Although not the most popular topic for public discussions, yeast infections are a very common affliction which can be very irritating. Women need information on how to prevent and treat yeast infections from reliable sources. The following article will cover a variety of helpful ways you can avoid a yeast infection, and what to do if you get one.
Apple cider vinegar is a great ingredient that you can use to help fight the symptoms when you already have a yeast infection. If you are going to consume this product, make sure that you dilute it heavily with water as you should only be using one teaspoon to drink with.
Avoid wearing any clothes that contain irritating or synthetic fibers, as it can be what leads to yeast infections. The infection occurs when clothing is moist or wet, thus providing the perfect thriving environment for the yeast fungus. Consider wearing clothes made from real cotton, as it gives your body room to breathe.
If you are prone to yeast infections, always wear underwear made from 100 percent cotton fabric, or at least make sure the crotch is cotton. Polyester and other synthetic fabrics can trap moisture, which allows yeast to thrive. Because cotton is breathable, it leaves you feeling drier and does not contribute to a yeast-friendly environment.
Stay away from anything tight. Tight underwear, tight jeans and tight pantyhose can all cause excessive moisture and sweating. They also increase your body temperature, which makes it a fertile ground for bacteria growth that can lead to a yeast infection. Instead, wear loose fighting clothing when at all possible.
Avoid tight-fitting pants and shorts. A yeast infection will thrive in a warm environment, and tight-fitting clothing can make you more prone to heat build up and sweating. Avoid this by wearing loose, relaxed pants and shorts, or wear skirts that will help to keep you cool as the day wears on.
Don’t douche. Your vagina produces natural beneficial bacteria, which help fend off harmful types. Douching removes all bacteria, which can allow harmful types to get a foothold and take up residence. Douching can also disrupt your body’s natural PH balance, leading to irritation. Normal bathing and hygiene is all your body needs to stay fresh and clean.
Avoid douching or washing inside of the vagina, as it not only kills off harmful bacteria, but also good ones. Taking douching one step too far can also wash away the protective lining of the vagina, which leaves you more prone to yeast as well as other types of vaginal infections.
A great home remedy for relief of the symptoms of a yeast infection is apple cider vinegar. Be careful to never apply straight vinegar to your vagina, it will kill the yeast but will very painful. Putting about a cup and a half in your bathwater for a nice hot soak will bring instant relief.
A common cause of a yeast infection in a woman is the kind of condom the man wears during sexual intercourse. Condoms that have a lubricant can cause bacteria that allow yeast infections to form. If this is the case for you, try to use a condom that does not have a spermicidal lubricant.
Keep dry. Yeast thrives in a warm, moist environment. After you finish your shower or bath, make sure you dry your crotch area thoroughly. Some women even find a blow dryer on the lowest setting to be useful for this purpose. Never put on any clothing until the area is completely dry.
To help combat a yeast infection, use yogurt. The good bacteria in yogurt can help you find relief from a yeast infection, either eaten or applied externally. Just be sure to get yogurt that is plain and unsweetened. Any variety with sugar is only going to make the condition worse.
If you are suffering from yeast infections, consider making changes to your diet. Diets high in sugar and processed foods offer the perfect environment inside the body for yeast. Sometimes finding the solution is as easy as reducing processed foods and sugars, and consuming a whole food diet instead.
Keep the chemicals you use for personal cleansing to a minimum or less, if you want to avoid yeast infections. Such chemicals will strip your body of its natural PH balance, and ability to control yeast. Check with your doctor to learn what the most effective products are that won’t leave you vulnerable.
Yeast infections can make going out into the world a very uncomfortable experience. Learning how to prevent and treat them with good information is vital to women prone to yeast infection, of those just seeking healthy ways to avoid getting them. Hopefully this article has shown you a number of ways you can keep your self free from this bothersome condition.
Yeast Infections: Helpful Tips To Cure Them was originally published on Spring