Armor Yourself against Yeast Infection

Having yeast infection is not exactly a pleasurable experience. It is itchy and smelly, leaving you generally uncomfortable and not to mention the social stigma that is attached to it. However, being a rather unpredictable disease, it is very hard to steer clear of it. What makes it even worse is that it can be a recurring condition; so getting yeast infection once is by no means an assurance that you will never have it again.

What causes yeast infection in the first place? The condition can be brought about by a lot of factors ‘ pregnancy, a high sugar diet, steroid, oral contraceptive or antibiotic use, and douching, to name a few. The items may seem unrelated at first glance. However, if you put more thought into it, you would see a common thread: All the factors somehow contribute to the creation of an environment that is suitable for the overgrowth of yeast cells.

So, how does one prevent this from happening over and over again? Here are a few easy tips on armoring yourself against yeast infection:

‘ Regularly wash of your vaginal area preferably with a feminine wash that has a slightly acidic pH. The naturally acidic environment of the vagina keeps the normal flora in check.

‘ Thoroughly dry your vaginal area, as well as elsewhere, before getting dressed after a shower. Microorganisms love a moist environment.

‘ Wear panties made of cotton rather than spandex. Cotton allows air to flow through the area more freely, keeping it from becoming too sweaty.

‘ Always wipe with a front to back motion after using the toilet. Doing it the other way around would only bring bacteria from the anal area to your vagina and urethra. This has also been known to cause urinary tract infections.

‘ Use antibiotics only when needed. Antibiotics may wipe out colonies of beneficial bacteria aside from the harmful ones, leaving the causative organism for yeast infection (which is Candida albicans) to proliferate uncontrollably.

‘ If you are using oral contraceptives and have been experiencing recurrent episodes of yeast infection, consult your doctor because you may need to switch to another brand or adopt an entirely different method for contraception.

‘ Include foods that contain a high amount of beneficial bacteria in your diet, like yogurt and fermented food. Drinking cranberry juice also helps.

Sounds simple enough, right? These tips will definitely keep yeast infection at bay. So say goodbye to the itchies and smellies and say hello to a cleaner, more comfortable you!

Quick Fixes for Yeast Infection

Having yeast infection is, without a doubt, a very uncomfortable experience. Too bad it is not just a one-time affliction. If you are not too careful, this can happen over and over again.

Fortunately, most yeast infections, especially the superficial ones, can be treated at home with prescription antifungal medication. Some can even be bought over-the-counter, without needing any prescription. Symptoms usually abate within a week. If they persist, however, or if other symptoms arise, never hesitate to see your doctor for a consult.

There is a wide selection of antifungal medications out in the market today. Options include topical lotions and creams, oral pills and troches (lozenges), and vaginal suppositories.
Antifungal medications usually end with the suffix “-azole.” They work to impede the cells’ production of the compound ergosterol, which is a very vital component of the yeast cell wall. They attach to the cell wall’s building center for ergosterol and then form holes on the cell wall itself, rendering it weak and unable to hold its contents and the yeast cell eventually dies.

The more common forms of yeast infection are vaginal candidiasis, oral thrush, and diaper rash.
For vaginal candidiasis, treatment may include the application of a topical cream into the vagina and on the surrounding tissues. Commonly used creams include Miconazole (Monistat-Derm or Monistat Vaginal), Clotrimazole (Femizole-7 or Gyne-Lotrimin), Tioconazole (Vagistat Vaginal), and Butoconazole (Femstat). A one-time oral dose of Flucanazole may also work as well as vaginal suppositories and medicated douches.
With thrush, gargling with an antifungal mouthwash, preferably Nystatin, is an option. Antifungal lozenges and oral pills are another. Excellent oral hygiene is also a must. This includes taking out your dentures and cleaning them thoroughly after each use.

If your baby has the infection, extra care must be taken because manipulation of the patches can be painful and may cause the area to bleed. Objects that were placed in the child’s mouth must be sterilized after every use. Likewise, if your child is being breast fed, mothers should also have themselves checked for the development of Candida on the breast.

For skin and diaper rashes, Clotrimazole lotions and creams may be applied to the affected areas. Diapers should be changed frequently and the skin exposed to air momentarily with each change. These areas should also be kept as dry as possible. The use of barrier creams may also be beneficial.
However, one should always keep in mind that self-treatment can only do so much. Again, if symptoms persist for more than a week or if symptoms that indicate systemic involvement appear, see your doctor right away because these may be indicate a more serious condition.