Recurring Yeast Infection Treatment Options

Note: Recurring Yeast Infection Treatment Options is our third article in a series. See recurrent yeast infections for a list of our other articles that discuss general information, causes and symptoms.

If you suspect that you have some type of yeast infection and it's your very first one, you should consult your doctor for advice. If, however, you know the symptoms because you've had one before, we will discuss various remedies you can use to get rid of that recurrent yeast infection.

Whatever you do, don't ignore the symptoms and hope for the best. Yeast infections need sorting out before they turn into chronic yeast infections.

Tired of Those Yeast Infections Coming Back? Click Here to Get to the Root Cause and Find the Treatment That Will End Them Forever

Treatments for a recurrent yeast infection can be divided into three categories: natural home remedies, over the counter medications and prescription drugs.

Natural Remedies for a Recurring Yeast Infection:

• Yogurt – Live yogurt contains the friendly bacteria, lactobacillus acidophilus, which when consumed can kill excess yeast and prevent yeast infections. However, this friendly bacteria can also treat yeast infections when the yogurt is applied to the affected area.

Many women swear by using live yogurt on tampons to clear up recurring vaginal yeast infections and it can also be applied to skin yeast infections and male yeast infections.

• Garlic – Garlic is a natural antifungal and is recommended by many midwives to treat vaginal thrush in pregnancy. Women are advised to insert half a garlic clove, with a thread sewn through it, into the vagina overnight. Garlic capsules can also be used to treat yeast infections.

• Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is known as nature's own antifungal and is effective at treating yeast infections when diluted into a carrier oil like olive oil. Smear onto skin or apply to a tampon to treat yeast infections. For oral yeast infections, you can purchase a special tea tree mouthwash.

Take note that tea tree oil can cause stinging and irritation. Never use it at full strength and never take it internally. This is a bit controversial home remedy so take care if you decide to pursue this avenue.

• Boric Acid – Although not uncontroversial, some studies have concluded that using boric acid pessaries or suppositories can be just as effective at treating vaginal yeast infections as drugs like itraconazole and fluconazole. A boric acid and essential oil suppository product called “Yeast Arrest” is available or you could ask your pharmacist for boric acid suppositories. Do be careful if you use this option.

• Vinegar – Vinegar is another natural antifungal and white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be diluted with water (1-2 tablespoons to a pint of water) or a cup mixed with bath water to treat yeast infections. It can also be used on a tampon.

• Oil of Oregano – Oregano oil has natural antifungal properties and can be used for lots of different types of yeast infections. You can buy oral supplements at health food stores.

• Calendula cream – Calendula helps to ease the itching associated with yeast infections and is also an antifungal.

• Cranberry juice or supplements – Cranberry juice is used by women the world over to treat urinary tract infections and can also help prevent yeast infections.

• Probiotics – Probiotic supplements, drinks or yogurts contain lactobacillus acidophilus which helps to kill off excess yeast.

Over the Counter Medication for Recurring Yeast Infection

Over the counter yeast infection cures include creams, tablets, sprays, pessaries/suppositories and powders that contain active antifungal agents.

Both men and women can use the same cream to treat genital yeast infections. Brands include Lamisil, Monistat, Lotrimin, Micatin and Canesten which include active ingredients like miconazole, clotrimazole and terbinafine. All of these have been found to be effective at killing candida yeast.

These products are available in all sorts of treatment packs including “combi” packs for treating vaginal yeast infections, which contain a vaginal suppository or “ovule” and a cream to “double” treat the infection.

Many brands will have a number after them (1,3,7). This indicates how many days the treatment is for and the strength of the treatment. For instance, Monistat-1 is a one day treatment and has the strongest strength while Monistat-7 is a 7 day treatment and has the lowest strength.

It is important that you follow the instructions and that you continue treatment even after the symptoms have disappeared to protect yourself from reinfection. Canesten recommends using some type of treatment, e.g. a cream, for 2 weeks after the symptoms have gone.

Vagisil is an over the counter cream which does not treat the cause of the recurring yeast infection but which can be useful in alleviating the itching and burning symptoms.

Prescription Treatments for Recurring Yeast Infection

If you have tried the above natural remedies or OTC medication and still have a recurring yeast infection, you may want to go and see your doctor for prescription medication.

Prescriptions are much more potent and are usually effective at killing off the yeast. Since they are so potent, you may only want to use these with recurring yeast infections that have resisted all attempts at treatment.

However, do note that Candida can build up a resistance to drugs. So if you've been trying one remedy, you might want to try a different type of remedy and see if that will cure your yeast infection.

If your yeast infection is severe, your doctor is likely to recommend drugs like Nystatin, Diflucan (active ingredient fluconazole) or Nizoral (active ingredient ketaconazole) to kill off the yeast infection.

Diflucan is one of the most common medications used to treat recurring yeast infections. It is available as a one treatment oral tablet which can be enough to kill off the yeast infection in just that single treatment. However, always follow your doctor's advice and recommendations and make sure you inform your doctor if you are on any other medication or are using other treatments – you do not want to suffer any adverse reactions or side effects from mixing drugs.

Preventative Treatment for Recurring Yeast Infection

Once you have gotten rid of your recurring yeast infection, you should take preventative measures to stop it from coming back. There are simple steps you can take and they may make your life a whole lot more comfortable.

Measures include:

• wearing loose, cotton underwear
• avoiding harsh soaps and perfumed shower gel
• drying yourself thoroughly after bathing, removing damp swim wear immediately
• eating natural or live yogurt at least once a day and
• avoiding douching.

Treating yeast infections promptly and using preventative measures can help stop your suffering from a recurring yeast infection.

Tired of Those Yeast Infections Coming Back? Click Here to Get to the Root Cause and Find the Treatment That Will End Them Forever

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