Yeast Infection Home Remedies | The Most Popular Treatments

Yeast Infection home remedies are simple natural ways you can prepare at home to overcome one or more of these reasons and help you to feel better.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

Vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a common fungal condition. A healthy vagina in normal conditions contains bacteria and some yeast cells but when the balance of bacteria and yeast changes, the result is unpleasant as yeast cells can multiply. This results in intense itching, swelling, and irritation.

-Treating a vaginal yeast infection isn't serious and can relieve symptoms within a few days. It may take up to 2 weeks in more severe cases.

-Vaginal yeast infections aren’t underlying sexually transmitted infections (STI), commonly known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Before Trying Yeast Infection Home Remedies:

It's important to get the right diagnosis first before trying Yeast Infection home remedies as other types of infections like bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases can be easily mistaken for yeast infections. If you are unsure of what you are complaining about, please see your gynecologist before trying Yeast Infection Home Remedies.

Types of Yeast Infection

-There are many types of yeast infections, but all happen when an area of the body becomes infected with yeast-like fungi called candida.

- This fungus multiplies in warm, moist, folded areas of the skin, such as the groin, under the armpits, or breast.

-There are different types of infections caused by the candida fungus, depending on two factors: the location on the body where it happens and the type of candida that is present. but in general, the yeast infection home remedies are almost the same and effective for all types.

The most common candida infections are:

1.Cutaneous Candidiasis

It happens when the body's skin is infected. The most typical places the candida will grow are nails, the skin between the fingers or toes, under the breasts, armpits, and around the groin. The main symptom is an itchy, red rash.

2.Diaper rash in babies

-It is caused by candida overgrowth, which happens when there is a moist environment from wet diapers helping candida to multiply.

- The main symptoms are small red dots and rash that appear between the creases of the skin to represent the infected area.

3.Oral thrush

Presents as white lesions on the insides of the cheeks or the tongue as candidiasis affects the lining of the mouth or throat.

Symptoms may also include pain while swallowing, bad breath, abnormalities in taste, and dryness of the mouth.

4.Vaginal yeast infections

The most common type of yeast infection, also called vulvovaginal candidiasis, happens when there is an overgrowth of the candida in the vagina.

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are inflammation, itchiness, irritation, and a thick, white vaginal discharge.

Examples of Yeast Infection Home Remedies:

1.Apple cider vinegar

The most popular yeast infection remedy is an apple cider vinegar bath.

-Vinegar has a lot of medicinal uses, some are proven by research more than others. When you mix a half cup of apple cider vinegar with a lukewarm bathtub and leave it for 20 minutes, the acidic property of the vinegar can kill any harmful microorganisms, including yeast.

-There is a difference between an apple cider vinegar bath and douching, as douching aims to flush out all bacteria (good and bad) from your vagina. Doing so leaves you more exposed to a recurrence of the yeast infection. So the advice does not to douche with apple cider vinegar; you can use it as a bath.

-Apple cider vinegar should be diluted in water before touching the skin. It's important as well to consider adding apple cider vinegar to your diet.

2.Garlic

Most yeast infection home remedies are available to prepare from your home kitchen, Garlic is the second choice here.

A 2005 lab study from a trusted Source showed that garlic can be an effective Candida killer. But there’s debate if it’ll help cure yeast infections outside of a lab setting.

If you’d like to try garlic to treat a yeast infection, it will be useful to add more garlic to your diet. Some people recommend inserting garlic in the vagina, but burns and significant pain have been experienced. It isn't a pleasant experience so you should stick with adding garlic to foods.

3. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a wide spectrum as it's a bacteria and yeast-killing antiseptic. Hydrogen peroxide is produced naturally by Lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina and is part of the biological activity against yeast.

There’s no strong research that supports the use of hydrogen peroxide to treat vaginal yeast infections. Do not use hydrogen peroxide as a douche. Adding it to a bath or diluting it with water may help in preventing yeast growth on the genitals.

Dilute a half cup of water with a half of hydrogen peroxide and mix before applying it to your genitals, and don’t use it for a long period.

4. Vitamin C

-Vitamin C is an immune system enhancer. A strong immune system allows your body to bring balance naturally.

-Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid) has an antimicrobial effect, so using Vitamin C as one of yeast infection home remedies is effective as prophylaxis so women add it to their food to treat Candida overgrowths.

Try increasing your intake of vitamin C to increase your body’s ability to fight yeast infection. Do not apply the acidic vitamin C directly to the sensitive vaginal tissue.

5.Tea tree oil

-Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). The oil is used for its ability to kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses.

-Some updated research from trusted Sources shows that inserting a suppository with tea tree oil into the vagina may help treat vaginal infections.

-The essential oil is also believed to maintain good bacteria that help a healthy balance in the vagina’s flora. Before using tea tree oil, dilute it with water, as it can irritate the skin if applied directly to the sensitive vaginal area.

Summary

Most yeast infection home remedies bring relief within a few days. Some may take up to a week.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if new symptoms appear at any time during yeast infection home remedies.

If your infection returns after treatment , contact your doctor for advice as you may need a prescription-support treatment.

Read about: Home Remedies

Written by: Dr/Amira Hefisha