Home Remedies for Diagnosing and Treating Yeast Infections

Diagnosis and Treatment for a Yeast Infection at Home

Why do yeast infections occur?

No one wants to talk about the taboo subject of yeast infections in women's health. On the other hand, vaginal yeast infections are very prevalent and frequently manageable. In fact, according to research from the US Centre for Disease Control, 75% of women will contract it at least once in their lives. Although often painless, these infections can nonetheless be quite unpleasant or even severe and may return over time if untreated. Additionally, if ignored for an extended length of time, the symptoms nearly always become worse, so get treated right away if you think you have an infection.

The signs to watch out for:

The most typical symptoms are itching, a burning feeling, and sometimes thicker-than-usual vaginal discharge. Rashes, redness, or irritation symptoms may also be present, either alone or in combination with edema. While urinating, you can experience discomfort or agony. Additionally, sexual activity becomes unpleasant. When your body experiences greater hormone swings, such as shortly before or just after your period, you are most likely to experience these symptoms.

What else could it be?

It is conceivable that you experience some of these symptoms without really having a yeast infection because there are several conditions that can cause the vaginal region to itch. Therefore, go through this checklist to verify whether any of these habits are the real cause of the discomfort before you start treating the illness.

• Using a dull razor to shave down there may create irritation. Use a fresh, sharp razor at all times, and take great care to avoid nicking yourself. Nicked skin hurts and increases your susceptibility to illnesses.
  
• External itching on your vulva is a sign of dermatitis, a type of skin irritation. You could simply have a superficial irritation if your itching doesn't appear to be coming from inside your vagina.
  
• If you tend to stay in damp clothing for extended periods of time or wear tight clothing frequently, the wet atmosphere may be the root of your itching.
  
• Lack of lubrication during intercourse may result in irritation from friction and dryness.
  
• A lubricant that contains certain alcohols or scents may irritate the vaginal region when used. Perhaps the problem arises because you just changed your lubricants.
  
• Douching is more detrimental than beneficial, in case you missed the memo. Thus, quit douching permanently.
  
• It may be the fresh aroma from your soap or detergent if you recently changed them. Fluctuating estrogen levels during menopause might alter the pH balance of your vagina and cause itching.
  
• Any feminine hygiene item, lubricant, or condom that has scent might harm the delicate vaginal walls. Stop allowing any kind of aroma to come in touch with your vagina.
  
• One of the most prevalent early symptoms of many sexually transmitted illnesses is itching. You should be tested as soon as you can if there is even a remote possibility that you have an STD.

Reasons why you shouldn't worry?

Vaginal yeast infections are very frequent and can afflict women of any age, despite the fact that they may seem like the end of the world at the time. You can take a number of actions to stop them, or at the very least slow down their development. Nevertheless, the infection itself frequently has nothing to do with your sexual hygiene or vaginal care, therefore it could not be your fault. It is not regarded as an STD even though it can be sexually transmitted since it can develop without any sexual activity.

Why do yeast infections occur?

A little quantity of the yeast-like Candida albicans, often known as Candida, is present in every healthy vagina. Additionally, your body has certain bacteria like lactobacillus acidophilus that inhibit the growth of this yeast. When the delicate equilibrium between these organisms is disturbed, an infection may result, at the very least from a yeast overgrowth.

The precise cause can differ from person to person, and a number of factors may be at play. But the most typical culprit is an odd foe: antibiotics. Antibiotics may be miracle cures for fevers, but there is a minor danger while eliminating bad bacteria, they may also accidentally kill certain good bacteria, which might lead to the uncontrolled growth of yeast.

An infection may also be brought on by high estrogen levels, therefore the explanation might be as straightforward as a hormonal imbalance either before or after your period. Additionally, consuming a diet rich in added sweets, sleeping irregularly, and experiencing high levels of stress can all increase your susceptibility.

What home remedies can you use?

It is usually advisable to wait for your symptoms to go away on their own if they are minor or are appearing for the first time. You may treat them with a number of over-the-counter medicines and home treatments if they don't go away. Using over-the-counter antifungal creams, suppositories, or pills to kill the extra yeast is the most popular method of treating yeast infections. Here are some treatments you may try if you'd prefer to start with natural products. It should be mentioned that home remedies are not advised if you are pregnant, nursing, or have diabetes. To treat your infection, please visit a doctor.

Apple Cider Liqueur:

The notion that apple cider vinegar is a magical remedy given from above has long been accepted. Your infection can be treated both orally and topically with ACV. ACV has antifungal properties and helps your vagina's pH balance return. It also promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, which reduces the creation of yeast.

A spoonful of ACV mixed with a glass of water or cup of tea and consumed on an empty stomach can be quite beneficial. Apply topical ACV to the afflicted region by dipping a cloth in ACV with an acidity level of less than 5%. Before washing it with water, let it sit for 30 minutes. Another option is to take a warm bath with a cup of ACV added to it.

Coconut oil:

Coconut oil contains antifungal capabilities to combat the yeast that causes infections and has a calming impact on sensitive and swollen skin.

Apply pure, organic coconut oil straight to the region that needs treatment. This can be done twice or three times each day without any negative side effects. Another option is to dab some coconut oil on a fresh tampon before inserting it.

Probiotics and yogurt:

Lactobacillus, a beneficial bacterium found in basic probiotic yogurt, aids in fighting yeast.

Eating plain, we stress plain, unflavored, sugar-free yogurt every day can be really

beneficial. You may even put it straight on the skin, however, you should be warned against doing so because there is no proof that it actually helps.

Boric acid:

Suppositories containing boric acid are frequently advised for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections. The Centres for Disease Control recommend that you use a 600 mg boric powder capsule once a day for up to 14 days to treat yeast infections. However, using these suppositories as a long-term remedy for recurrent infections is not advised. Do not ingest these tablets since they are harmful when taken orally.

Oil of tea tree:

The antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic qualities of tea tree oil are impressive. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil topically after combining it with honey or coconut oil. Tea tree oil is said to be strong in its undiluted form and might irritate the vagina, so avoid using it directly or putting it there. It is advised to test your skin's response to tea tree oil first if you have never used it previously. Apply diluted oil to a spot on your forearm, wait 12 hours, and look for any irritation symptoms.

Aloe vera:

Yeast infections can be treated with aloe vera thanks to its many advantageous characteristics. While internal use of aloe vera can help raise white blood cells, which assist your body fight yeast from within, pure aloe gel contains antifungal effects. Aloe vera juice may be safely consumed every day until you experience improvement. Any fruit juice may be made by adding 2 teaspoons of fresh aloe gel and blending it. You might also massage the afflicted region three times a day with pure aloe gel.

Peppermint oil:

Peppermint oil is a strong antifungal agent, similar to tea tree oil, but it is too bitter to be taken undiluted. Apply peppermint oil topically to the diseased region by combining a few drops with any carrier oil (such as coconut oil) or diluting in water. Even if peppermint tea is too mild to treat the illness on its own, drinking it every day can support other therapies and hasten the healing process.

Green tea:

Antioxidants included in green tea help your body more effectively fight off the illness. The quickest method to observe the effects is to regularly consume green tea. Additionally, you might chill down a used green tea bag in the refrigerator before placing it over the affected region to calm down the irritated skin. For comparable benefits, add loose green tea leaves to your bath.

Salt of Epsom:

Epsom salts are well-recognized for calming inflamed skin and for their ability to fight fungus. Instead of taking bubble baths, add one cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 10 to 15 minutes. This therapy should only be used three times per week at most; it is not advised to use it more frequently.

Garlic oil:

One of the most effective substances to treat yeast infections is oregano oil. Carvacrol and thymol are substances that inhibit yeast overgrowth by drying out Candida cells. Yeast does not develop resistance to it, making it one of the few components that may be used for extended periods of time without risk.  Drink a glass of water with 2-4 drops of oregano oil per day. You can raise this dosage to 5–6 drops after you can taste it. This can not only treat yeast infections but also stop them from coming back.

Additional measures you may take to avoid yeast infections:

• Because yeast grows best in humid conditions, it's important to keep the vaginal region always dry.
  
• For extended lengths of time, stay away from wearing constrictive clothing and pantyhose, especially if you anticipate perspiring.
  
•  Wear cotton pants on a daily basis instead of costly undergarments since cotton wicks away moisture.
  
• After a challenging exercise, we understand that you may feel like you deserve to rest and do nothing, but you need to quickly change out of your wet gym attire. Wet swimwear is the same.
  
•  Setting yourself up for failure mainly entails not changing your tampon or pad frequently enough. Regardless of the flow, it is advised that you replace it every four hours, even though the majority of manufacturers claim their product is safe to use for 6–8 hours.
  
• Any feminine hygiene product with scent, including vaginal sprays, lotions, and perfume, can irritate the region and disrupt the balance of bacteria and yeast.
  
• When having sex, be sure to use a water-based, fragrance-free lubricant, and always take a shower right away.
  
• Sugar is a food source for yeast, thus reducing your sugar intake can be quite beneficial.
  
• Never administer antibiotics on your own, and only take them as directed by a physician.

When should you visit a doctor?

Before attempting to cure the illness on your own, you should consult a gynecologist if your elevated estrogen levels are related to pregnancy or hormone therapy. You need to see a doctor for treatment if you have diabetes or HIV since you are more prone to infections.

Additionally, you should get medical assistance if your illness doesn't improve after receiving the first therapy if it worsens and develops rashes, fissures, or sores, or if it keeps coming back (four or more times per year). There is a probability that routine medicine, such as birth control pills, is producing a hormonal imbalance in the event of recurrent infections, which then results in infections. Don't forget to let your doctor know about any medications you are taking.