Utis And Yeast Infections Need Very Different Treatments
The issue is not just that these two infections require different medications to relieve you of your symptoms. Its also that if you try to treat what you think is a yeast infection with over-the-counter meds when its really a UTI , you could eventually be at risk for a kidney infection, or at the very least not actually get rid of your UTI. Youre not going to get better, Dr. Minkin says bluntly about using the wrong treatment.
So, first up, yeast infections: Getting rid of yeast infections really comes down to curbing that Candida overgrowth by using antifungal medications. Depending on the severity of your infection, you might only need a single dose of meds, either vaginally or orally. But if your symptoms are intense or you have recurrent yeast infections , you may need multiple oral or vaginal doses over the course of a few weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you have a urinary tract infection, youll likely receive a prescription for a short course of antibiotics to help your body fight the bacteria, the Mayo Clinic says. If youre also experiencing pain, your provider might prescribe medication to numb your bladder and urethra when you pee, but the Mayo Clinic notes that, more often than not, your pain will lessen when you start taking the antibiotics. And this bears repeating: You should get treated ASAP because untreated lower urinary tract infections can turn into a painful and dangerous kidney infection.
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Make Yogurt Part Of Your Diet
Be careful with yogurt: Some are laden with sugar and extra calories. The best yogurts have live probiotic cultures and no added sugars.
Women who dont have a healthy gastrointestinal tract may be vulnerable to yeast infections, Dr. Rezaee says.
The ingestion of yogurt with its natural cultures helps promote GI tract health, she says. A healthy GI tract means a stronger defense against yeast infections.
How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Treated
If you’re using a vaginal treatment and are sexually active, you should not have sex until the infection has been completely treated because these medicines can weaken condoms and diaphragms.
All these types of medicine can clear up your symptoms in a couple of days and cure the infection within a week. It’s important to take the medicine for the whole time its prescribed. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection could come back. If you’re not feeling better within a few days of finishing treatment, call your doctor.
Some medicines used to treat yeast infections are available without a prescription, but you see a doctor for your diagnosis before buying one. You could have another type of infection that might get worse if not properly treated. Also, over-the-counter medicine should not be used by anyone younger than 12 or girls who might be pregnant without talking to a doctor first.
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What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of A Yeast Infection
To get rid of a yeast infection quickly, see your doctoror if you get yeast infections regularly, you can ask your doctor to give you a prescription to keep on file at your pharmacy, and fill it when you need it. Taking a prescription oral antifungal medication like Diflucan is a quick way to get rid of a yeast infection. Its a one-dose treatment, but some people may need an additional dose or doses. A prescription or OTC vaginal antifungal cream can also help get rid of yeast infections fast. Some prescribers will recommend using both fluconazole and an antifungal cream.
Applying Oils Down There Might Not Be The Best Remedy Either
Other natural remedies for yeast infections you may hear about are coconut oil and tea tree oil. But take caution, the docs say. “I would suggest you avoid the tea tree oil or coconut oil in the vaginal area because research doesnt suggest they work, and they may cause more harm than good,” says Dr. Rainford. Tea tree oil can actually be irritating if you put it near your vulva. And coconut oil, while generally safe for your skin, “is not consistently effective at curing yeast,” Dr. Sophocles points out.
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Preventing Genital Yeast Infections
For the prevention of genital yeast infections, consider the following:
- Avoid sexual activity while a partner has a yeast infection, even if they dont have active symptoms. Yeast infections can be passed back and forth. They can also be transferred from one area of the body to another, like genitals to mouth.
- Wear cotton underwear and change it regularly. Also wear loose, cotton clothing. Tight clothing might trap in moisture and cause friction on your skin, making areas more susceptible to yeast overgrowth.
- Wash certain garments like underwear in hot water. Add bleach if necessary. Also, be sure to use gentle detergents that are free of fragrances and colors. These will be less irritating to your skin should an infection develop.
- Let your bathing suit dry fully. Avoid constantly re-wearing the same wet bathing suit.
- Eat foods that help balance out microflora in the body. These can include yogurts containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of natural probiotic.
- Take a probiotic supplement. Always let your doctor know what supplements you take.
- Take antifungal medications whenever youre prescribed an antibiotic. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if youre prone to yeast infections.
How To Prevent The Occurrence Of Yeast Infection
Except in the cases of pregnancy and hormone therapy, it is possible to control the occurrence of yeast infections. By taking any of the following precautions, you can drastically reduce your chances of infection:
- Always wear neat, clean cotton panties that allow air to pass through
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes like pantyhose, especially during humid weather
- Avoid using scented pads and tampons.
- Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotic
Though they are often lumped together, UTI and vaginal infection are not the same thing. Both infections affect different systems of the body, and should be treated in a different manner. That said, eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water keeps you fit and helps you to fight the infections.
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Uti Vs Yeast Infection
Urinary Tract Infection and Yeast Infection are two different types of infections that can affect the urinary tract. Men and women are both vulnerable, but they are more common in women. One major difference in the symptoms is the presence of white discharge with an abnormal odor in the case of yeast infection.
What Should I Do If Im Experiencing Uncomfortable Symptoms
If youre experiencing any of the above symptoms, the best course of action is to see your local medical provider for a diagnosis. Its possible to have both a UTI and a yeast infection at the same time, which can make it difficult to diagnose the problem yourself.
You can treat a yeast infection with an antifungal suppository or cream. Your medical provider may also prescribe a pill to help you with a yeast infection. UTIs are treated with antibiotics. Prompt treatment can help you avoid complications associated with these problems.
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If My Symptoms Clear Up Before I Finish Using Monistat Can I Stop Treating
No. We recommend our product be used as directed in order to fully cure the infection. When using MONISTAT® as directed, you may start to get relief of symptoms in a few hours. If your symptoms do not get better in 3 days or symptoms last more than 7 days, these may be signs that you may have a more serious condition. If you completed the full course of medication and your symptoms do not get better stop use of the product and contact your healthcare professional.
Possible Complications Of A Yeast Infection While Pregnant
If you have a vaginal yeast infection when you give birth, the baby can catch it. When the baby passes through the birth canal, it comes into contact with all the yeast fungi.
You can usually see symptoms of an oral yeast infection in infants by looking in their mouth. White, pillowy sores can be found on the tongue and inside the cheeks of infants infected with yeast fungi, also known as oral thrush.
This can cause issues, especially if the infant is breastfed. Oral thrush can cause your baby to resist feeding due to pain in the mouth. They can also spread it to the mother, causing extreme discomfort and pain in the nipples and breasts.
While uncomplicated oral thrush in infants is relatively common and easy to treat, it can be difficult to totally eliminate the fungus. Thatâs because the mother and infant can reinfect each other if one still carries the fungus, even after taking medication.
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Identifying A Yeast Infection
Should I See A Doctor
If your yeast infection doesnt improve after treatment, you should consult your doctor. OTC antifungal creams can take up to 10 days to treat a yeast infection.
You should make an appointment if you get recurrent yeast infections, which refers to having four or more yeast infections a year. These usually require prescription treatment because yogurt and other home remedies arent effective for this type of yeast infection.
If youre still having symptoms after this point, you could have a different condition, such as bacterial vaginosis. This is a bacterial infection with symptoms very similar to those of a yeast infection. But because its not caused by a fungus, it wont respond to antifungal treatments.
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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.
Whatever You Do Don’tget Any Vaginal Itch Cream Without Also Getting An Otc Treatment
Using an anti-itch cream is fine, if you also use an OTC treatment. Dr. Brandye notes that she’s seen women use only the anti-itch treatment thinking that it’ll treat whatever is causing the itching, which can delay someone getting treatment for the underlying infection. Anti-itch creams may soothe your symptoms, but you’re going to be using that tube of cream forever and a half if you think it’ll do anything to treat your infection.
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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.
What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria invade the urinary tract, usually working their way from the outside in towards the bladder, or worse, into the kidneys. Often, the bacterium responsible for this type of infection is a common resident of the large intestines, such as E. coli. While typically harmless in the intestinal tract, these bacteria can cause significant trouble if theyre unintentionally introduced into the urinary tract. If you have a history of previous UTIs, you should know that you are more likely to experience a recurrence.
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Male Thrush Or Yeast Infection Symptoms
Both men and women typically have a healthy level of Candida yeast in their body. However, when the yeast builds up, it can cause a variety of symptoms.
While many men dont experience severe or noticeable symptoms of a yeast infection of their genitalia, some might experience symptoms such as:
- disagreeable smell
Should I See My Doctor Every Time I Have A Yeast Infection
You should see your doctor the first time you have symptoms of a yeast infection. It is very important to make sure that you really have a yeast infection before you start taking medicine for it. The symptoms of a yeast infection also can be symptoms of other infections, including some sexually transmitted diseases. Treating yourself for a yeast infection when you actually have another kind of infection may make your problem worse. It is important to see your doctor when you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, and you have symptoms of a yeast infection.
If you have had many yeast infections, talk to your doctor about using a medicine you can buy without a prescription.
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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.
Antibiotics Bacterial Vaginosis And Yeast Infections
BV is most often treated with antibiotics, which can often result in a yeast infection. Researchers still arenât sure why this happens but itâs thought that healthy and unhealthy vaginal flora are wiped out by antibiotics â giving way to Candida overgrowth, because of the lack of Lactobacillus strains left though no single study has confirmed this theory.
Plus, a 2019 review on the link between antibiotic use and vaginal yeast infections, found that women with low levels of vaginal lactobacilli werenât more likely to get a yeast infection. Nor were women dealing with recurrent yeast infections, more likely to have lactobacilli deficient vaginal microbiomes. In case you need a refresher, lactobacilli are the local heroes of the vaginal microbiome, ensuring that the vaginal environment is inhospitable for potential pathogens.
The same review suggests that maybe antibiotics donât impact lactobacilli at all. But instead, they trigger a change in the cells of the vaginal wall, which allows a Candida overgrowth to take place. However, more research is also needed to set this theory in stone!
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Can I Get A Yeast Infection From Breastfeeding
Yes. Yeast infections can happen on your nipples or in your breast from breastfeeding. Yeast thrive on milk and moisture. A yeast infection you get while breastfeeding is different from a vaginal yeast infection. However, it is caused by an overgrowth of the same fungus.
Symptoms of thrush during breastfeeding include:
- Sore nipples that last more than a few days, especially after several weeks of pain-free breastfeeding
- Flaky, shiny, itchy, or cracked nipples
- Deep pink and blistered nipples
- Shooting pain in the breast during or after feedings
If you have any of these signs or symptoms or think your baby might have thrush in his or her mouth, call your doctor. Learn more about thrush in our Breastfeeding section.