Oral thrush is a mycosis of the mouth caused by a species of fungus called candida albicans. These organisms are usually present in most people, so thrush is not contagious. However, the symptoms may be pretty unpleasant, so it’s best to treat it as soon as possible.
During pregnancy, thrush may be especially worrying since you might think that taking any medications will put your baby in danger. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case, as anti-fungal medications have been shown to be relatively safe for treatment of pregnant women. It’s important to treat thrush before delivering the baby, as yeast infections may spread from mother to newborn during delivey.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes and symptoms of oral thrush, with a focus on the best treatments for thrush during pregnancy.
Causes
Candida Albicans accounts for more than 50% of the oral candidiasis, and it’s the main 
pathogen – the infecting organism – involved in oral thrush.
This organism is extremely common, most people having it in their mouth without showing any thrush symptoms. The real problem comes when this organism grows to disproportionate numbers – a process known as candida overgrowth. This may be caused by a variety of factors, from a course of antibiotics to an imbalanced diet to bad oral hygiene. Several diseases also cause an increase in the population of candida albicans, such as AIDS, cancer, vaginal yeast infections and diabetes mellitus.
An important risk in pregnant women is getting vaginal yeast. This condition has been shown to increase the candida population in the mouth, thereby causing oral thrush.
Symptoms
Regardless of the cause, this mycosis usually shows the same common symptoms: creamy white patches in the mouth, gums, tonsils and throat, swelling of the oral tissue and sometimes lesions of the mouth.
While most of the times these ugly patches are the only symptoms, occasionally more severe signs might appear, depending on how bad the infection is. A blistering sensation in the mouth, loss of taste, difficulty swallowing (if the infection is localized in the throat) and hoarseness (if the trachea and the larynx are infected) are all possible signs of oral thrush.
Left untreated, the candida in the mouth may move to other regions of the body, leading to even worse conditions such as infections of the lungs or the intestines. However, such cases are rare and usually happen to those whose immune systems are weakened and who neglect the initial symptoms.
Treatment during pregnancy
Oral thrush is usually treated with anti-fungal medication, either gel/drops, or pills. Gels and drops are applied directly on the mouth, four times a day for a week, and pills are taken daily, for a week or more. While locally-applied medication is most commonly prescribed, pills are given to patients with more severe cases of thrush.
Many women might be afraid to take any medication during pregnancy, fearing that their baby may be in danger. However, anti-fungal medications have no adverse effects on the fetus if used for short periods of time, such is usually the case with treating thrush.
What you really need to do if you get thrush is consult your doctor. He/she will establish the correct treatment for your particular case, taking into account any other medical conditions you might have.
Even though anti-fungal medication doesn’t affect the baby, it’s important to know that it may interact with other types of medication that you might be taking during pregnancy, that’s why it’s best to consult a specialist before taking any thrush medication.
There’s also the alternative of using home remedies. They’re less likely to interact with other treatments, and they may have positive results, if applied correctly.
Home remedies – the safest way to treat thrush during pregnancy
Some essential oils have been shown to kill candida albicans and lower the spread of thrush. The most commonly-used is coconut oil. You’ll have to apply extra-virgin coconut oil on the affected areas with a cotton swab, usually 2-4 times a day, until you’re happy with the results.
Another great home remedy is salt. Add one tablespoon of salt to one cup of water and use the mixture to gargle thoroughly. Repeat a few times a day for several days, until the symptoms are gone.
Other home remedies include yogurt, baking soda and apple cider vinegar. They’re all applied locally, and yogurt and apple cider vinegar may also be consumed, either alone or mixed with other ingredients.
Conclusion
If you’re pregnant and you’ve got thrush, don’t panic: the condition is relatively easy to cure, and the treatment will most likely not have any negative effects on your baby. Consult your doctor and follow the prescribed treatment, and don’t ignore home-remedies, either – they may be pretty efficient, and they’re safe, too.
Resources
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/thrush-during-pregnancy-the-facts-20130513-2jhx6
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1101.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=137
https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/nystatin.html
https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/fluconazole.html
https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/miconazole-topical.html