What Are the Oral Treatments for a Yeast Infection?

When most people talk about yeast infections they are referring to those vaginal in nature. However, yeast infections can affect several different parts of the body, including the mouth, skin and blood. They can be treated topically, intravenously or with oral medications.

Thrush

• Thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth. It is most common among infants, but children and adults can also suffer from this condition. Untreated thrush can also lead to a yeast infection of the throat and esophagus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), oral antifungal treatments for thrush are available in the form of drops (for infants), lozenges, mouth rinses and pills.

Skin Yeast Infection

• Tinea versicolor is a yeast infection on the surface of the skin. It appears as white spots or patches on tanned skin or as pink or tan spots or patches on untanned skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this type of yeast infection is most common among teenagers and young adults. It is often treated with a topical antifungal medication but can also be treated with an oral antifungal medication, such as ketoconazole.

Vaginal Yeast Infection

• Vaginal yeast infections are a common problem for women, particularly those who are sexually active. According to the CDC, the most common treatments for vaginal yeast infections are topical antifungal creams or antifungal suppositories. Oral antifungal medications, such as fluconazole, can also be given in a single dose.

Invasive Yeast Infection

• An invasive yeast infection occurs when yeast infects the blood, which brings the infection to other organs in the body. According to the CDC, invasive yeast infections are rare among healthy people. Those who have weakened immune systems or who have been hospitalized for an extended period of time are more likely to develop this condition. It can be treated intravenously or with oral medications such as fluconazole or voriconazole.

Warning

• Never take an oral antifungal medication without a prescription from your doctor, as it can interact negatively with other drugs. The CDC recommends that pregnant women, or women who are trying to become pregnant, should avoid taking oral antifungal medications, as they may cause damage to a developing fetus.