Thrush is a common yeast infection that affects men and women. It's usually harmless but it can be uncomfortable and keep coming back. It is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Check if you have thrush Thrush symptoms in women white vaginal discharge (like cottage cheese), which does not usually smell

itching and irritation around the vagina

soreness and stinging during sex or when you pee Thrush symptoms in men irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskin

a white discharge (like cottage cheese)

an unpleasant smell

difficulty pulling back the foreskin Thrush can affect other areas of skin, such as the armpits, groin and between the fingers. This usually causes a red, itchy or painful rash that scales over with white or yellow discharge. The rash may not be so obvious on darker skin. Sometimes thrush causes no symptoms at all.

See what thrush looks like on the vagina, penis and skin Thrush on the penis Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/608488/view Thrush in the vagina Credit: BIOPHOTO ASSOCIATES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/295797/view Thrush on the skin Credit: DermPics/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/616916/view

Non-urgent advice: See a GP or go to a sexual health clinic if: you have the symptoms of thrush for the first time

you're under 16 or over 60

your thrush keeps coming back (more than twice in 6 months)

treatment has not worked

you're pregnant or breastfeeding

you have thrush and a weakened immune system – for example, because of diabetes, HIV or chemotherapy Information: Coronavirus update: how to contact a GP It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery: visit their website

use the NHS App

call them Find out about using the NHS during coronavirus Information: Sexual health clinics can help with thrush Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system. Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment. They'll often get test results quicker than GP practices. During coronavirus, call a sexual health clinic if you need help or advice. Only go to a clinic if you’ve been told to. Find a sexual health clinic Important It's important to get thrush in men diagnosed to rule out things like balanitis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). What happens at your appointment Your GP or sexual health clinic will want to confirm it's thrush and rule out other infections. You'll be asked about your symptoms. If it's not clear it's thrush: a doctor or nurse may look at your vagina or penis

a cotton bud may be wiped over the discharge to test for other infections

Thrush treatment You'll usually need antifungal medicine to get rid of thrush. This can be a tablet you take, a tablet you insert into your vagina (pessary) or a cream to relieve the irritation. Thrush should clear up within a week, after 1 dose of medicine or using the cream daily. You do not need to treat partners unless they have symptoms. Recurring thrush You might need to take treatment for longer (for up to 6 months) if you keep getting thrush (you get it more than twice in 6 months). Your GP or sexual health clinic can help identify if something is causing your thrush, such as your period or sex. They'll recommend how often you should use treatment.

A pharmacist can help with thrush You can buy antifungal medicine from pharmacies if you have had thrush diagnosed in the past and you know the symptoms. A pharmacist can recommend the best treatment for you. Ask if they have a private area to talk if you're embarrassed. You should not use antifungal medicine more than twice in 6 months without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Find a pharmacy

Things you can do yourself to ease discomfort and prevent thrush returning Do use water and emollient (like E45 cream) instead of soap to wash the affected area

dry properly after washing

wear cotton underwear

take showers instead of baths

avoid sex until thrush has cleared up – if you do have sex, use a condom to help stop it spreading Important Antifungal creams can damage condoms and diaphragms. This means your contraception might not work. Don’t do not use soaps or shower gels

do not use douches or deodorants on your vagina or penis

do not wear tight underwear or tights

What causes thrush Thrush is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can be triggered by sex and sometimes passed on through sex. Thrush is caused by a fungus called candida that is normally harmless. Thrush tends to grow in warm, moist conditions and develops if the balance of bacteria changes. This can happen if: your skin is irritated or damaged

you're taking antibiotics

you have poorly controlled diabetes

you have a weakened immune system (for example, because of HIV or chemotherapy)

you have been through the menopause

you're pregnant