How to Treat Yeast Infections
A yeast infection or candidiasis, is an infection that is caused by an overgrowth of fungus in warm, moist parts of the body such as the mouth, armpit, and vagina. There are several types of yeast infections including a yeast infection of the mouth, vaginal yeast infections, and penile yeast infections. A yeast infection of the mouth is commonly known as thrush and is caused by candida fungus. Symptoms include patches of white bumps, dry mouth, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and lack of appetite. Vaginal yeast infections, which are the most common type, is called vulvovaginal candidiasis and obviously only afflicts women. Symptoms include vaginal itching, burning, inflammation, redness, irritation, painful urination, painful sexual intercourse, and a thick white or gray cottage cheese like discharge. The third type of yeast infection is penile yeast infections. This is basically a man’s version of a yeast infection and is not very common. Symptoms include a white clumpy discharge, itching, redness, blisters, and irritation on the head of the penis.
This type of infection can truly test the sanity of any man or woman and therefore, many try to get rid of yeast infection as quickly as possible. But what can be done to treat yeast infection? What yeast infection remedy works the best? Is there really a yeast infection cure or will it continue to come back? These are all questions that many people are faced with when trying to get rid of yeast infection. So, let’s begin by answering a few of these questions…
What can be done to treat yeast infection?
There are several various yeast infection treatment options available to both men and women. There are natural, home rememdies, over the counter medications, doctor prescribed medications, and preventative measures. Below is a comprehensive list of each of these methods used to treat yeast infection.
NATURAL HOME REMEDIES:
1. Plain yogurt with active cultures — It is extremely important to make sure you buy plain yogurt because sugar feeds the bacteria that causes yeast infections and flavored yogurt contains a lot of sugar. Yogurt can be used both internally and externally. Eating the yogurt will help aid your stomach in digestion and will reduce the amount of yeast that your body makes. To use it externally, or topically, dip a tampon in the yogurt and insert it into the vagina. Or simply rub some of the yogurt on the outside of the vagina. For a man, just rub a little of the yogurt on the penis. However, leaving the yogurt on for too long will have the opposite of the desired effect so be sure to remove the yogurt after a few hours.
2. Garlic — Garlic is a miracle herb that has so many health benefits, including fighting off a yeast infection. Purchase some garlic tabs and insert them into the vagina or eat them every couple of hours to get instant relief. For men, it would be easier to use this treatment orally. Just be sure that the garlic tabs you purchase are composed of only natural and pure ingredients.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar — Again, this is another yeast infection cure that can be used both internally and externally. Drinking it doesn’t taste great but is effective. Using it externally is more effective but if applied directly to the skin, it will burn! Therefore, add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a full tub of water and soak in the bath for 30 minutes, will provide soothing relief.
4. Water — Many people don’t consider this a yeast infection remedy but it truly is the best medicine. Drinking 8 or more 8 ounce glasses of water every day will cause you to urinate more frequently. This increased urination will flush out your system and the yeast.
5. Tea Tree Oil — This can be purchased at many supermarkets and health food stores. Simply insert a small amount of this oil into the vagina to get relief. For men, rub some of the oil onto the penis.
OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS
Unfortunately, natural home remedies don’t always work so in addition to the natural home remedies listed above, there are over the counter medications available to treat yeast infection. Many of them are creams that are vaginally inserted for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days. Here is a list of some of the most popular and effective over the counter medications:
1. Monistat
2. Vagisil
3. Femstat
4. Mycelex
5. Gyne-Lotrimin
Although these medications are marketed for women to use vaginally, they can also be purchased by men and just applied directly to the penis. The results will be the same.
DOCTOR PRESCRIBED MEDICATION
For anyone who has used over the counter medication with no success, the next step would be to consult your doctor to determine if a prescription medication needs to be used or if the persistent yeast infection is really something more serious. Here is three of the most common doctor prescribed yeast infection treatments:
1. Nystatin – This is a tablet that is inserted into the vagina once a day until symptoms subside.
2. Diflucan – This is an oral antifungal medication that is a vaginal yeast infection cure. Simply taking one dose orally should clear up all symptoms.
3. Nizoral – This is similar to Diflucan and is taken in the same manner.
Similar to over the counter medications, a doctor can prescribe many of the same medications to a man as a woman.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES:
Many women usually wait until after they get a yeast infection to start treating it. But, prevention is the best medicine and there are several things that you can do to prevent getting a yeast infection in the first place.
1. Change your wardrobe — Yeast flourishes in dark, warm, moist places so avoid wearing tight clothes such as tight jeans, underwear, and pantyhose that fosters an environment conducive to yeast. Also, wear only cotton underwear because they are breathable and won’t hold in moisture or heat.
2.. Change your diet — Eating sugary foods is like miracle grow for yeast, so try to avoid them as much as possible while trying to get rid of yeast infection.
3. Drink lots of water — Water is the best way to prevent getting a lot of different illnesses, especially yeast infections. As mentioned above, drinking plenty of water will cause you to urinate more which will flush out your system and prevent yeast from growing.
4. Dry yourself thoroughly — After showering or swimming, be sure to completely dry your vaginal or groin area. This will prevent moisture which is a key ingredient in growing yeast.
5. Don’t Douche — Douching washes away the natural lubricants found in the vagina leaving it susceptible to all sorts of infections, including yeast infections.
6. Practice Safe Sex — Yeast infections are contagious! If you have sex with someone who has a yeast infection, you can catch it and it can be a vicious cycle of passing it back and forth. Always practice safe sex. Men especially because this is the number one cause of penile yeast infections — contracting it from a sexual partner.
What yeast infection remedy works the best?
There is no one right answer to this question. Every person is different and what might work for one person may not for another. Therefore, it is imperative that if you suspect a yeast infection, that you consult with your doctor before beginning any type of treatment, natural or otherwise.
Is there really a yeast infection cure or will it continue to come back?
There isn’t a single magic cure for yeast infections but with a combination of the treatments discussed above, it will go away.