What Are Yeast Infections
Yeast is a type of microscopic fungi, and most yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called candida albicans. This fungus is present in all healthy vaginas and is kept in check by other bacteria. But, at times, this equilibrium can be disrupted due to causes such as antibiotic use and hormone imbalance like during pregnancy. This can result in an overgrowth of yeast, causing an infection.
Typical symptoms of a yeast infection include:
- Painful urination
- Redness of the vulva
- Thick, white discharge
The typical treatment for a yeast infection is an antifungal medication usually a cream. Over-the-counter creams include Monistat and prescription creams include terconazole. Some patients may also be prescribed a one-time dose of an oral antifungal, such as fluconazole.
But, for those who would prefer to treat their yeast infection naturally, here are the home remedies that may work and the ones that don’t.
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.
Look For Signs Of A Yeast Infection
Scratching and licking could indicate that your pup is itchy, a telltale symptom of a yeast infection. Dogs may also rub their faces when itchy. Yeast infections can also cause loss of fur. Other signs that you might be dealing with a yeast infection include red, oily, or flaking skin. When ears are infected, they may produce a brown discharge. You may also notice a sweet or musty smell. If your dog has repeated yeast infections, the skin may thicken or change colors or darken.
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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
How To Prevent Yeast Infections In Dogs
Prevention of yeast infections in dogs must include addressing the underlying cause to reduce the likelihood that the infection will reoccur.
Routine bathing with an antifungal shampoo may be beneficial. However, for shampoo treatment to be effective, the lather must sit on a dogs skin for a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing.
Dogs with skin folds may need to have maintenance treatment to keep these areas from becoming too moist, as yeast thrive in moist, dark places such as skin folds and ears.
Dogs that have had allergy testing and are determined to be allergic to yeast can be desensitized by including yeast as an ingredient in immunotherapy .
If you suspect that your dog has a yeast infection, consult your regular veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment plan that is appropriate for your pet.
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Other Home Remedies And Diy Approaches For Yeast Infections
Garlic and tea tree oil are also popular natural remedies for vaginal yeast infections.
Numerous studies have shown that garlic has antifungal properties. But when taken orally, garlic has no effect on vaginal Candida counts, according to a study published in the journal BJOG.
While tea tree oils are effective against various Candida species in both laboratory and rat studies, clinical trials are lacking.
Douching with vinegar may be doubly bad because of the potential damage the liquid can cause to the vaginal walls.
You can find numerous other natural remedies for yeast infections online, including coconut oil, pomegranate gel, and echinacea purpurea liquid.
But before trying any alternative treatments, it’s best to check with your doctor.
Schedule An Appointment With Your Vet
Your vet can quickly tell whether your dog has a yeast infection, ear mites, or something else. Vets will perform visual exams and swab or scrape the impacted areas and examine the results under a microscope to look for yeast in a process known as cytology. Other methods include using tape to capture suspected yeast, skin biopsy, and pressing the microscope slide directly to the skin. Cytology can be performed on ears, paws, or skin and takes a few minutes to diagnose. Once you have your diagnosis, your vet can recommend a course of action to treat your dog’s yeast infection.
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Does Yogurt Prevent Or Treat Yeast Infections
Maybe. Studies suggest that eating eight ounces of yogurt with live cultures daily or taking Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules can help prevent infection.4,5
But, more research still needs to be done to say for sure if yogurt with Lactobacillus or other probiotics can prevent or treat vaginal yeast infections. If you think you have a yeast infection, see your doctor or nurse to make sure before taking any over-the-counter medicine.
Whats The Difference Between A Yeast Infection And A Uti
While some of the symptoms between a TI and a yeast infection are similar, they are two distinct conditions. A UTI occurs when bacteria invade the urinary tract, causing pain when urinating, feeling a frequent need to urinate, and foul-smelling urine. UTIs may also lead to fever, lower back pain, and even nausea or vomiting when serious.
While yeast infections also can cause pain when urinating, youll also likely feel itchiness and swelling around your vaginal area too, and instead of foul-smelling urine, you might experience an odorless white discharge.
Although the two are unrelated, sometimes, treatment for a UTI, which often involves taking antibiotics, may actually lead to a yeast infection, since antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria that keep yeast growth in control.
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Cuts Burning And Itching Of The Vulva
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How Can I Reduce My Risk Of A Yeast Infection
You can often prevent vaginal yeast infections by making a few lifestyle changes. These changes can include:
- Not douching douching can kill bacteria that actually control fungus.
- Avoiding the use of feminine deodorants.
- Not using scented tampons or pads.
- Changing out of wet clothing, like bathing suits or gym clothes, as soon as you can.
- Wearing cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes.
- Using water-based sexual lubricants.
- Keeping your blood sugar levels in a normal range if you have diabetes.
The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar to other conditions. If you have any questions, a physical exam by your healthcare provider will help.
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Complications And Side Effects Of A Yeast Infection
If your yeast infection remains untreated for a long time it could develop into complications. Here are some signs that may show you are developing a complication:
- Symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching become so severe that it causes tears or sores
- A recurrence of a yeast infection four or more times in one year
Types Of Yeast Infections
Of course, there are plenty of reasons you may have an issue with your intestinal flora but one of the most common causes for concern is a yeast infection. Because there are many different florae, there are also many different types of bacteria, yeast, and fungal infections.
Oral thrush, for example, is a yeast infection in your mouth. Cutaneous candidiasis is a yeast infection on your skin and nails. Unfortunately for your little one, certain diaper rashes are also caused by a yeast infection. And lets not forget about penile yeast infection. But of course, the most common is the vaginal yeast infection.
And lets not forget about penile yeast infection. But of course, the most common is the vaginal yeast infection.
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Boric Acid For Treating Yeast Infections
Research shows that boric acid suppository capsules appear to be very effective against yeast infections, particularly those caused by non-albicans species.
An early study found that boric acid suppositories, when taken nightly for 7 to 10 days, have up to a 92 percent cure rate. 32581-9/pdf” rel=”nofollow”> 14)
More recently, a 2007 article in the journal Diabetes Care found that boric acid vaginal suppositories were more effective against C. glabrata infections in diabetic women than an oral azole medication.
And a later review in the Journal of Women’s Health found that it’s a safe alternative to azole medication for the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by non-albicans Candida.
But boric acid can occasionally cause vaginal burning, is toxic when swallowed, and shouldn’t be used frequently or when pregnant.
What Exams Or Tests Do Doctors Use To Diagnose A Yeast Infection Skin Rash
For healthy people, most physicians can diagnose a candidal infection without laboratory tests. Occasionally, if the infection will not go away or if it involves the entire body, more extensive tests may be performed.
- One way to diagnose a vaginal yeast infection is with a full gynecologic exam.
- Over-the-counter pH testing kits are available to help women differentiate common bacterial infections. However, people may still need to visit their doctor to confirm the cause of symptoms and to obtain the appropriate treatment.
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How To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection
If youre a woman, youve got a pretty good chance of experiencing a yeast infection at some point in your lifetime. Vaginal yeast infection, or candidiasis, is a very common condition and can cause skin rashes, itchiness and irritation, and strange-looking discharges. It can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition to have, but luckily, its very treatable and typically goes away in just a few days with medications. Knowing the symptoms and what to look for are important to be able to diagnose and treat them quickly. Below are answers to some common questions about yeast infections.
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.
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How Long Does It Take For Monistat To Work
Ugh! Its that vaginal itching, soreness, irritation and burning again. You may have a yeast infection. When you experience those uncomfortable telltale symptoms, you want to get rid of a yeast infection fast. But not all yeast infection treatments provide the same speed to symptom relief. In this article, well compare Monistat with other yeast infection treatments to see which products provide the fastest yeast infection symptom relief.
What Are The Signs Of A Yeast Infection On My Breasts
A yeast infection on the breasts tends to look like a raised, shiny, red rash in the warm, moist folds of your skin. If the yeast overgrowth becomes more severe, it can also cause your skin to crack and bleed.
Like other yeast infections, itching, burning, and pain at the rash site are common symptoms. Breast yeast infections can give off a bad odor, too.
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Remedies And Treatments For Yeast Infections
The most effective treatment for yeast infections is a dedicated course of antifungal medication. However, you can also try several home remedies if you are waiting to see a doctor for a diagnosis and prescription. Here are six treatments for yeast infections.
Take Probiotics
Many yeast infections occur when your immune system is busy or damaged. Itâs common to experience yeast infections while on antibiotics because your bodyâs normal bacteria die off.
Eat Yogurt
Yogurt is another healthy source of probiotics. Just make sure that you eat the yogurt. It doesnât offer any benefits when applied topically, and the sugar thatâs present in all yogurt may cause other infections as well.
Apply Saltwater Rinses
Yeast infections can sometimes be reduced and soothed by rinsing the area gently with saltwater. Mix a half teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. For oral thrush, you can gently swish the mixture around in your mouth. For other areas of your body, you can soak the infected area for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Apply Coconut Oil
Coconut oil seems to act as an antifungal agent both in the lab and in people.
You can gently apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the site of the yeast infection. This may help kill off some of the yeast and may soothe irritated, dry, uncomfortable skin, allowing it to heal.
Use Tea Tree Oil
Baking Soda And Yeast Infections
Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before using a baking soda solution to ensure that you have a correct diagnosis, and whether is safe for you to use. You may have a different infection about two-thirds of people who buy OTC yeast infection treatments don’t have yeast infections after all.
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Uti Vs Yeast Infection Are They Different
Many symptoms are similar between UTIs and yeast infections. Theyre both infections that occur down there and might be to blame if you feel a burning sensation when you pee yet theyre very different!
Many folks commonly confuse a UTI with a yeast infection and vice versa. Heres what you need to know.
UTIs occur when bad bacteria enter your urinary system. UTIs can affect you anywhere along your urinary tract, from your urethra all the way up to your ureters, bladder, and kidneys. Youll likely feel a burning sensation when you pee and will feel the need to go much more frequently than normal. Your urine may appear cloudy and have a strong odor.
Yeast infections in women dont typically result in pee or discharge that has much an odor, which can be a helpful distinguishing symptom between a UTI and a yeast infection.
Here are some common causes of UTIs:
Heres some additional info you may find helpful:
- Both men and women can get UTIs, but women are more likely to develop a UTI simply because of their anatomy.
- You can have a UTI and a yeast infection at the same time. If this is your situation, you have our deepest sympathies. Wed suggest you see your doctor for some help finding rapid relief.
- You dont need to be sexually active to experience a UTI.
What Increases My Risk For A Wound Infection
Anything that decreases your bodys ability to heal wounds may put you at risk for a wound infection. This includes any of the following:
- Age older than 65
- Medical conditions that weaken the immune system such as diabetes, HIV, or cancer
- Medicines that cause a weak immune system such as steroids
- Radiation, chemotherapy, or poor nutrition
- Foreign objects in the wound such as glass or metal
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Save Your Money And Dont Get Any Of Those Vaginal Ph Test Kits
When youre trying to solve a problem in your pants FAST, it can be tempting to grab one of those expensive kits that promises to tell you whether you have a yeast infection or not, but if you have any doubts as to whether you have one, call a doc.
The OTC test strips are only testing for the vaginal pH, which is not definitive for saying if it is a yeast infection or something else. It is only testing whether or not the pH is off, explains Dr. Brandye. Your vaginal pH could be changed due to a variety of other factors such as your menstrual cycle , recent sexual intercourse, recently having taken antibiotics, or multiple infections .
What Happens If A Yeast Infection Is Left Untreated
Start treating a yeast infection as quickly as possible. The wait and see approach will likely just make your yeast infection worse, with redness, itching, and inflammation all over the genital region. Open sores and cracked skin could occur, which could turn into a skin infection. Then, when you do treat it, the infection could take much longer than if you had initially treated it. Untreated yeast infections can also pass between sexual partners, cause complications in pregnant women, and could pass to the baby during childbirth.
Women who get yeast infections on a regular basis may benefit from keeping treatment at home, so it is ready to use when needed.
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