These include canker sores, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis, oral cancer, oral lichen planus, oral thrush, and similar disorders. Most of the time, a health care provider or dentist will look at the ulcer and where it is in the mouth to make the diagnosis. You may need blood tests or a biopsy of the ulcer may be needed to confirm the cause.
The outcome varies depending on the cause of the ulcer. Many mouth ulcers are harmless and heal without treatment. Some types of cancer may first appear as a mouth ulcer that does not heal. Diseases of the mouth and salivary glands. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Disorders of the mucous membranes. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Vaginal thrush is common — about three-quarters of women will have it at some point in their lives. Up to one in 20 women has repeated recurrent thrush infections.
You might not have any symptoms of thrush, and not realise you have it or need treatment. If you do get vaginal thrush symptoms, they may include:. If you think you might have thrush, go and see your pharmacist to get some advice. You can get treatments over-the-counter. Thrush symptoms can also be triggered after sex. Some people find that vaginal thrush comes back. If you do have symptoms, your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will usually be able to diagnose thrush just by asking about them.
They may also ask you about your medical history and whether you've had thrush before. A swab looks similar to a small round cotton bud and is used to collect a sample of cells or discharge from your vagina. This will check if you have thrush, and not another type of infection. The test isn't usually painful, although it might feel a little uncomfortable. If you have thrush, you might find it helps to stop using soap or perfumed shower and bath products around your genital area.
You could try washing with an emollient cream or ointment such as E45 on your skin outside your vagina too.
Douching washing out your vagina with water or special douching fluid can increase your risk of thrush. Other perfumed products such as feminine deodorants, biological washing powder and fabric conditioner may increase irritation and are best avoided. Avoid spermicidal jellies and creams as these can increase your risk of thrush.
If you get treatment for thrush with medicines, it will usually get better within a week or two at most. You can buy most thrush medicines from a pharmacy, without a prescription.
These come in the form of tablets you swallow, or vaginal creams or pessaries. A pessary is a tablet that you put into your vagina, usually at night. Examples of vaginal thrush treatments include:. Tablets work just as well as pessaries and creams but there are some differences in side-effects.
About vaginal thrush Vaginal thrush is a common yeast infection that affects most women at some point. However, for some women, vaginal thrush can be difficult to treat and keeps coming back. Symptoms of vaginal thrush Typical symptoms of vaginal thrush include: itching and soreness around the entrance of the vagina itchy labia vaginal discharge — this is usually odourless and may be thick and white or thin and watery pain during sex, which may make you worry about having sex a stinging sensation when peeing Sometimes the skin around the vagina can be red, swollen or cracked.
What to do if you have vaginal thrush If you've had thrush before and think you have it again, you can normally treat it with medicines bought from a local pharmacy. Find your local sexual health clinic View sexual health clinics in your area using Scotland's Service Directory. How to treat vaginal thrush Mild thrush can usually be treated with a short course of antifungal medication.
Treatment may need to be continued for longer if you have repeated bouts of thrush. The main types are: pessaries — a special pill that you insert into your vagina using a special applicator intravaginal creams — these are also placed into the vagina using an applicator capsules — these are swallowed and may be more convenient to use than pessaries or intravaginal cream, but can have more troublesome side effects, such as vomiting or an upset stomach These treatments are all equally effective.
What causes vaginal thrush? Vaginal thrush is caused by yeasts from a group of fungi called Candida. You're more likely to get thrush if you: are in your twenties and thirties — thrush is less common in girls who haven't started their periods and women who have been through the menopause are pregnant have sex when you're not fully aroused or you're worried it may hurt — this can lead to vaginal dryness and tightness during sex, which can trigger thrush take antibiotics have poorly controlled diabetes have a weakened immune system — for example, because of a condition such as HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy Vaginal thrush isn't classed as an STI, but it can be triggered by sex — particularly if you have trouble relaxing and your vagina is dry — and can occasionally be passed on to sexual partners.
Preventing vaginal thrush If you get thrush frequently, you can: use water and an emollient moisturiser soap substitute to clean the vulva skin around your vagina , but avoid cleaning this area more than once a day apply a greasier moisturiser to the skin around your vagina several times a day to protect it but be aware that these moisturisers can weaken condoms avoid potential irritants in perfumed soaps, shower gels, vaginal deodorants, wipes and douches avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear or tights — some women find that special silk underwear designed for people with eczema and thrush is helpful ensure your blood sugar level is kept under control, if you have diabetes Some women eat probiotic yoghurt or supplements to prevent vaginal thrush, but there's little evidence to suggest this works.
Treating vaginal thrush Vaginal thrush is treated with medications you can buy over the counter from a pharmacy, or get on prescription from your GP.
Find your local pharmacy Thrush medications Thrush is treated with antifungal medicines that are available as pessaries, intravaginal creams or capsules. Pessaries and intravaginal creams A pessary is a pill that you insert into your vagina using a special applicator.
The main types used to treat thrush are: clotrimazole — available over the counter from pharmacies econazole, miconazole and fenticonazole — available on prescription Over-the-counter pessaries are usually used daily for one to six days.
Capsules If you would prefer not to use pessaries or intravaginal cream, antifungal capsules are available. The main types used to treat thrush are: fluconazole — available over the counter from pharmacies itraconazole — available on prescription Over-the-counter thrush capsules usually come as a single dose. Skin creams If the skin around the entrance to your vagina vulva is also sore or itchy, you may find it helpful to use an antifungal skin cream in addition to one of the treatments above.
Creams containing clotrimazole can be bought over the counter from pharmacies. They're available in packs that also include antifungal pessaries, intravaginal cream or capsules. This is commonly known as thrush, thrush infection or candida. If you think you may have thrush, a test can be done at your GP practice, your local sexual health service or in some pharmacies.
If you do have a test, a doctor or nurse may:. You may also be asked to take this swab yourself. You may be given antifungal cream to apply to the genital area, vaginal pessaries tablets that you put into your vagina , oral pills or a combination. You can buy some antifungal treatments from a pharmacy. The pharmacist will answer any questions and explain how to use the treatment. Some antifungal products can weaken latex condoms, diaphragms and caps. So avoid sex while undergoing treatment if this is your method of contraception.
Some people find that different triggers cause vaginal thrush.
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