What are yeast infections?

Yeast infections affect millions of people all around the world. Most people tend to associate candidiasis as a problem which only women experience. While women do get yeast infections more often than men, men are prone to yeast infections as well.

A yeast fungus called Candida albicans lives inside you naturally. It works with your immune system to fight and destroy harmful bacteria which could cause serious problems to your body. Candida is controlled both by your immune system and other helpful bacteria in your body to make sure that this fungus is kept from overgrowing. Sometimes, though, various factors can result in a rapid growth in candida, and your body is not able to control it. When this occurs, a yeast infection, complete with its uncomfortable and often painful rash, will appear.

Various types of factors contribute to yeast infections. An impaired immune system is often the biggest culprit. If the body’s attack force is not able to function, then any number of infections can grow inside the body. There are numerous reasons a person’s immune system can be down. One includes HIV, obviously. This virus wipes out the body’s ability to fight infection. Yeast infections in some adults can actually be an indication of HIV, or infections which frequently attack those in the later stages of HIV.

Deficient immune systems can also be due to an individual undergoing chemotherapy or if he or she has recently received an organ transplant. High stress over a prolonged period of time, consistently poor sleep, or an extended illness can also lower a person’s ability to fight yeast infections.

Diabetics are also more prone to yeast infections. Especially if they poorly control their blood sugar levels. Candida likes to feed on sugar. Consequently, high sugar levels in the blood give yeast fungus more food to expand on. An explosion in food obviously translates to an explosion in candida.

Those who are on antibiotics can also get yeast infections. Taking antibiotics can kill the bacteria which controls candida albicans. Then the yeast fungus has a chance to grow.

There are several different types of yeast infections. Each type has certain characteristics which make a person more susceptible to getting that kind of candidiasis than another.

Types, causes, and home treatments of various yeast infections

Depending on where the yeast infection appears, it receives its name and consequent treatment is determined. Home remedies are frequently used to attack and cure yeast infections. Some home treatments work across the board for any yeast infections, while others are specific to certain types of candidiasis.

Natural treatments for yeast infections are popular because they tend to be less invasive than medications offered over the counter or through doctors’ offices. They also tend to be cheaper and often can be found right at home using common, everyday products.

While home treatments are very common, no medical proof has been found which clearly demonstrate that home remedies for yeast infections actually work. Essentially this means that they cannot be guaranteed by the medical field that they work. However, many previous sufferers from yeast infections strongly stand by the home cures they have found to work for them. And many home remedies doctors will even recommend.

If you have any questions at all about whether or not you actually have a yeast infection, it is wise to get an appointment with your doctor before you begin treating candidiasis yourself.

Vaginal yeast infections

A vaginal yeast infection is the inflammation of the vagina. It is probably the most commonly known type of yeast infections. And predominately the reason why many consider yeast infections as only female problems. Nearly three out of four women throughout the world have at least one yeast infection some time in their life. Some women even experience two or many more, depending on their lifestyle and ability to effectively target yeast infections.

Symptoms

Women who experience vaginal yeast infections often say their vagina and surrounding area are very itchy, sore, swollen, and red. A cottage-cheese like discharge is also often common. Sexual intercourse and urination can be painful.

Causes

Hormones changes can trigger vaginal yeast infections due to the fact that when hormones are altered, the sugar level in the vagina lining is raised. Therefore, women who are pregnant (or about to become pregnant), are on an oral contraceptive, or are close to their periods are more likely to candidiasis.

Treatments

Many vaginal yeast infections can be treated with home remedies. If you are pregnant, under no condition should you attempt your own treatment. Consult your doctor first to ask what he recommends. If you have an idea of what natural treatment you would like to try, ask your doctor if he thinks it is safe for the baby and you before proceeding.

Plain, live-culture yogurt is probably the most popular home remedy for vaginal yeast infections. The live cultures work rearrange your pH balance back to normal in your vaginal lining, thus returning the yeast fungus back to its normal state. You can either eat the yogurt or insert into your vagina using a clean tampon.

Garlic is known to help yeast infections, as well. As with the yogurt, this can be taken by mouth (either as whole cloves or as a pill). Or a glove can be wrapped in gauze and inserted into the vagina.

Or relax in the bathtub with one cup of apple cider vinegar added to your warm bath water. The vinegar helps restore the pH balance in the vaginal lining.

Yeast diaper rash

Babies frequently get diaper rashes. However, a yeast diaper rash is particularly painful and can be more difficult to treat than a regular diaper rash. Thankfully, though, yeast diaper rashes are not very common.

Symptoms

Yeast diaper rashes will spread not only around the groin, but also down in the fat roles on the thighs and even to the baby’s stomach. The normal diaper rash will not affect such a large area. A diaper yeast infection will also have splotchy red bumps which are filled with fluid.

Causes

Some babies are more prone to yeast diaper rashes the others, thought doctors are not exactly sure why. The baby’s behind is constantly covered up with a diaper, and, when it soils the diaper, the area created is moist and warm, the perfect place for yeast infections to grow. Babies can also get diaper yeast infections if their mothers have nipple yeast infections and transfer the infection to the baby’s mouth. Oral thrush can then turn into diaper yeast infection, as the candidiasis travels down the digestive tract.

Treatment

One type of home remedy which can work very effectively in reducing diaper yeast infection is to practice prevention. Make sure you change your baby’s diaper frequently, never letting a soiled diaper remain on long.

If you are a breastfeeding mother and you develop nipple thrush, treat yourself immediately, as well as treating your baby for oral thrush–even if the baby does not get oral thrush. This way you can reduce the chances of just passing the yeast infections back and forth.

Frequently give your baby baths, and make sure you completely wipe them off when you change their diaper. Give your baby’s behind a break and let him or her have some time off from the diaper. Keep them on a surface which you can easily clean up if need be.

Pat corn starch on the baby’s behind after diaper changes, even if he or she does not have an infection. This will keep the area free from excess moisture.

As with vaginal yeast infections, plain yogurt can be applied to the diaper yeast infections. Gently rub it on the affected areas. Or mix a solution of one part vinegar and one part water. Apply this to the infected area after each diaper change.

Oral yeast infections

Oral yeast infections affect both men and women. It is most common in infants and the elderly, teens and adults can get oral thrush. Babies tend to get yeast infections in their mouths (oral thrush) often. It usually clears up with a couple weeks without treatment. Oral candidiasis in adults can be a sign of HIV, as it is one of the top opportunistic infections for HIV. If you are an adult with oral yeast infection, it is wise to consult a doctor or dentist to make sure it is not a sign of an underlying issue.

Symptoms

Oral yeast infections normally appear on your tongue or on the room of your mouth. It can also spread to the gums, sides of the cheeks, back of your throat, and tonsils. The more serious oral yeast infections even spread down into the esophagus. If this occurs, seek treatment from your doctor.

The yeast infection appears as whitish spots, which cover up red lesions. These red bumps cause the swelling associated with oral candidiasis. They can bleed when scraped. People often complain of a cottony feeling in the mouth, pain, and loss of taste. Sometimes the sides of the mouth may crack and get infected as well.

Causes

Oral yeast infections can be common in individuals suffering from low immune systems. The elderly are more prone to oral candidiasis if they wear dentures, especially if their dentures do not fill. Those with tongue piercings or who frequently smoke are more apt to get oral yeast infections.

Diabetics (especially those who do not control their blood sugar levels) can frequently get oral candidiasis. Because candida feeds on sugar, the heightened levels of sugar in saliva make the mouth a perfect breeding ground for oral yeast infections.

Babies are prone to oral thrush, though doctors are not sure why some babies get it more than others. If a breastfeeding mother has nipple thrush, it is easy to pass it on when they feed their babies.

Treatment

Oral yeast infections left untreated can result in the spread of the infection. Women and babies with oral candidiasis can eventually get diaper yeast infections or vaginal yeast infections. If you can attack the oral infection as soon as it starts, you have a better chance of the infection not spreading more inside your mouth, as well as preventing issues in other areas.

For babies, you can apply gentian violet to their mouths. This is a deep purple colored liquid you can find in health stores. Rub on the oral thrush in a baby’s mouth. Be aware that it does stain everything it comes into contact with. Your baby will have a very purple mouth for a few days, as well, though it does not harm the baby in any way.

Gentian violet can work in adult men and women, as well. Adults also have other options that babies obviously do not, such as gargling or brushing liquids around the mouth.

Dip a new toothbrush (separate from the one you use for daily brushing) into a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Gently brush the infected areas of your mouth several times a day.

Mix together half a teaspoon of salt into one cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth.

Get a new toothbrush after your oral yeast infection disappears. This way your daily brushings do not accidentally reintroduce the yeast infection to your mouth.

Candida diet

The Candida diet (or Candida cleanse) is a very popular home treatment for any type of yeast infection, and can be followed by both men and women. Sometimes positive results occur within a couple weeks to a month, while with others, the diet may take months to effectively work. Many who suffer from recurring yeast infections follow the Candida diet as a way to once and for all fight off their candidiasis.

On this diet, individuals must stay away from foods with sugar (carbohydrates) and yeast. A strict diet plan is outlined with the Candida cleanse. Once symptoms start to clear up and the yeast infection has show significant signs of clearing up, foods can be gradually back into a person’s regular eating habits. The Candida diet has a restricted list of foods, as well as foods to be aware of when on the diet. Only by closing following it and remaining consistent can those who support the Candida diet say the diet will bring results.