No-one enjoys the experience of getting a yeast infection but unfortunately they are a common thing men and women have to deal with, but more often women. The itching and burning can drive a person crazy and make the top priority on your mind to get a yeast infection treatment. But even if you are one of the lucky women for whom the over the counter treatments work, you are still only treating those symptoms and so your relief is likely to be temporary. Without treating the root cause the infection us likely to return. But there are ways to prevent this.
As well as the itching that gradually gets worse, and the burning mentioned women also face symptoms that include pain, redness and swelling. All of this is due to a fungus called Candida Albicans overgrowing. It lives on all of us in controlled small numbers by good bacteria and does us no harm. But there are triggers that lead to a lack of balance which the fungus takes advantage of and rapidly multiplies. This leads to the yeast infection.
The ideal place for the yeast to breed in is damp and warm areas of the body, making the vagina a particularly favorite spot for them. One thing you can do to help avoid a yeast infection is to look at your clothing. Tight clothes keep an area warm and damp as no air can circulate. Cotton panties are best as they allow the skin to breathe. Also when in wet clothing, such as a bathing suit or workout clothes, dry and change as soon as you can.
There are also foods that can help prevent an infection and foods to avoid as they promote an infection. Avoid sugar most importantly as it is a primary food source for the fungus and helps it grow. Also avoid processed and refined foods like white flour. Probiotic plain yogurt is a great food to eat more of as it contains the good bacteria your body needs to fight the fungus. Check the label and make sure the yogurt has Lactobacillus Acidophil in it.
Some birth control pills upset the balance of hormones and can be a trigger, as can some antibiotics. Some antibiotics when you take them will destroy the good bacteria that you want to keep along with the bad bacteria. Exercise, sleep well and lead a healthy lifestyle to improve your immune system.
Do not use perfumed or harsh chemicals on the vagina and avoid certain lubricants and spermicides such as Nonoxinol. These are used on some condoms so read the packaging. Birth control pills may also be a trigger as they are changing the natural balance of hormones.
For more info on how to deal with candida, check out our yeast infection home remedy website, where you can find plenty of information on the subject. Today’s special: recurring yeast infections