Antibiotics and now I think I have thrush

[sunflowersinthesky]

Hi, I've been on strong antibiotics for a respiratory infection for a week and I think I've now got thrush. Not sure, because I've never had it before, but I've looked at the NHS site and I have the symptoms.

Do I need to see a doctor, or can I get something from the pharmacist instead?

Is there anything I can do that will help in the meantime?

Thanks

You can buy Canesten over the counter. Thrush usually is very itchy, sore, and has a thick white discharge.

Thanks Lynne

Is there any food/drink I should be avoiding at the moment?

Discharge with thrush is classically like a thick, cottage cheesy consistency. Not particularly smelly but itchy and unpleasant.

Stick to natural fabrics - cotton underwear, synthetics aren’t breathable and so the area will overheat and sweat, increasing the ideal environmental conditions for thrush to thrive.

Avoid washing the affected area with perfumed products (shower gels, soaps etc). They are irritating and affect skin’s flora. Same with bubble bath etc.

Live yogurts and things like kefir can help to repopulate your gut with ‘good’ bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Some people suggest natural yogurt on the area too for similar reasons but I don’t know whether that works or if it is just soothing and cool on very irritated skin.

You can buy a single dose oral tablet for thrush, over the counter, it is pretty effective. The drug is called Fluconazole. You don’t need the branded ‘canesten’ version, a generic own brand will contain the same active ingredient. It’s very effective.

Great information, thanks very much - the tablet sounds a good idea, I know what to ask for now. I guess the own brand one will have the benefit of being cheaper as well, I don't like paying extra just for a brand name.

I'll get some live yogurt drink as well, we usually have some in the fridge but typically we have run out.

I had thrush after antibiotics for a water infection earlier this year. Canestan worked well for me

I will try a variety of your suggestions, thank you.