Steroid Inhalers & Oral Thrush - Asthma Message Board

humptydoodle · 02-08-2003, 12:02 PM

Hello
Does anyone have any tips on how to avoid oral thrush, caused by using steroid inhalers? I always take a drink after using inhalers, to get rid of any residue. A couple of weeks ago I had to get Diflucan for it as there was thrush coating my vocal cords! My voice sounds like I smoke 20 a day, even though I'm a non smoker. Any tips gratefully received.

Humptydoodle

laci · 02-08-2003, 02:58 PM

Always rinse out your mouth (spit out water don't swallow) after using steroid inhalers.
My throat gets really raspy in the evening after having taken 2 doses of Advair. I have on hand Vitamin C with zinc cough drops (which I use for my VCD in the past). They were recommended to me by my allergist.

charleyhorse · 02-08-2003, 09:12 PM

Couple other things you might try. I find it helpful to not just rinse, but brush my teeth right after using the inhaler. In addition to the med from the dr if I get thrush, I take acidophilus - I break open the capsule and dump the contents onto my tongue, let it sort of disolve there and then swallow it. No kidding -it feels as disgusting as it sounds, but a naturpath suggested it and it works really well for me. Doesn't hurt anyway.

Barb

wrin · 02-09-2003, 02:54 PM

Like the other two said, try to make sure to clean out your mouth really well -- going at your tongue with a scraper or toothbrush tends to work really well too.

I guess I've gotten really lucky, my only experiences with oral thrush weren't bad enough to need medication.