Oral thrush

[VanillaCoffee]

Hello! I need some advice for this. I'm using Fostair, I really think it's from that inhaler. I have some white and red spots on my throat, nothing on my tongue yet. I have a few questions because this never happened before.

Is oral thrush contagious? I'm afraid because I don't want to give it to my partner. Should I get some antibiotics from my family doctor everytime this happens or does it go away on its own? What can I do to avoid it, will rising my mouth with water and salt help? After using my inhaler I brush my teeth and rinse my mouth, but there are a few times where I have to use it at work or outside and I can't really take care of this after.

[GarryS]

I always gargle with water after using my inhaler. I have had one episode of oral thrush some years back. Was prescribed a liquid medication to get rid of it: no problems since.

[Troilus]

See your GP Vanilla coffee. He can prescribe some stuff called Nystatin that will get rid of it. You can also buy Daktarin oral thrush gel over the counter, but there isn’t much in a tube.

You are right it is because of your inhaler and you are doing the right thing by rinsing your mouth after use. When out and about I use a sugar free chewing gum if I need to take an inhaler.

And no, it is not usually contagious (usually only if someone is immunocomprimised.)

[ReedB]

Hi, oral thrush isn't contagious and very treatable so make an appointment with your GP. Antibiotics will make it worse you need Nystatin or even fluconozol. Make sure you're using a spacer with your Fostair and definitely keep rinsing out your mouth when you can .

[JazzySalmon]

My doctor recommended using a mouthwash and taking a drink of something acidic after using my inhaler. I found that only chlorhexadine mouthwash (a medicated mouthwash) worked for me, and I take a drink of water because I don't really drink juice. A good brush of my tongue in addition to this takes care of it just fine.

Antibiotics seems a bit much to me for a first effort as they have much bigger effects on the body. Trying a less invasive local treatment first would definitely be worth it for mild thrush, especially when caused by a treatment you must use every day. It works very quickly.

[crille]

Hi,

If you need antibiotics, only your Doctor can tell. But to prevent oral thrush, you need to rinse your mouth very well after each application. Your doctor might have other suggestions as well. Good luck!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, some other good advice here. I can't see that antibiotics are going to help - they target bacterial infections and thrush is a fungal infection, not a bacterial one. I agree that you should go for a local treatment first.

I'm wondering if it's something you could ask a pharmacist about first as they've recently started to treat a range of minor issues without needing a GP.

Are you using the MDI (spray) version of Fostair or the dry powder? If you use the spray version, are you using a spacer? That can help more medication get into the lungs where it's needed, rather than the mouth and throat where it's not, and cut down on thrush.

[ChrissieMons]

All good advice. The easiest was given to me years ago by an asthma nurse: rinse thoroughly, gargle once and swallow twice. When you're out, find some water and just swallow if gargling might feel a bit odd in public. I use Fostair and it works for me.

[Janny1]

Hi.I always clean my teeth and tongue after using my inhaler. I have had issues with oral thrush but always felt it was due to taking oral antibiotics at the time and generally being unwell. I have used probiotic drinks which have helped as it helps your gut after taking the above.

[Patk1]

I use oral daktarin.some people use nystatin.iy is a fungal infection likely caused by steroid inhaler always rinse mouth after inhaler.do go see chemist to stop it getting worse

[DannyQ]

Hi, I use Fostair 100/6 and used to suffer from thrush in my throat, but what I've found works for me is having two or three teaspoons of greek yoghurt a day which keeps the thrush away, I will state it works for me but doesn't mean it will work for yourself, u hope this helps