back came the thrush. Sometimes it was easily taken care of with over the counter remedies, other times I had to get medication from a doctor. Always it was annoying and often distressing.

Thrush can be very debilitating, at best it is embarrassing, itchy and sore, but it can be much worse. It affects every day life in what you can and cannot wear, your love life and if you decide to try an anti candida diet it affects your eating habits. I also got bad cravings sometimes as well for sugary things!

Often people who get thrush may also suffer from urinary tract infections as well.

Gradually it dawned on me that I had to understand more about the thrush /candida so I could understand what was happening in my body and get back in control. I needed to break the cycle I seemed to be every time I had to had antibiotics or got unwell equalled a thrush attack.

I read a lot, got myself more educated abouthte reasons behind the thrush and decided to change my diet to eat more healthy. Anytime I have antibiotics I take a good vitamin supplement and probiotics during and for some time afterwards.

Have I conquered Thrush? Well not yet entirely but I am always willing to learn and understand more to help me help myself and others, learning and increasing my knowledge of the body and candida and how it works.

Symptoms can be varied and you may not have ALL of these. Thrush can be confined to a small area of the body or can be widespread across many body areas. If you have never had thrush before it is very important that you are diagnosed by a qualified healthcare provider. PLEASE NOTE: Many conditions can appear similar.

These are the main symptoms

Itching

Burning

Soreness

Swelling of the vagina and vulva

Yeasty-smelling "cottage cheese" - like discharge.

You may also experience

Body rash

Chronic fatigue

Food allergies

Cravings for sugar and carbs

A white film on the mouth or tongue)

Abdominal pain, bloating, gas and indigestion

Joint pain with arthritis-like symptoms

Sinusitis-frequent

Weight gain or loss.

Difficulty concentrating

"Athletes" foot infections

Urinary infections-cystitis

Itching, red eyes

Rashes inside the ears or around the genital area

Anxiety / Depression

Menstrual irregularities

Loss of libido

Bad breath

Thrush can appear anywhere on the body but is most common

Intimate areas of the body

Folds of skin ie under the breasts /inner thighs.

Ear

Feet (Athletes foot)

Anywhere it is most likely to be warm and moist is where candida can flourish. It is very important to dry areas thoroughly and to try to let air get to the area.

Candida overgrowth an manifest as white cottage cheese like substance, red shiny sore areas or a rash like appearance. It will generally be itchy and sore.

Anyone can get a candida infection from babies to men and women of any age. There are however some predisposing factors which may make you more susceptible to candida overgrowth. This is not an exhaustive list and does not mean if you fall into any of these that you will get thrush.

If you take anti-biotics a lot

If you eat a lot of sugary, processed foods and refined carbohydrates

If you are on steroids

If you regularly wear tight clothing

If you take the birth control pill

If you are undergoing chemotherapy treatment

If you have a weaked immune system

If you have Diabetes

If you have a lot of Stress

If you are Pregnant

If you have Low thyroid.

I am a person with some experience of Thrush/candida on a personal basis and not a medical expert. This lens contains personal opinions that are not intended as medical advice. The contents are not intended to diagnose, treat or give a medical opinion. You should always consult a medical professional if you feel you may be suffering symptoms of Candida infection.

The information here is no substitute for medical diagnosis and guidance. Consult a physician in all matters relating to health, particularly concerning any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Never disregard medical advice, or delay or change treatment because of something you have read here. For assistance with thrush/candida, or any other medical condition, always consult a qualified healthcare professional. You health is your responsibility.