Oral Thrush Treatment Online
Creamy white patches, soreness, and a strange taste can make oral thrush difficult to ignore. Your Doctors Online (YDO) gives you a way to have it assessed from home, with board-certified doctors available 24/7 to review your symptoms and photos. When thrush treatment is appropriate, your doctor can prescribe an antifungal for you to pick up at your chosen pharmacy.
How to get oral thrush treatment online
Talk to a board-certified doctor about oral thrush and get treated without leaving home.
1
Describe your issue
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- Oral and Dental hygiene
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- STD
- UTI
- Skin
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2
Chat with a doctor
Connect with a board-certified doctor. You can chat, send pictures and videos.
Hi Dr. Nicole, I have white patches on my tongue. Is it oral thrush?
3
Get online prescription
Our online doctors can help you with your medical issues and give you prescriptions.
Prescription
- Lozenges (Clotrimazole) 10mg
- Take by mouth and slowly dissolve five times a day for fourteen days.
Send Prescription
What are the treatment options for oral thrush?
Most cases of oral thrush are treated with an antifungal medicine used inside the mouth. The treatment you need depends on how severe the infection is and whether it has come back before.
- Mild to moderate thrush: An antifungal lozenge, liquid, or tablet used in the mouth for 7 to 14 days is usually enough.
- Thrush that does not clear or keeps coming back: You may need an antifungal medicine taken by mouth instead.
- If you use a steroid inhaler: Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after each use to help prevent thrush from returning.
Finish the full course of treatment even if the white patches clear up sooner. Stopping treatment early can allow the infection to come back.
Pain or difficulty swallowing can mean the infection has spread beyond the mouth and needs medical assessment. Trouble breathing or being unable to swallow requires urgent care.
What oral thrush medications can we prescribe online?
After a consultation, our doctors can send an online prescription for any of the antifungals below to the pharmacy you choose when it is medically appropriate.
Antifungal
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Antifungal
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Learn More What is oral thrush and what causes it?
Oral thrush, also called oral candidiasis, is a yeast infection in the mouth caused by Candida. Candida normally lives in the mouth without causing problems, but when it grows too much, it can cause creamy white patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, or other parts of the mouth.
In healthy adults, oral thrush is uncommon, but certain factors can make it more likely:
- Antibiotics: They can reduce the bacteria that normally help keep Candida under control.
- Steroid inhalers: Steroid residue left in the mouth can allow Candida to grow.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar can increase the risk of thrush.
- Dentures: Poorly fitting or poorly cleaned dentures can allow Candida to build up.
- Dry mouth: Reduced saliva removes some of the mouth’s natural protection against yeast.
- Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of oral thrush.
- A weakened immune system: Conditions or treatments that weaken the immune system can make thrush more likely.
Oral thrush is also common in newborns, especially during the first month of life.
What are the symptoms of oral thrush?
The most common sign of oral thrush is creamy white patches in the mouth, usually on the tongue or inside the cheeks. They can also appear on the gums or roof of the mouth and may bleed a little if you brush or scrape them.
You may also notice:
- Soreness or a burning feeling in your mouth
- Food tasting different or losing your sense of taste
- A cotton-like feeling in your mouth
- Cracks or soreness at the corners of your mouth
- Red, sore areas under dentures
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
Some people have mild thrush without noticeable symptoms. Talk to a doctor if swallowing is painful or if you have a weakened immune system, are undergoing chemotherapy, or take medicines that suppress your immune system.
Can babies and children get oral thrush?
Yes. Oral thrush is common in babies and occurs most often during the first month of life. Look for white patches on the tongue or inside the cheeks that do not wipe away. Some babies may also be fussy during feeds or feed less than usual.
- Breastfeeding: Thrush can pass between a baby’s mouth and the mother’s nipples, so both may need treatment.
- Milk residue: Milk usually wipes away, while thrush patches stay in place.
- Treatment: Do not use leftover adult medication. Babies need treatment suited to their age and weight.
A doctor can assess your baby’s symptoms and prescribe treatment when appropriate.
FAQs about oral thrush treatment online
What is the strongest medication for oral thrush?
There is no single strongest treatment for oral thrush. When thrush does not clear with a medicine used in the mouth, a doctor may prescribe an antifungal taken by mouth instead. Fluconazole is usually prescribed as 200mg on the first day, followed by 100mg once daily for at least two weeks. Itraconazole oral solution is another option, taken as 200mg daily for one to two weeks. Your doctor will choose the right medicine based on your symptoms, medical history, and other medications.
What kills oral thrush in the mouth?
Oral thrush in the mouth can be treated with antifungal medications such as lozenges, tablets, and liquids like Nystatin antifungal mouthwash.
How long does oral thrush last without treatment?
With treatment, the white patches usually begin to clear within a few days, although the full course takes 7 to 14 days. Without treatment, thrush can persist, keep coming back, or spread beyond the mouth, which is harder to treat and can make swallowing painful. Talk to a doctor rather than waiting for it to clear on its own.
Can online doctors diagnose oral thrush?
Yes, online doctors can diagnose oral thrush by discussing your medical condition, history, and the current medications you are taking. They will then advise you on the appropriate medicine to effectively treat your medical issue.
What makes oral thrush worse?
Oral thrush can be aggravated if you are taking medications such as prednisone, inhaled corticosteroids, or antibiotics, which can disrupt the natural balance of microorganisms in your mouth. Consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis, review your medical history, and discuss your current medications. If you also have a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics online when appropriate.
Can stress cause oral thrush?
Stress does not directly cause oral thrush. It can make thrush more likely if it leads to poor oral hygiene, a poor diet, or less attention to conditions like diabetes. Any of these can allow Candida to grow too much.
Should I brush my teeth with oral thrush?
Yes, it is important to take good care of your oral hygiene for faster results. It reduces the risk of infection getting worse. Discuss with your healthcare provider the choice of toothpaste and other oral hygiene options during an oral thrush infection.
Should I brush my tongue if I have oral thrush?
Yes, you can brush your tongue alongside taking the medication course for fungal removal. Both will prevent it from growing again.
Can oral thrush be a symptom of something else?
Sometimes. Oral thrush is uncommon in healthy adults, so thrush with no clear cause can be an early sign of diabetes, HIV, or another condition that affects the immune system. It is also common during cancer treatment and in people taking steroids. A doctor can review your medical history and arrange testing if needed.
What can be misdiagnosed as thrush?
Several mouth conditions can look like thrush. Oral hairy leukoplakia, which is linked to the Epstein-Barr virus, also causes white patches in the mouth. Leukoplakia, lichen planus, and irritation from a tooth or denture can look similar too, and in babies, milk residue is often mistaken for thrush. What sets thrush apart is that the patches can usually be wiped away, leaving a red area underneath. A swab test can confirm the diagnosis.
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