Yeast infection is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. Candida causes this infection. There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Under certain conditions, they cause infections, particularly in warm and moist areas. Different yeast infections are vaginal yeast infections, thrush, skin and diaper rash, and nailbed infections. Usually your skin effectively blocks yeast, but any breakdown or cuts in the skin may allow this organism to penetrate.
There are various ways to cure yeast infection. Home remedies and natural cures are present to treat yeast infection. You can also resort to chemical medicines. It depends what you choose and what your infection stage is. If you like to use natural and home remedies and do not like to go for systemic drugs, then try the natural ones. But before that find out what is the infection type. If it is acute and serious, them go to a physician. You may like to treat the infected part only and not the whole body with systemic drugs or you may like to use such drugs instead of touching your vaginal areas. The choice is on the situation.
Yeast infection become resistant to medicines at a later stage. If it is resistant to normal treatment, then you may require a special treatment. So it is always better to consult your doctor.
In chemical method medicines are used to remove and cure yeast infection.
Antifungal Medications
Yeast is a fungus, so treatment involves an anti-fungal medication. Various anti-fungal vaginal medications are available to treat yeast infection. They are anti-fungal creams, anti-fungal suppositories, and anti-fungal tablets. Several vaginal creams are available over the counter. Sometimes a doctor prescribes an oral medication if the condition is very severe or not responding to cream treatment. If you are using an oral medication or a vaginal cream, you may also need a topical vaginal cream to soothe the discomfort until the infection has been properly treated.
Vaginal yeast infection and vulvitis may be treated with antifungal medications that are applied topically in and around the vagina. You can also use antifungal medications taken by mouth. Sometimes due to mixed infections you may require combinations of treatments. You will find several topically applied antifungal creams like butoconazole (Femstat 3), clotrimazole (Lotrimin), miconazole (Monistat), and terconazole (Terazol 3). The over-the-counter topical treatments are an option for some women when yeast is the cause of the infection. If over-the-counter products do not cure infection, you should see their doctor for evaluation. Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), miconazole (Monistat; Micatin), terconazole (Terazol), and nystatin (Mycostatin) are other antifungal medications that are also available as vaginal tablets.
Oral medications for yeast vaginitis and vulvitis include fluconazole (Diflucan). Your doctor may prefer to treat vaginal yeast infections with vaginal tablets or suppositories rather than oral medications. It is because the oral antifungal medication can cause side effects such as headache, nausea, and abdominal pain, while vaginal treatment is unlikely to cause these side effects. You should not use oral antifungal medications during pregnancy. All women with the symptoms of infection described above should be treated.
Natural Treatment
Natural cure uses dietary changes and use of hers to cure you of yeast infection. Dietary changes are essential in the treatment of yeast infection.
Foods to eat: vegetables, nuts, seeds, and oils
Foods to moderate: whole grains, brown rice, oats, and barley
Foods to avoid: sugar, packaged and processed foods, yeast breads and pastries, mushrooms and truffles, most condiments and sauces etc.
Natural herbs
Several herbs are beneficial and can cure yeast infection easily. These herbs are to be used both externally and internally.
Take a baths with several drops Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia). Vaginal douching with tea infusion of one or both of the Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) or Oregon Grape Root (Mahonia aqjuifolium) is beneficial.
Other natural treatments can be done with boric acid/borax, cranberries, garlic, hydrogen peroxide, potassium Sorbate, tea tree Oil, yogurt, Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), cat's claw etc.
If you follow your doctor’s medications and keep your body clean, Yeast infection will never be a big problem for you.