Home Remedies For Vaginal Yeast Infections
An internet search for home remedies for vaginal yeast infections can lead you down a rabbit hole. But its important to know that things like yogurt or other probiotic-rich foods, boric acid, douching and essential oils wont get rid of your yeast infection. While probiotics can help promote gut health, they cant fight off a fungal infection. And things like boric acid, douching and certain essential oils can be irritating to the sensitive skin in your vaginal area and do more harm than good.
Final Thoughts On Yeast Infection Treatments
Yeast infections are common. Many of the remedies here derived from folk medicine. Some have scientific studies backing their effectiveness with promising results. Most of all, theyre natural options that pose little to no health risk.
Women can take precautions to lower their chances of another infection, but theyre not foolproof. Should an infection occur again, you can try one or more of the treatments. If your symptoms dont clear up after seven to fourteen days, you should consult your doctor.
Yeast Infection Of The Mouth
Picture of a person with oral candidiasis , showing their tongue.
A mouth yeast infection can be a scary thing. Technically, the term is thrush and happens mostly in infants and babies. Adults can get a mouth yeast infection though, so it’s important to know how to cure it as fast as possible.
There are many triggers that can cause a mouth yeast infection.
Often people who suffer from asthma and use inhalers will get a mouth yeast infection. The steroids in the inhaler medication can bring about a mouth yeast infection very easily. That’s why it’s so important to rinse after using an inhaler. Symptoms of a mouth yeast infection include white patchy sores on the mouth that may bleed if they are scraped or tongued. They are usually very uncomfortable and can look pretty gross.
A mouth yeast infection in adults can also be a symptom of a weak immune system so watch out for that. For example, people who have HIV have a much higher probability of developing a mouth yeast infection or thrush. Having a dry mouth can lead to thrush as well. The condition opens your mouth tissue up to bacteria and makes it more vulnerable.
Diabetes causes a mouth yeast infection as well. Candida or Yeast thrives off of sugars and a diabetic will have higher sugar levels in their blood so it only follows that they are more vulnerable to the condition.
Pregnancy can also bring on a mouth yeast infection because of changes in hormonal levels.
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How Long Does A Yeast Infection Last
Yeast infections vary in both severity and the amount of time it takes to beat them. Some yeast infections subside on their own with no intervention. On average, a yeast infection usually will clear up after a few days with natural supplements and home remedies.
Severe or stubborn yeast infections could require doctor intervention and medication and can last much longer. However, theres a lot you can do to help ease your symptoms and get rid of your yeast infection fast.
Stop Feeding The Yeast
Yeast has two different forms which makes it a dimorphic organism. And the conditions the yeast lives in can change it from one form to another. When yeast is benign, its a single celled organism that lives fairly peacefully alongside bacteria. In this form, it doesnt pose much harm to your dog. But sometimes yeast is allowed to grow out of control. This happens when there arent enough gut bacteria to compete with it. This can happen after antibiotic use, but there are other common causes .
When yeast doesnt have to compete with other organisms for resources, it becomes a super yeast! It changes from a single cell structure to a larger and more complex multi-cellular fungus. When this happens, the yeast needs more and more food and it gobbles everything up around it. This aggressive super-yeast releases over 60 different toxins that can travel anywhere in the body. These toxins irritate the gut lining and cause leaky gut. The yeast can then escape through the holes in the digestive tract and travel to your dogs organs.
So the first step to stop yeast infections is to stop feeding it! There are two common ways you can unknowingly feed unwanted dog yeast infection:
Yeast Loves Starch and Sugar
Yeast Loves Heavy Metals
Heavy metals can get into your dog in several ways:
So if you want to kill a dog yeast infection, you have to reduce the number of heavy metals. Here are some things that will help:
A Note About Yeast-Die-Off
The symptoms of yeast die-off can include:
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Effective Ways To Treat A Yeast Infection
Right off the bat, Dr. Goebel spots a problem with treating yeastinfections at home. The biggest issue is that self-diagnosis of yeastinfections is not very accurate, especially if you havent had one before, shesays.
Bacterial infections, allergic reactions and some skin conditions can cause similar symptoms, so its important to have a doctor confirm your diagnosis.
What if youve had yeast infections before, and theres nodoubt what youre dealing with? Dr. Goebel says your best bet is actual yeastinfection medication:
- Fluconazole is a prescription pill thatcan treat most yeast infections with a single dose, though it might take a fewdays for symptoms to clear up.
- Miconazole is an over-the-counter topicalcream. It comes in a variety of formulations, including one-day, three-day andseven-day options. The cream can be a little messy, but it can also bringfaster itch relief than oral fluconazole does, she says.
How Can I Prevent Future Yeast Infections
The best way to reduce your risk of getting a yeast infection is to avoid things that promote the growth of yeast. Heres how:
- Keep the vaginal area clean and dry. After showering, dry the area thoroughly. Always remove wet swimsuits and exercise clothes right away and change into cotton pants without underwear. Limit the amount of time you spend in hot tubs or very hot baths.
- Let the area breathe. Wear cotton, not nylon, underwear and avoid tights and pantyhose without a cotton lining, as well as tight pants. Consider not wearing underwear during sleep to allow some airflow.
- Watch your sugar intake, including alcohol! Sugar is the main food source for yeast.
- Take probiotics, especially if you are taking antibiotics. Probiotics, found in cultured foods like yogurt and especially in Activia, help restore your normal vaginal bacteria.
- Finally, always avoid douches, feminine sprays, deodorant tampons, and even bubble baths, which may contain chemicals that can be irritating.
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How To Cure A Yeast Infection At Home Fast
To cure a yeast infection at home fast:
For more info, see our natural and simple protocol: how to cure a yeast infection.
One last thing
Knowing how to get rid of a yeast infection naturally is a matter of knowledge knowing what candida and yeast infections are, what may cause them, and knowing how your body responds to various foods, supplements or remedies. It is a journey to a better health, and we are here for you !
If you have any questions, or would like to see more info on this page, please let us know and well do the best we can to help.
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How To Treat Vaginal Yeast Infections
1. Keep Your Skin Clean and Dry
Make sure to wash the genital area with soap every day and dry off the area well after showering, since fungi are most commonly found in moist environments . When you go to the bathroom, you can decrease the risk for spreading germs by wiping from front to back .
Following sexual intercourse, make sure to wash the genital area. Its possible to spread yeast infections during sex from person to person, and even though women are much more likely to carry yeast infections, men can develop yeast infections in the genital area too. Always practice safe sex by using condoms, and abstain from sex altogether if you or your partner have an active infection.
2. Wear Clean Clothes
Make sure to wear clean underwear and, ideally, choose cotton underwear or another breathable fabric. Allowing air to reach your genitals helps stop moisture and warmth from developing, which worsens yeast growth.
You might also want to wear looser-fitting clothes and avoid stockings, tights or bathing suits if youre prone to getting infections since these all increase body heat and retain moisture. When you do wear a bathing suit, try not to stay in one for too many hours, especially if the suit is wet or dirty.
3. Boost Your Immune System with a Nutrient-Rich Diet and Probiotics
4. Rule Out Allergies
5. Consider Other Medical or Hormonal Problems
6. Fight Yeast with Supplements and Essential Oils
What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection In Dogs
There are a few telltale signs that will help you figure out whether your dog has a yeast infection, leaky gut or allergies. One of the key signs is changeability yeast can change with shifts in pH or temperature.
Here are other signs of yeast infection youll want to look for:
- Chewing or licking the feet
- Dark rusty-red hair between the toes
- Bad smell and greasy hair
- Ear infections or head shaking
- Speckles on the underbelly
- Seasonal allergies
- Secondary bacterial infection
Its important to know these signs because the longer your dogs yeast infection goes untreated, the harder it will be to resolve.
If your dog has more than one of these signs, it might be time to treat the yeast. Here are the 4 steps you need to take to stop your dogs yeast overgrowth.
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Wash Using The Gentlest Fragrance
Technically, all you really need to clean the genitals is warm water, says Dr. Brandye, but a gentle bar soap could also work. Dr. Brandye prefers bar soap over liquid, as bar soaps tend to have less additional ingredients that could cause potential irritation compared to liquid soaps.
Dr. Brandye likes the Dove Beauty Bar for Sensitive Skin for this. And while it’s technically not a “soap”, Dr. Brandye says it doesn’t matter as the Dove bar is a mild cleanser and moisturizer, which can help maintain skin integrity.
For her patients with recurring infections of either yeast or BV, Dr. Brandye recommends RepHresh Pro B, which is a probiotic specifically meant for maintaining a healthy vaginal pH . “It is a tablet that you take by mouth every day, and used along with good perineal hygiene habits, works really well,” she says. Just remember, you still gotta treat the yeast infection, but the probiotic is a good extra step in case you want to prevent recurring future ones.
When To See A Doctor For A Yeast Infection
As with any womens health concern, you should always consult a doctor to prescribe appropriate treatment. Insufficient treatment can cause recurring symptoms or chronic infections.
People of menstrual age are more likely to experience yeast infections than younger people with vaginas who have not yet started menstruating. This is likely due to many different factors, but the hormonal changes that bring about menstruation can play a role in increasing yeast infection risk for some people.
Among people who get recurring yeast infections, many report experiencing symptoms at the same time every month, in sync with their menstrual cycle. High levels of estrogen can lead to candida overgrowth, and estrogen increases after your period. Yeast infections that occur before your period may be due to changes in vaginal pH that happen during that time as part of your cycle.
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Why Trust Verywell Health
As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home. For over 10 years, she has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. Every product in this piece was selected taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews.
Additional reporting to this story by Brittany Leitner
As a health writer with over eight years of experience, Brittany Leitner understands how important access to information is when it comes to making educated health decisions. She has interviewed dozens of medical experts, tested out hundreds of products, and aims to provide quality recommendations that wont break the bank.
Diagnosing And Treating Yeast Infections At Home
Did you know 3 out of 4 women will get a yeast infection in their lifetime? Many will get more than one. The good news for womenespecially those who experience more than oneis you may be able to diagnose and treat a yeast infection from home. If you have never had a yeast infection, youll want to go to your doctor or at least talk to them first and get their advice.
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Essential Oil Of Oregano
Common oregano, or Origanum marjoram, is what you usually find in your grocery stores spice section. However, the oil of oregano used to treat yeast infections is not the same type.
Look for oregano oil made from wild oregano, or Origanum vulgare.
A 2017 study found oregano essential oil to be effective in altering the growth of C. Albicans.
Never ingest essential oils. Essential oils are meant to be inhaled as part of aromatherapy. While some studies are examining other ways to use essential oil of oregano, experts recommend diluting it in a carrier oil, such as olive or sweet almond oil, at this time.
Preventing A Yeast Infection Naturally
The best treatment for yeast infections is prevention. To lower your risk of developing a yeast infection:
- Wear cotton underwear that is not too tight and is breathable
- Change out of sweaty workout clothes or wet bathing suits right away
- Avoid scented soaps and detergents
- Change pads and tampons often
- When using the bathroom, always wipe from front to back
- Avoid spending too much time in hot tubs and very hot baths
- Minimize yeast-promoting foods in your diet, such as alcohol and sugar
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What To Expect From Prescription Treatment
If you have severe symptoms or OTC medication doesnt clear up your infection, you may need a prescription medication. Your healthcare provider may also recommend taking antifungal medications regularly if you get frequent yeast infections.
Prescription yeast infection medications, such as fluconazole , are taken by mouth. Youll usually only need one dose, but you may be prescribed two doses for very severe symptoms.
Other prescription yeast infection treatments include vaginal antifungal medications you can use for up to two weeks.
Your doctor may also recommend boric acid, another vaginal treatment, that can help treat yeast infections that dont respond to antifungal medications.
If you get a yeast infection while pregnant, OTC topical treatments can provide relief. Your healthcare provider wont prescribe fluconazole, as it can increase the risk of birth defects.
Still, its important to follow up with your healthcare provider if youre pregnant and have a yeast infection thats not getting better.
What To Feed A Dog With A Yeast Infection
The best diet for a dog with yeast is a whole food, raw diet, avoiding any starchy carbohydrates. Then, once youve stopped feeding the yeast and youve broken up the biofilm, youll want to add antifungal foods and supplements to your dogs diet. Use as many as your dog can tolerate but if hes showing signs of yeast die-off, go more slowly. Here are some of the top performing antifungal foods:
Caprylic Acid
This is a medium chain triglyceride found in coconut oil and palm oil. Of course, you want to be kind to the planet and make sure your caprylic acid never comes from palm oil. Research shows caprylic acid can directly treat some yeast infections. Its believed it can destroy Candida by destroying its cell membrane. Ideally, your dogs caprylic acid would come from MCT oil. Research done on the benefits of coconut oil werent done on the same coconut oil you would buy at the grocery store they were done using only the MCTs.
Coconut oil is also a poor choice for managing yeast infection in dogs because of its lauric acid content. Lauric acid promotes inflammation in the digestive tract. This is a key cause of leaky gut. So a good quality MCT oil might be a better source of caprylic acid than coconut oil. And as a bonus, its been shown to be a potential way to manage seizures in dogs.
MCT oil can cause diarrhea in your dog if you give too much. So start slowly and work your way up. Try starting at a quarter tsp for large and medium sized dogs.
Olive Leaf
Pau DArco
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