Yeast infection is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. This infection can be developed around dentures, vagina, under the breast, lower abdomen, beneath skin folds and nailbeds. When left untreated, yeast infections will lead to more complications and even more serious health problems. Here are common treatments to yeast infections.

1. Over the Counter Treatments

Most vaginal yeast infections can be treated with an over-the-counter vaginal suppository, tablet or cream. Many of these creams which you can often buy in drugstores contain ingredients to combat yeast infection as the medication that might be prescribed by your doctor but in less concentrated doses. Typically, vaginal creams are placed inside the vagina along with an applicator to fight off the yeast. There are vaginal creams that are utilized at bedtime only because they can leak out of the vagina at day time. A number of these creams are packed with a topical vaginal cream that is meant to be applied to the opening of the vagina that surrounds the vulva. The topical cream is intended to relieve itching while the anti-fungal cream treats the yeast infection. The chemicals used in vaginal creams include butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole nitrate and ticonazole. These creams come with instructions on how to use and when to use them. On the other hand, vaginal tablets and suppository are less messy to be used than creams. While tablets are taken orally, suppositories are inserted into the vagina. The doses of these treatments are stronger and used for few days. Over the counter medications for yeast infections include:

• Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole vaginal) – This works by weakening the cell membrane of the fungus and eventually kills the fungus. This should not be used when you are allergic to any of its ingredients and you have itching that is caused by other factors aside from yeast infection.
• Monistat (miconazole nitrate) – Monistat has the active ingredient miconazole nitrate that is effective in treating fungal disorders. This must be administered for the whole prescribed course of treatment to maximize its effectiveness to eliminate a yeast infection. Usual side effects of this medicine include headaches, increase in vaginal itching, labial or vulval swelling, skin rash and occasional abdominal cramps. These episodes could mean an allergy to miconazole. You should not continue using this medication when you have these effects or symptoms.
• Femstat, Mycelex, Gynezol (butoconazole vaginal) – These are effective anti-fungal treatments for vaginal yeast infections. They are available in a 1-day to 3-day treatment course. They also relieve the burning and itching symptoms that could be present with such infections. These products are for external use only. They are applied to the external areas of the vagina to lessen discomfort and itching. These should not be used for more than a week. If there are no improvements in the symptoms, you should tell a health care professional. Side effects of these medications include itching or burning and vaginal irritation as well as pain or difficulty in urinating.

2. Prescriptions

For patients with persistent or severe yeast infections, an over the counter drug may not help because they may need stronger treatments. The doctor may prescribe a prescription-strength vaginal cream. These anti-fungal creams include a steroid which is meant to ease more severe redness, inflammation and soreness of the vaginal opening as well as the surrounding tissues. Medications like Lotrimin (clotrimazole), Terazol (terconazole) and Micatin (miconazole) will be prescribed. The stronger version of any vaginal cream can be determined by the number that following its product name. If a vaginal cream has the number 7 following its name, this means it should be used for seven days. However, if the same product name has a 3 after it, it is a stronger version that can be used for 3 days.

Furthermore, your doctor may also prescribe anti-fungal drugs which would directly attack the fungus. While creams are applied to the affected area, pills saturate into the whole system. Although the pills would be a better alternative to the messiness of the topical applications of creams, keep in mind that these drugs have fairly strong substances.

You might be prescribed by your doctor with the following treatments:

• Diflucan (fluconazole) – One pill of Diflucan has an efficacy that is comparable to a seven-day application of creams.
• Terazol ( terconazole) – This is packed in three suppositories that are inserted every night at bed time. This should be used for three nights.
• Nizoral (ketoconazole) – This could be a risky medication. It is available as a pill, OTC shampoo and a cream. It must be cautiously utilized if a person has a history of liver disease. The most harmful side effect of this drug is hepatitis. A person taking this may also feel nausea and vomiting and will have irregular heartbeats.

3. Supplements

For yeast infections, there are treatment options that include herbal and non-herbal dietary supplements. Research says that garlic, pau d’arco, tea tree oil, Echinacea and pomegranate are likely to possess a degree of efficacy to treat yeast infections. Non-herbal supplements like vitamin C, probiotics, B-complex vitamins, essential fatty acis, propolis, caprylic acid and calcium can also help.

Among the most helpful dietary supplements to treat yeast infections are probiotics. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic that aids in replenishing normal friendly bacteria and when they is utilized together with antibiotics, it may help stop the Candida accumulation. Here are the most common supplements to treat yeast infections.

• Echinacea – This has been popular for treating infections such as common colds and other infections in the respiratory system. It is also proven effective for urinary tract infections, flu, vaginal yeast infections, bloodstream infections, genital herpes and tonsillitis. Echinacea activates chemicals in the body that lessens inflammation. It also contains chemicals that can directly fight off yeast and other kinds of fungi.
• Yogurt – This is used to restore normal intestinal bacteria after antibiotic therapy and for treating diarrhea that is associated to antibiotics. Some women use this inside the vagina to treat vaginal yeast infection and vaginal bacterial infections during pregnancy.
• Lactobacillus – This is used to treat and prevent diarrhea including infectious types and those associated with the use of antibiotics. It is also used to treat vaginal yeast infections, prevent common colds and respiratory infections in children. It is a friendly bacterium that can help in breaking down food, absorbing nutrients and fighting off unfriendly organisms that could cause diseases.