What Increases My Risk Of Getting A Yeast Infection
Certain factors make you more likely to get a vaginal yeast infection.
Certain factors can increase your risk of getting a vaginal yeast infection. Some of those are:
Certain lifestyle risk factors also increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:
- Sitting in a wet bathing suit.
- Not changing out of sweaty clothes.
- Wearing scented tampons or using a vaginal deodorant.
When To See A Doctor About Recurring Yeast Infections
See your doctor if you’re experiencing more than four yeast infections a year, or if at-home treatments haven’t been enough to clear your yeast infection after two weeks, Dr. Gersh recommends.
Your provider can prescribe a more powerful antifungal to help clear the infection, and if needed, help you address any underlying factors that could be causing the yeast infections to recur.
Help For Chronic Symptoms
If you suffer from chronic yeast infections, then you should talk to an OB/GYN. There are a variety of issues that can cause chronic yeast infections, and its important to see a professional to get the right diagnosis and treatment. If these symptoms are left untreated, then the condition can get even more uncomfortable. Therefore, its important to book this appointment!
You May Like: Yeast Infection Urge To Urinate
How Is Candida Albicans Diagnosed
A visual examination of the affected area helps diagnose Candida, specifically if it is in your mouth or genital region. Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your symptoms, especially duration and severity. They’ll also test the infection to identify exactly what it is so they can offer a comprehensive treatment plan.
What To Expect At Your Yeast Infection Appointment
Yeast infections are simple to diagnose and treat. Your Walgreens Healthcare Clinic appointment will include:
- Questions about your symptoms and medical history
- Brief exam and testing, if necessary
Clinics are open evenings and weekends, so you can get tested when your schedule allows. Learn more about yeast infections at a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic near you.2,3
Read Also: Keflex Used For Tooth Infection
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 won’t break the bank.
Can Vaginal Yeast Infections Be Prevented
For most girls, there’s no way to prevent yeast infections. You may feel more comfortable and have less irritation if you wear breathable cotton underwear and clothes and avoid vaginal sprays and douches. Wearing cotton underwear may also help prevent yeast infections.
If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar levels stable also can help you avoid yeast infections.
If you think you have an infection, call your doctor for advice. Don’t take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics or medicine. They might be the wrong choice for your condition, and taking antibiotics when they’re not needed can make yeast infections more likely.
Yeast infections can be annoying, especially if they happen often. To help avoid them, follow your doctor’s advice, wear cotton underwear, and try to wear loose-fitting clothes. Your body will thank you.
Read Also: Which Monistat Is Better For Yeast Infections
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Vaginal Yeast Infections
Vaginal yeast infections can cause:
- redness, swelling, or itching of the vulva
- a thick, white discharge that can look like cottage cheese and is usually odorless, although it might smell like bread or yeast
- pain or burning when urinating or during sex
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor or gynecologist. It’s easy to confuse the symptoms of a yeast infection with those of some STDs and other vaginal infections. Your doctor can make sure you are treated for the right type of infection.
If you have a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor can recommend treatment to clear up the symptoms and cure the infection quickly.
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
Don’t Miss: Can Men Get Yeast Infections From Women
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Skin Yeast Infection
Signs and symptoms will depend on the type of yeast causing the infection, and where the infection is located.
- Red, scaly skin
- Changes in skin color, especially a beefy red color
- Itching, dry skin
- Painful, cracking skin at the corners of your mouth
- Thick, discolored, chipping nails
- Skin lesions that may be red or purple and round
How Do I Get Rid Of Candida Albicans
Since Candida is a fungus, an antifungal medicine treats the infection to stop overgrowth. Antifungal medications come in two forms:
- Oral: Medicine taken by mouth .
- Topical: Medicine applied directly to the affected area .
Your healthcare provider will give you directions on how to use each type of antifungal medication to make sure the infection clears up and doesnt return.
You May Like: Burning With Yeast Infection Medicine
The Cost Of Treating A Yeast Infection At Urgent Care
It will likely cost $135- $198 to treat a yeast infection at urgent care without insurance.
Urgent care centers such as CityMD charge $200 for an office visit and charge additional fees if other services are added, such as lab testing.
- Insurance Status
- Location of the urgent care center
- Type of Insurance
- Additional Tests and Lab Work
- Prescription Medication / Drugs
Your Clothes Are Too Tight
Frequently wearing tight bottoms â especially ones made of synthetic materials â won’t alone cause a yeast infection. But it can increase your odds, especially if you have other risk factors.
“If all of the variables are aligned with an infection, it’s possible that recurring yeast infections will be the default position and occur continuously,” Dr. Gersh says.
âFix it: âStart by talking with your doctor to address any potential underlying issues that could be setting the stage for yeast infections, like those mentioned above. While you take steps to address those, make it a point to wear bottoms that are made of natural, breathable materials and have a looser fit.
Also Check: Middle Ear Infection Tympanostomy Tube
When Should I Make An Appointment To See My Provider
The first time you experience the symptoms of a yeast infection, you should see your doctor to rule out any other conditions. Even if youve had a yeast infection before, you should consult your physician if the condition isnt improving despite using medication, or if you experience four or more yeast infections per year. You might need something stronger than whats available over-the-counter. Finally, if your discharge has a bad odor, if you have a fever, or if you have other serious medical problems, you should definitely seek medical attention.
Should I Try An Otc Treatment
Many women choose to treat their yeast infection with over-the-counter drugs, such as Monistat. While some patients have success with these treatments, others need antibiotics to clear up their infections. While most patients can try over-the-counter treatments, its important to talk with your doctor first.
Recommended Reading: Can Chlamydia Be Mistaken For A Yeast Infection
How Long Does A Yeast Infection Last
Yeast infection symptoms can be really uncomfortable and make it difficult to impossible to enjoy everything from working out to having sex. Thats why, at the first sign of a yeast infection, most women dont mess around and seek treatment right away.
To kill the Candida albicans fungus thats causing your yeast infection, you need an antifungal medication. While these medications are available over the counter, the cream and suppository forms you find at your local drugstore tend to be messy and typically require multiple days of use.
Thankfully, theres a much easier and faster way to treat a yeast infection. You can get one-pill prescription treatment online at Virtuwell. In addition to prescribing Diflucan a one-dose antifungal medication that quickly clears up yeast infections well provide tips and advice on how to soothe symptoms while you heal.
How Is Yeast Infection Treated
Your healthcare provider will consider your age, overall health, how widespread the infection is and other factors to determine your treatment.
Yeast infections can be easily treated with ointments or other anti-yeast creams.
- Yeast infection in the mouth may be treated with a medicated mouthwash. Or it may be treated with lozenges that dissolve in the mouth.
- If you have a severe infection and have a weak immune system, you may need to take an oral anti-yeast medicine.
- Esophageal yeast infections are usually treated with oral or intravenous anti-yeast medicines.
- Yeast infections of the nails are treated with an oral anti-yeast medicine.
- Yeast infections in the skin folds can be treated with anti-yeast powders.
Also Check: Breathe Right Strips For Sinus Infection
Are Yeast Infections Contagious
Yeast infections arent considered STIs. In rare cases, you can pass a yeast infection from one partner to another.
Its also possible for a baby to get a fungal diaper rash at birth if the mother has a vaginal yeast infection during delivery. You may also pass on a yeast infection to your babys mouth during breastfeeding if Candida overgrowth is present in the breast area.
While you can pass a yeast infection to another person, its not contagious in the same way as other infections are. You wont catch the infection by air or by using the same shower as someone with the infection, for example. If youre concerned about transmission, talk to your doctor about situations in which a yeast infection could be contagious.
Will An Infection By Candida Albicans Make It Difficult For Me To Eat
Candida albicans infections located in your mouth can make eating difficult. You may have pain while eating or swallowing and lose your sense of taste. If you notice an overgrowth of yeast in your mouth that looks white and lumpy, similar to the texture of cottage cheese, contact your healthcare provider for treatment.
Also Check: Hiv Prophylaxis Guidelines Opportunistic Infection
After Yeast Infection Treatment
It can take 1-2 days before someone feels relief from their symptoms. In the meantime, wearing loose fitting clothing and trying to stay cool may help soothe the itch and discomfort. Avoid scratching, because this can cause breaks in the skin which can become infected. Itâs best to not have sex until a yeast infection is gone because sex can cause more discomfort, and the vaginal creams and suppositories may weaken latex condoms.
Article was originally published July 26, 2018
Is It Safe To Use Over
Yes, but always talk with your doctor or nurse before treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection. This is because:
- You may be trying to treat an infection that is not a yeast infection. Studies show that two out of three women who buy yeast infection medicine don’t really have a yeast infection.2 Instead, they may have an STI or bacterial vaginosis . STIs and BV require different treatments than yeast infections and, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems.
- Using treatment when you do not actually have a yeast infection can cause your body to become resistant to the yeast infection medicine. This can make actual yeast infections harder to treat in the future.
- Some yeast infection medicine may weaken condoms and diaphragms, increasing your chance of getting pregnant or an STI when you have sex. Talk to your doctor or nurse about what is best for you, and always read and follow the directions on the medicine carefully.
Don’t Miss: What Do Your Sinuses Look Like When Infected
What Should I Do If I Have Frequent Yeast Infections
If you get more than four vaginal yeast infections per year, have a discussion with your healthcare provider. Your provider may:
- Test to confirm that you have a vaginal yeast infection.
- Order a blood sugar test for diabetes.
- Test for HIV/AIDS.
- Discuss any possible hormonal changes .
Your healthcare provider will use your test results to make sure you receive the right treatment. It can be important to treat the underlying cause while treating your yeast infection. Controlling the reason for the infection can help prevent future vaginal yeast infections.
When To See A Medical Provider
Some yeast infections can be treated at home with OTC medications. But if its your first time experiencing symptoms, contact a medical provider for care. They can rule out other possible infections and determine the right course of treatment for your yeast infection. Its also a good idea to speak with a medical provider if you have a new sexual partner, if youve tried OTC medication but are still experiencing symptoms, or if you develop new symptoms.
Also Check: Infection Control Manual For Assisted Living Facilities
What Causes Yeast Infections In Dogs
Yeast infections in dogs are usually secondary problems. This means that there is some other issue that is weakening the skins defense mechanisms to allow the yeast to grow in higher numbers than normal.
It is very common to see yeast infections in a dogs ears or on their skin if they have food allergies or environmental allergies. Other underlying issues that may cause yeast infections in dogs include hormonal problems or other diseases that suppress the immune system.
There are no studies to confirm that any of the following cause yeast infections on a dogs skin:
-
Carbohydrates or sugar in food
Causes Of Yeast Infections
A yeast infection can be caused by a number of things, but most often, the fungus Candida albicans is the cause. The vaginal has a natural balance of this substance, as well as other bacteria. However, there are times when there may be an overgrowth of Candida, which leads to the development of a yeast infection. As a result, you may experience a combination of classic symptoms like burning, itching and soreness. Even women who are not sexually active can develop one.
On occasion, other types of Candida fungus may result in a yeast infection, but most treatments, especially those over-the-counter, are made to treat Candida albicans. If you develop a yeast infection that is caused by a different type of candida fungus, you may find it more challenging to treat. When it requires more aggressive treatment, you may have to make an appointment to see your ob/gyn.
Dont Miss: What Antibiotics Are Best For Tooth Infection
You May Like: What Antibiotics Treat Uti Infections
What Should I Watch For While Using This Medication
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better within a few days.
It is better not to have sex until you have finished your treatment. This medicine may damage condoms or diaphragms and cause them not to work properly. It may also decrease the effect of vaginal spermicides. Do not rely on any of these methods to prevent sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy while you are using this medicine.
Who To See For A Yeast Infection
You can see your primary care doctor or your gynecologist, either of whom can treat a yeast infection. If you are pregnant, call your obstetrician. Gynecologic nurse practitioners, midwives, and physician assistants also treat yeast infections.
A yeast infection can be troublesome, but this common condition usually responds well to antifungal treatment. If you decide to treat it at home , be aware of symptoms that dont go away within the time frame indicated by the label of your OTC medicine. Instead, call your doctor, who may suggest a prescription medication instead. There are also oral antifungals that may be more effective than a cream or suppository.
Read Also: Truvada For Prevention Of Hiv Infection
What Can I Do To Prevent A Skin Yeast Infection
- Do not share clothing or towels
- Wear shower shoes if you need to use a public shower
- Dry your feet completely after you bathe, and apply antifungal powder or cream as directed
- Put on socks before you get dressed so you do not spread fungus from your feet
- Wear light clothing that allows air to get to your skin
- Manage your weight to prevent skin folds where yeast can collect
- Manage diabetes
- Use antibiotics correctly to prevent antibiotic resistance
- Change your babys diaper often, and keep the area clean and dry as much as possible
- Use a diaper cream or ointment that contains zinc oxide or dimethicone on your babys diaper area as directed