Wash your hands before and after using the ointment, gel or liquid. Ointment, gel or liquid for mouth ulcers If your baby's tongue has a white coating that wipes off easily, or disappears between feeds, this is probably just milk coating it. This is completely harmless, and you don't need to worry about speaking to your doctor or pharmacist unless you're concerned.

Make sure you see your GP if you don't see any improvement after using the oral gel for one week, if your oral thrush is severe or if you have pain when swallowing.The patient’s GP, district nurse or specialist nurse can provide anti-viral treatment. You can also support the patient by encouraging good fluid intake, changing the toothbrush regularly , keeping the mouth moist and giving painkillers if appropriate. Bad breath (halitosis) Oral thrush is common in both adults & children. Read our top tips for helping to prevent & treat this condition Have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, HIV, or those on certain treatments, such as steroid treatment, or chemotherapy, as well as some treatments for inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis

Apply gel to dry lips after brushing teeth. Petroleum gel such as Vaseline shouldn’t be used in patients having oxygen therapy as this is a fire hazard. Only use chlorhexidine lozenges and sore throat spray for a short time. Do not keep using them continuously. Your baby is more at risk of oral thrush if they have had a recent course of antibiotics, or if you’re breastfeeding and have taken antibiotics yourself. It can also occur spontaneously because babies' immune systems are less developed than adults. If your baby gets thrush regularly, it's a good idea to see your GP to make sure there's no underlying reason for it. If you forget to use your chlorhexidine skin treatment, that’s okay. Just start your routine again after the missed treatment and carry on as before.If you have any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign of a more serious infection. Stop using chlorhexidine sore throat treatments and speak to a doctor if you: The symptoms of thrush in adults can be similar to those in children, but you may only have red, sore patches on the inside surface (mucosa) of your mouth. Eating and drinking can become painful or uncomfortable with oral thrush. You may also find your sense of taste changes slightly. Mouth care is a very important aspect of palliative care in all care settings. When they're not managed, mouth problems can affect: Toothpaste can stop Corsodyl working. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and wait 5 minutes after brushing your teeth before using Corsodyl. You can also use the gel at a different time of day. Wash your hands before and after using chlorhexidine. Keep it away from your eyes and ears. If chlorhexidine gets into your eyes or ears, rinse well with water. Dosage and how to use lozenges

Common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and do not last long. If your baby is having difficulty feeding, or appears uncomfortable with signs of thrush, they may need some simple treatment. If your child is over four months old, speak to your pharmacist who may recommend an oral gel if they judge that treatment is necessary. Towards the end of life, people often become less interested in eating and drinking. If the patient’s mouth becomes dry, you can moisten it to keep them comfortable. Temporary staining of the teeth and tongue may occur. See possible side effects for more information To avoid using too much by accident, always put the gel, ointment or liquid onto your finger or a cotton bud. Do not squeeze it straight into your mouth.Cold sores (herpes simplex) are also common when someone's unwell. A patient can only get cold sores if they already have the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores can happen when a patient is feeling run-down or has another infection. Pour 10ml into the measuring cup. Rinse the mouthwash around your mouth for about 1 minute. Spit out the mouthwash, do not swallow it. There are no common side effects with chlorhexidine skin treatments. However, in rare cases, some people may get red, itchy or irritated skin. It may be because you are using too much lotion or cream where you have folds or creases in your skin, such as around your groin.