Cvs Health Feminine Screening Kit For Vaginal Infections
Its easy to find a cheap and effective pH test at your local drugstore. This kit from CVS includes two swabs and lets you know in seconds whether your vaginal pH is abnormal.
Reviewers say it helped them figure out whether they needed to go to their gynecologist for treatment. But reviewers say they wish the kit came with more swabs for the price.
As with any at-home vaginal pH test, its important to know that this test cant tell you for sure whether you have a yeast infection.
What Can I Expect If I Have A Nipple Yeast Infection
You can usually treat your nipple yeast infection with an antifungal medication. But if your symptoms dont start to clear up within a couple of weeks, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need a prescription treatment option. And dont be surprised if your nipple yeast infection returns. Recurrences are common, especially during breastfeeding.
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.
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Do Guys Get Yeast Infections
Guys who are not circumcised need to take extra care to clean properly beneath their foreskins. The warm, moist folds of the foreskin are the perfect environment for yeast to thrive. Keeping the area clean and dry may help prevent an infection. If symptoms do show up, a doctor can treat the infection.
What Is A Nipple Yeast Infection
A nipple yeast infection is a yeast infection that commonly happens during breastfeeding. A yeast called Candida causes a fungal infection called candidiasis. Yeast is a type of fungus. Many types of yeast naturally live on your skin. This normally doesnt cause any issues in healthy people. But when theres an overgrowth of Candida, the yeast can dig under your skin and cause an infection.
Candidiasis can occur almost anywhere on your body. But its most often found in warm, moist environments. Cracked nipples provide the perfect environment for Candida to grow and thrive.
While breastfeeding, your baby can infect you with a type of oral candidiasis called thrush. Thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth thats common in babies. The thrush can pass to your nipples. Sometimes, you and your baby may pass a yeast infection back and forth to each other.
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How Do You Prevent A Penile Yeast Infection
You can help prevent a penile yeast infection by avoiding sexual contact with a partner who has a yeast infection.
You should also avoid having sex with anyone while you have an active yeast infection, as you could pass the infection back to your partner. This could cause the two of you to pass an infection back and forth.
To lower the risk of getting a yeast infection or passing one along, do the following:
- Wear an external condom each time you have sex to help reduce your chances of developing a yeast infection.
- If you are uncircumcised, clean under the foreskin with soap and water, and return your foreskin to its usual position after you have sexual intercourse.
How Is A Skin Yeast Infection Diagnosed And Treated
Your healthcare provider may know you have a skin yeast infection from your signs and symptoms. He or she may take a sample of your skin to check for fungus. He or she may also look at areas of your skin under ultraviolet light to show which type of yeast infection you have. You may be given an antifungal cream or ointment to treat the infection. You may be given antifungal medicine as a pill if your infection is severe.
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Causes And Risk Factors
Vaginal yeast infections are usually caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans. Its normal for this yeast to live in the mucous membranes lining the genitals. There are usually only small amounts of it, though, so it doesn’t cause any problems.
But the healthy balance of microorganisms living in the membranes is sometimes disrupted for instance, through pregnancy or medication.
The level of estrogen in the body is particularly high during pregnancy. That can upset the healthy balance and increase the likelihood of developing a vaginal yeast infection. Taking the contraceptive pill affects a woman’s hormone levels in a similar way to pregnancy. So women who take the pill are also more likely to have yeast infections.
Some illnesses increase the risk of vaginal yeast infections. These include diabetes and other diseases that weaken the immune system. Various medications can increase the risk too, such as , steroids, hormone therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Other factors that increase the risk of vaginal yeast infections include stress, washing your genitals with soap, wearing synthetic and tight clothes, sweating and using non-breathable panty liners or sanitary pads. These things allow the yeast to thrive, leading to an inflammation.
Can Vaginal Yeast Infections Be Prevented
For most girls, theres 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. Dont take leftover antibiotics or someone elses antibiotics or medicine. They might be the wrong choice for your condition, and taking antibiotics when theyre not needed can make yeast infections more likely.
Yeast infections can be annoying, especially if they happen often. To help avoid them, follow your doctors advice, wear cotton underwear, and try to wear loose-fitting clothes. Your body will thank you.
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Should I Call My Doctor Or Nurse If I Think I Have A Yeast Infection
Yes. Seeing your doctor or nurse is the only way to know for sure if you have a yeast infection and not a more serious type of infection.
The signs and symptoms of a yeast infection are a lot like symptoms of other more serious infections, such as STIs and bacterial vaginosis . If left untreated, STIs and BV raise your risk of getting other STIs, including HIV, and can lead to problems getting pregnant. BV can also lead to problems during pregnancy, such as premature delivery.
Are Yeast Infections Preventable
Dr. Saunders says there are no specific prevention measures you can take, as sporadic infections may occur without a precipitating factor. However, she says, For women with diabetes, maintaining normal blood glucose levels is important, as poor control may increase the risk of developing vaginal yeast infections. Also, only take antibiotics when prescribed and exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
Do these symptoms sound familiar? You dont need to wait to get relief. Make an appointment with a Banner Health physician to ensure you are properly diagnosed and treated.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection On Your Face
A yeast infection on your face may appear as a red rash. The rash may have dry, scaly patches. The patches may crust over and ooze pus. The rash may look like acne on your face, with pimples or small bumps appearing around it. The rash may also be itchy, painful or burning.
If the rash is around your mouth or on your lips, you may have oral thrush. Other symptoms of oral thrush or yeast infection on your lips include:
- White patches on your lips.
- Redness or soreness on the corners of your mouth.
- Cracked, dry skin on the corners of your mouth.
How Yeast Infections Are Treated
Yeast infections are often treated with a prescription of fluconazole, an oral antifungal medication, or an over-the-counter antifungal cream, like clotrimazole or miconazole.
While some yeast infections may be resolved with over-the-counter treatments, you should consult your doctor if you have chronic candidiasis, if your yeast infection causes pain or discomfort that disrupts your daily life, if you are breastfeeding or pregnant, or if your infection has not improved after taking the over-the-counter treatment. Yeast infections can cause similar symptoms as some sexually transmitted infections or conditions like eczema. A doctor can help properly diagnose the cause of your skin irritation.
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What Increases My Risk For A Skin Yeast Infection
- Elderly age, especially as skin gets thinner and tears more easily
- Obesity that causes skin folds where moisture can collect
- Diapers that are not changed regularly and allow moisture to sit on your baby’s skin
- Diabetes, especially if it is not controlled
- Bedrest that allows moisture to collect on your skin
- Immune system problems
- Certain medicines, including antibiotics or medicines that weaken your immune system
- Pregnancy or hormone changes
- Moisture left on your feet or between your toes after you bathe, or that builds up under a ring you wear
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What Should I Do If I Have Frequent Yeast Infections
If you frequently have yeast infections, you should have a discussion with your healthcare provider. Your provider may:
- Test to confirm that you really have a vaginal yeast infection.
- Get 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 are receiving 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.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/26/2019.
References
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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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.
How Is A Yeast Infection On Your Face Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider can diagnose a yeast infection on your face or lips through a physical examination. They will ask you about your symptoms and look at your face, lips and mouth. They may be able to diagnose a yeast infection by looking at the skin on your face.
Your healthcare provider may want to get a sample of the rash for testing. They may gently scrape some of the skin from the infected area. A pathologist will look at the sample under a microscope to determine the type of fungus thats causing the infection.
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How Do Doctors Test For Yeast Infections
Doctors typically conduct a vaginitis test when testing for an infection. Theyll use a swab to take a sample of your vaginal discharge, which is then examined under a microscope.
This test is the best option to determine whether you have a yeast infection or if its another type of infection, such as BV, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis.
Yeast In Urine Treatment
Although most vaginal yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter medications. A woman should confirm the diagnosis with her doctor to ensure proper treatment. Other conditions may produce symptoms that are similar to those of a vaginal yeast infection, and some yeast infections may have a more serious disease as an underlying cause.
Women who have vaginal yeast infections that recur should seek professional medical help. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is a condition defined as four or more proven episodes of vaginal yeast infections per year. Every often urine test should be carried out to rule out any yeast in urine.
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Are Yeast Infections Contagious
Yeast infections arent considered to be sexually transmitted infections , but they can be passed to a partner if you have sex without a barrier method.
Its also possible for a baby to get a fungal diaper rash at birth if the mother has a yeast infection. However, you wont catch a yeast infection from sharing a shower or exchanging saliva with someone.
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Yeast Infection Medication Tips
People should be aware of the following advice when taking medication for yeast infections:
- It is important to take the entire dosage of medication. For example, if a person is using a 7-day suppository to clear an infection, they should insert the suppository daily, even if their symptoms begin to clear before the 7-day period ends.
- The oils in certain suppositories and creams can interfere with barrier birth control methods such as condoms. The oils can weaken the materials in condoms, making them less effective. When using these yeast infection treatments, a person should use a different form of birth control or abstain from sex during the duration of the treatment if they would typically use a condom.
- People who are pregnant will need to consult a doctor. Pregnant people should always consult a doctor before using any prescription or nonprescription medication to treat an infection.
Below are answers to some common questions about treating yeast infections.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Nipple Yeast Infection
The most common symptom of a nipple yeast infection is nipple and breast pain. You may feel a stabbing or shooting pain deep within your breasts. You may feel this pain during or after breastfeeding. The pain doesnt go away after changing the position or latch of your baby. Also, your nipples may feel tender to the touch. You may feel pain when your clothing brushes against them. Other signs of a nipple yeast infection include:
- Burning or stinging sensation.
- Excessive sweating .
Yeast infections are also seen more often in people with weakened immune systems. This may be because of conditions such as HIV/AIDs or diabetes. Or it may be due to the use of certain medications that suppress your immune system.
Diabetes And Yeast Infections
Factors like diabetes and a suppressed immune system may contribute to your yeast infection risk, according to 2019 research .
If you have diabetes, work with a healthcare professional to make sure your blood sugar levels are well-managed. If you have a suppressed immune system, a doctor can recommend ways to help keep your immune system as healthy as possible.
If left untreated, a penile yeast infection can lead to some serious complications.
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Can Yeast Infections Be Prevented Or Avoided
Here are some things you can do to help prevent a yeast infection:
- Dont wear tight-fitting clothing or clothing made out of synthetic material.
- Wear cotton panties.
- Dont wear pantyhose or leotards every day.
- Use your blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry your genital area after you bathe or shower and before getting dressed.
- Change out of wet swimsuits or other damp clothes as soon as you can.
- Avoid using colored or perfumed toilet paper.
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.
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