What Causes Vaginal Candidiasis
The yeast, Candida Albicans, is the most common cause of vaginal candidiasis. Yeasts are a type of fungus.
Factors that may cause a disruption in the balance of bacteria and yeast include:
- Using vaginal douches or vaginal sprays
- Wearing tight underwear and synthetic clothes that dont breathe.
Although vaginal yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted infection, sexual intercourse can trigger or spread them. Women who arent sexually active can also get them. Some women are prone to yeast infections and get them relatively regularly.
What Causes Recurring Yeast Infections
About 5 to 8 percent of women experience four or more yeast infections in a single year, a condition known as recurrent or chronic yeast infections.
It’s not clear why some women get chronic or recurring yeast infections, but there are several risk factors that can predispose you to it, such as pregnancy, birth control pills, estrogen therapy, regular antibiotic use, diabetes, and conditions that affect your immune system, particularly HIV.
Treatments used for normal yeast infections are effective if your recurring yeast infections are caused by C. albicans.
But some infections are caused by other Candida species, such as C. glabrata, which may require treatment with a Mycostatin vaginal cream or tablet, a vaginal gel containing the antifungals amphotericin B and flucytosine, or another treatment.
Are There Any Side Effects Or Safety Concerns For Yeast Infection Treatments
Most pills and topical creams come with their fair share of side effects, though theyre not super common. Some side effects include:
- flaking of the skin
If youre pregnant, you should see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment since some OTC antifungal creams may cause birth defects.
If you notice any side effects, stop taking the OTC treatment and see a doctor.
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How Do Candidiasis Medications Work
The treatment for this infection varies with the severity of the case or the symptoms displayed. These treatments are prescribed to eliminate harmful yeast or candida that caused the infection. There are many different types of candidiasis medication.
First, there are the traditional pills or oral treatments, which patients can take over a few days until their infection is gone. Vaginal creams are also a common option. They are meant to be applied to the affected areas to eliminate the harmful yeast and prevent the infection from recurring.
How Can You Prevent Vaginal Candidiasis
Eating natural, unsweetened yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus may help prevent yeast infections occurring.
The risk of yeast infections may also be lessened by staying hydrated and urinating when the need arises, not holding it in.
Women should wipe from front to back after a bowel movement, urinate before and after sex, and avoiding using douches, vaginal sprays, and scented feminine hygiene products.
They should also avoid wearing restrictive, synthetic clothing, or change out of such clothing as soon as possible after exercising or swimming.
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Essential Oil Of Oregano
Common oregano, or Origanum marjoram, is what you usually find in your grocery stores spice section. However, the oil of oregano used to treat yeast infections is not the same type.
Look for oregano oil made from wild oregano, or Origanum vulgare.
A 2017 study found oregano essential oil to be effective in altering the growth of C. Albicans.
Never ingest essential oils. Essential oils are meant to be inhaled as part of aromatherapy. While some studies are examining other ways to use essential oil of oregano, experts recommend diluting it in a carrier oil, such as olive or sweet almond oil, at this time.
How To Treat A Yeast Infection On Your Skin
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support , Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support , Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee in 2006.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 140,674 times.
Treating a yeast infection on your skin is simple, and most infections clear up after a few weeks. Yeast grows naturally in and on your body, but sometimes your system has an imbalance that leads to a yeast infection. If you get one, you’ll want immediate relief. While the infection is bothersome, it’s also highly treatable if you identify a yeast infection, address the causes, and apply topical treatments.
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
It helps to see a doctor if the symptoms are severe or unusual. If the problem is related to a tight foreskin, circumcision may be recommended.
If you decide to self treat and OTC treatments don’t work, or the yeast infection recurs, its important to see a doctor for an evaluation.
There may be an underlying cause for the infection, including undiagnosed diabetes, an underactive thyroid , HIV, or penile cancer.
Possible Complications Of A Yeast Infection While Pregnant
If you have a vaginal yeast infection when you give birth, the baby can catch it. When the baby passes through the birth canal, it comes into contact with all the yeast fungi.
You can usually see symptoms of an oral yeast infection in infants by looking in their mouth. White, pillowy sores can be found on the tongue and inside the cheeks of infants infected with yeast fungi, also known as oral thrush.
This can cause issues, especially if the infant is breastfed. Oral thrush can cause your baby to resist feeding due to pain in the mouth. They can also spread it to the mother, causing extreme discomfort and pain in the nipples and breasts.
While uncomplicated oral thrush in infants is relatively common and easy to treat, it can be difficult to totally eliminate the fungus. Thatâs because the mother and infant can reinfect each other if one still carries the fungus, even after taking medication.
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Complications And Side Effects Of A Yeast Infection
If your yeast infection remains untreated for a long time it could develop into complications. Here are some signs that may show you are developing a complication:
- Symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching become so severe that it causes tears or sores
- A recurrence of a yeast infection four or more times in one year
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Fluconazole comes as a tablet and a suspension to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day, with or without food. You may need to take only one dose of fluconazole, or you may need to take fluconazole for several weeks or longer. The length of your treatment depends on your condition and on how well you respond to fluconazole. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fluconazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may tell you to take a double dose of fluconazole on the first day of your treatment. Follow these directions carefully.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with fluconazole. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Continue to take fluconazole until your doctor tells you that you should stop, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking fluconazole without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking fluconazole too soon, your infection may come back after a short time.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
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How Is Yeast Infection Treated
Your healthcare provider will consider your age, overall health, how widespread the infection is and other factors to determine your treatment.
Yeast infections can be easily treated with ointments or other anti-yeast creams.
- Yeast infection in the mouth may be treated with a medicated mouthwash. Or it may be treated with lozenges that dissolve in the mouth.
- If you have a severe infection and have a weak immune system, you may need to take an oral anti-yeast medicine.
- Esophageal yeast infections are usually treated with oral or intravenous anti-yeast medicines.
- Yeast infections of the nails are treated with an oral anti-yeast medicine.
- Yeast infections in the skin folds can be treated with anti-yeast powders.
How To Choose A Yeast Infection Over The Counter
To choose the perfect yeast infection over the counter, youll want to:
- Do you want what type of product? Are you buying a product?
- Measure the space: Theres nothing worse than falling in love with yeast infection over the counter only to discover it wont fit!
- Think about aesthetics: Does colour matter to you?
- Read reviews and talk with friends: Knowledge is power! Other yeast infection over the counter users can be a helpful source of information about how well a mat holds up and whether there are any downsides, which you should know before purchasing.
- Do some bargain shopping: Coupons and sales can help you save money, so you can spend it on something else youd enjoy.
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When To Contact A Doctor
A person should contact a doctor if they suspect that they have a yeast infection. The symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. The doctor can properly diagnose and treat a yeast infection.
If a yeast infection does not clear up with treatment, the person should seek further medical advice. They may need to adjust their medications to treat any itching and discomfort.
Identifying A Yeast Infection
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Vaginal Yeast Infection
There are several tell-tale signs of a vaginal yeast infection. These symptoms can include:
- A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese.
- Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva because of fragile skin in the area.
- A burning feeling when you pee.
In some cases, another symptom of a vaginal yeast infection can be pain during sex.
Symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to the symptoms people feel when they have a sexually transmitted infection or other vaginal infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms so they can examine you.
When Is A Longer
When treating complicated vaginal yeast infections, an initial treatment is typically followed by maintenance treatment. In the initial phase of treatment,
- creams or suppositories are used for 1 to 2 weeks, or
- instead, one oral tablet is taken every three days for about a week.
This is usually followed by maintenance treatment, where you take one antifungal tablet per week over a period of six months. If you cant take tablets for instance, due to a pregnancy or interactions with other drugs you can use only creams or suppositories for the whole treatment period.
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How Are Yeast Infections Diagnosed
Your vet will start by examining your dog. This could include looking down his ears with an auroscope , as well as checking his skin and paws.
Samples are sometimes taken for analysis. Cytology can be performed, where samples of skin or ear wax are examined under the microscope. This allows your vet to see the yeasts, as well as any bacteria. Swabs may be taken for culture to check for any concurrent bacterial infections. Your vet will also be looking to rule out other causes of skin disease such as parasites.
What Is Penile Candidiasis
The most common cause of penile candidiasis is the fungus Candida albicans. Candida is present in the human body but is usually well controlled by the immune system.
On occasion, however, the fungus can overgrow if the immune system is suppressed or the natural balance of microorganisms on the skin is disrupted.
Some people with penile candidiasis have no symptoms. Those that do may experience:
- Genital itchiness
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The Claim: Oral Antifungal Medications Can Clear Up Stubborn Yeast Infections
Is it legit? Definitely. Fluconazole is an oral antifungal medication used to stop the growth of yeast, explains Dr. Wider. Its often used if over-the-counter creams dont work, or for people with recurring infection, she says. Its a pill that has a very good success rate.
Try it: If you have a yeast infection that wont quit, talk to your doctor about going on fluconazole. Two 150-milligram pills taken three days apart is a common treatment for a yeast infection, says Sherry Ross, MD, an ob-gyn in Santa Monica and author of She-ology. For milder infections, your doctor may recommend one 150-milligram dose, but for severe or chronic infections, treatment regimens using fluconazole can be taken daily or weekly for six months, she says.
If you have a yeast infection that wont quit, talk to your doctor. He or she will be able to determine whether it is yeast at all, and then prescribe the most effective medication.
Medication For Treating Yeast Infections
Standard medicines for yeast infections are all a part of the class of antifungal drugs called azoles. They include:
Treatments last one, three, or seven days, all of which are equally effective. Unless you have an allergic reaction to the medication, side effects are generally mild.
You should not use tampons while using the suppositories and creams. You should also avoid condoms and diaphragms because the medicines contain oil, which can degrade the contraceptives.
Having sex while being treated for a yeast infection is not generally recommended because it may worsen symptoms and cause micro-tears in your skin that increase your risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease.
Diflucan is a prescription pill for yeast infections. Most women only require a single dose of the medication to clear their yeast infection, but fluconazole is not recommended for pregnant women due to a potential risk of harming the developing baby.
Fluconazole may cause mild and infrequent side effects, such as headache, rash, and upset stomach. More rarely, severe side effects may develop, such as flu-like symptoms, swelling, and seizures.
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How Is A Yeast Infection Diagnosed
If you suspect you may have a vaginal yeast infection, you should visit a healthcare professional for a diagnosis. Although in some cases it is possible to self-diagnose a yeast infection, it is important to understand the severity of the infection and gain access to the appropriate treatment through a physician. If you suspect you have a yeast infection, you will want to avoid douching, using tampons, and having sexual intercourse before your appointment, so your healthcare provider can make a proper assessment.
You can visit either your primary healthcare provider or an OB/GYN for a diagnosis. During your visit, the healthcare professional will take a small sample of the vaginal discharge. This sample will either be evaluated in the office or sent to a lab to be checked under a microscope for the presence of Candida. According to the CDC, this doesnt always mean a yeast infection is occurring, as Candida can be present without symptoms. Your healthcare professional will work with you to determine whether or not you have a yeast infection.
What To Know Before You Buy A Yeast Infection Treatment
Candidiasis medication come in different forms and dosages. Before making the purchase, patients must consider the severity of their infection. Medication unsuitable for a patients present condition may only cause more harm.
Mild cases of the infection can be treated in the following ways:
One-day and multi-day treatments There are many OTC medications on the market. Most of these medications can be purchased without a prescription, as they are only used to treat minor cases of candidiasis.
Oral treatments You can usually heal mild cases of candidiasis through a single dosage of strong medication. The best candidiasis medication used in single-dose cases is fluconazole or Diflucan, which You can only purchase with a prescription.
A patient should monitor her condition to assess whether the treatments have been beneficial, harmful, or have done nothing. More severe cases of infection may require more vigorous and lengthy treatments. If symptoms persist after a prolonged time, it may be time to contact a medical professional to obtain a prescription for stronger medication.
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