How To Cure A Yeast Infection
Our body is a large habitat to many bacteria and fungi that help us sustain our physiological functions though their chemical operations. They are usually present in small numbers, however certain changes can cause their growth. This leads to various infections such as vaginal yeast infection or candidiasis of the skin.
Most of these infections are harmless. However, in a day to day life anything that causes discomfort is a hindrance to our daily activities. Vaginal yeast infection is by far the most common infection associated with yeast, which affects up to 75% of all women at some point in their lives.
It is caused by the organism candida albicans and can lead to itching, burning and pain associated with discharge or intercourse. These fungi only affect the body once they are in a large quantity. A high sugar intake or diabetes can allow the fungi to grow at an unnatural rate. A weaker immune system will also allow more fungi and bacteria to survive leading to an infection. Obesity has also been seen as a reason causing yeast infections, as this allows moisture and warmth for the fungi to reproduce.
As most of the symptoms associated with yeast infections are clearly visible or detectable, it is not a difficult medical condition to cure overall.
Many home remedies and medications have been made to cure this problem. However if a person is experiencing such a problem for the first time, it is recommended to visit the doctor to make sure it is not a more serious issue that requires a different treatment.
Pregnant women are also not advised to treat such infections on their own, as medication would have to be approved by the doctor to ensure that no harm comes to the mother or the child. Before deciding to treat yourself with home remedies, it is also necessary to notice the frequency of the infections.
If a person is getting yeast infections often, especially four or more infections a year, doctors call it “recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.” This requires treatment for up to 6 months with an antifungal medication and if self-treated it can lead to an even worse condition. Recurrent occurring of yeast infections can also insinuate the presence of other medical conditions such as diabetes.
It is often advised that eating yogurt with live creatures such as lactobacillus acidophilus can help prevent yeast infections. This will maintain the bacteria-yeast balance that helps control the growth of the yeast preventing the infection. Oregano oil and tea tree oil can also be applied to infected areas, which will help cope with the burning and itching, and assist in maintaining a healthy balance of flora in the vagina.
If home remedies cannot work, medications such as Butoconazole, Nystatin, Ketoconazole, Fluconazole can help prevent or kill the growth of fungi.
Other than vaginal yeast infections, skin candidiasis is also a common way of how fungi affect our body. The main symptom of skin candidiasis is a rash that often causes redness and intense itching. The rash can affect various parts of the body such as the armpits, groins, between fingers, under the breasts or even at the edges of nails.
As unexpected as it may sound this issue can even reach your nails. So if you want to keep your beautiful nails (don’t we all?), then pay attention to these direct and indirect risks to your health.
The major cause for skin candidiasis is an imbalance of bacteria-yeast. Antibiotics that kill bacteria, which keep the Candida under control, can lead to such infections. A weakened immune system, dry damp skin and warm weather can favor the growth of yeast.
It is important to understand these factors, so that you can prevent the over growth of yeast and avoid these infections.
Creams, ointments and pills are on the market to kill the yeast and improve on the rashes or itching caused by the infection. It is best however to manage the bacteria-yeast balance in the body to prevent such infections altogether.