Women’s Health Vaginal Yeast Infection
Vaginal yeast infection severity varies from the superficial type such as the thrush or the vaginitis to the potentially life threatening systemic infections.
Except in severely immunocompromised person such as those who have cancer, have had transplant and has AIDS, common vaginal yeast infections are treatable. If the infection is only causing discomfort and is not severe, home remedies and avoidance of practices that may trigger the infection could treat this.
Common Causes
The use of douches, detergents, and sprays and anything that will disturb the natural acidity of the vagina could trigger vaginitis. Risk factors are oral contraceptives and pregnancy. Diets too could create an imbalance in the system and trigger vaginitis. In many cases, very tight pants and underwear causes the inflammation. The point to remember is that vaginitis is triggered by fungal infection and fungus thrives best in moist areas.
Symptoms
Common symptoms are itchiness, burning sensation, redness in the affected area and inflammation occurs. There is also a whitish grey discharge similar to the appearance of a cottage cheese. Symptoms may also not manifest immediately although when that happens, more severe symptoms might appear later.
Home Remedies
As vaginal yeast infections are triggered mostly by an imbalance in the natural acidity in the vagina, restoring the pH balance is of prime importance. This however is more of a long term solution and will not relieve the person immediately.
For immediate relief, you can use an icepack wrapped in a towel and applied directly to the area. You can also bath in water mixed with baking soda or you could do both.
When discomfort occurs, a home remedy that tops the list is the use of white vinegar or the apple cider. You can mix a little white vinegar with water and apply this directly to the affected area. This is a safe, inexpensive, and effective method to give relief, treats, and restore immediately the acidity in the vulva. Bathing in tea tree oil helps in alleviating the discomfort.
Eating yogurt is effective at restoring back and providing the body with good bacteria that will fight the infection. Garlic is rich in good bacteria that fight the bad. If you cannot have garlic, cranberry juice is a good substitute.
For the meantime, refrain from having too much starch in your diet like eating potatoes, starchy food products, and pasta.
Avoid also the wearing of very tight underwear and undergarments that you that triggers the irritation. When suffering from vaginitis, there is nothing better than wearing soft cotton underwear.
There are also medications sold over the counter that you could use to treat the infection. Some of these are vaginal suppositories and vaginal creams. Specify though the creams and suppositories with pH content.
If you are the type of person who has a very healthy estrogen and produces this so much so that there is can almost constant dampness, cleaning the genital area and keeping it dry whenever possible will lessen the occurrence of candidiasis.
Most of the types and symptoms discussed here are those that are most common whose remedies are proven over the years. There are other causes though of vaginal yeast infection. If the symptoms are recurrent or discomfort severe, visit your OB Gyne.