Yeast Infection : A Practical Guide To Treating And Preventing Yeast Infections

A Practical Guide To Treating And Preventing Yeast Infections

A common health problem experienced by many Americans is a yeast infection. If you have been diagnosed with one, or you just want to know how to avoid them, you need to educate yourself on their symptoms and causes. The following article will tell you what you need to know.

Garlic is a great remedy for fighting against yeast infections. Its natural ingredients combat the harmful bacterias that cause yeast infection. If you are not a big fan of eating garlic, you could also take a garlic supplement; many health foods stores have a wide variety of garlic supplements to take orally.

Never assume that you can not get a yeast infection. While commonly associated with vaginal areas, yeast infections can occur in the mouth and on the skin. That means that even men can have them. Any skin area that is normally dark and moist, such as armpits or under flaps of drooping skin are potential targets.

Garlic is a great natural remedy, and it has proven effective in fighting yeast infections. Create a garlic tampon by tying string to a couple of cloves and inserting it into the vagina. Leave it in for a couple of hours, and relief will typically come. The antifungal properties of the garlic have a healing effect and can effectively combat troublesome yeast.

Think about what kind of medications you are using. Certain medications, especially antibiotics, can greatly increase the risk of developing a yeast infection. Other medications, like steroids and oral contraceptives, also increase the chance of developing a yeast infections. See if your doctor can recommend medications that are less likely to cause a yeast infection.

One thing you can do to help prevent any yeast infections from developing is to reduce the amount of stress in your life. Studies have shown that people who are highly stressed have an increased likelihood of getting yeast infections than those that have their stress under control.

If you find yourself suffering from chronic yeast infections, you might need to avoid foods that are high in yeast and mold. If your body is already having a difficult time warding off yeast, you don't want to aggravate that condition by consuming more yeast and mold. Foods to avoid would include things like dried fruits, melons, peanuts and most cheeses.

Take steps to boost your immune system if you are prone to chronic yeast infections. If your body's defenses are strong, you will be better able to ward off yeast infections. Therefore, try to improve your overall health. Exercise more, quit smoking, take a multivitamin and avoid sweets to help improve your body's immune system and avoid yeast infections.

If you are prone to yeast infections, do not use products like douches, powders or deodorant sprays. These products contain perfumes that can cause yeast infections. If you douche, you could spread the forming yeast infection well into your uterus and cervix. If vaginal odor is a problem, talk to your doctor about treatments that do not contain perfumes.

Try to reduce your stress levels. Too much stress can weaken your immune system and leave you more susceptible to yeast infections. Try to avoid stress as a preventative measure. If you are currently suffering from a yeast infection, remaining too stressed out might exacerbate your infection. Practice some calming activities.

Support the immune function of your body by eating a nutritious diet. Some studies indicate eating foods with active cultures, such as yogurt, can help combat or prevent a yeast infection. Too much sugar can also make your body susceptible to developing a yeast infection, because there is some evidence that yeast feeds on sugar.

Be careful with antibiotic use. Antibiotics disrupt your body's natural balance of good and bad bacteria. When you use antibiotics, you are actually more likely to get a yeast infection for that reason. When you use antibiotics, be sure to eat yogurt at least once a day to keep your bacteria in balance.

Drinking apple-cider vinegar should help your body fight the yeast infection. If you cannot stand the strong taste, mix the vinegar in some water and add sugar to it. Do not apply apple-cider vinegar directly to your skin: even though it will efficiently treat your yeast infection, it will worsen the burning sensation.

The beneficial bacteria that is found in plain yogurt can be a natural yeast fighter. Yogurt can be applied topically, but some find it a bit messy and prefer to ingest it instead. It is essential that you purchase plain, unsweetened yogurt, because the sugars in sweetened yogurt can actually feed the yeast and cause it to flourish.

Be aware that although certain medications may help you, others can increase your chances of getting a yeast infections. For instance, when you take an antibiotic when you are sick, bad bacteria is being killed, but so is good bacteria that helps fight against yeast infections. If this becomes an issue for you, speak with your doctor.

The best way to avoid a vaginal yeast infection is to avoid getting one in the first place. Prevention starts with cleanliness, so wash thoroughly and make sure to dry thoroughly too. Bacteria grows in a warm, moist envinronment so make extra efforts in warm weather to wash, dry, and prevent moisture.

For a natural way to fight a mild yeast infection, turn to your pantry for a clove of garlic. You can create a suppository with the garlic by nicking it with a knife and inserting it into the vagina overnight. If you are worried about retrieving it, use a needle to pull a piece of string through the clove. If you experience any irritation, remove the clove promptly.

If you use panty liners or pads, change them often. Don't try to save money by making a pad or liner last longer than it should; the risk of yeast infection is not worth it. Especially after exercise, it is important to put on fresh protection. The moist and warm conditions facilitated by a sweaty pad are the prime breeding ground for yeast.

As with many health problems, too many people try to ignore yeast infections, or are unaware of what can cause them. Once you know more about this condition, it will be easier to deal with should you develop a yeast infection. Just remember what you have learned from this article.