What Is A Yeast Infection?
Overgrowth of yeast cells in your body causes a type of infection which is commonly known as the yeast infection. This type of infection usually develops in specific areas of the body where you sweat a lot and the body parts which create moist like the mouth, throat, armpits, navel, genitals, and others. The name of the fungus that causes the infection is Candida Albicans or Candida in short.
According to several medical studies it has been stated that most of the women and men suffer from yeast infection at least once in a lifetime. But the studies also have proved that this infection is more common amongst the women compared to men. Nearly 75% of women throughout the world suffer from a yeast infection. To be precise, every eight women out of ten have experienced this infection at least once. There is no particular age limit. Yeast infection can affect anyone at any age.
What Are The Risk Factors For A Yeast Infection?
Now you must be thinking about the reasons that can cause this yeast infection. Well, to be precise there is no particular reason for such a yeast infection. But according to the medical experts, the following conditions are noted as the primary reasons responsible for the infection.
- Hormones – Hormonal discrepancies, especially during a woman’s pregnancy, menopause or breastfeeding period, can cause a yeast infection.
- Diabetes – The increase of sugar sometimes is the reason for a yeast infection, if your diabetes is not under control.
- Sex – If your partner is suffering from such infection you are most likely to be affected too by a sexual contact. But it is to remember that yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease.
- Weak Immune System – Another reason which causes the yeast to grow is your weak immune system.
The Affected Areas and The Symptoms
Usually, the yeast infection occurs around the vaginal areas of a woman body. But sometimes it reaches to lower abdomen, under the breasts, beneath other skin folds, and nail beds. The symptoms are quite prominent and visible for this infection that one can easily recognize and spot the affected area.
Extreme itchiness in and around the infected skin will automatically drag your attention to that particular part of your body even if you are not much concerned. In case you are suffering from a vaginal infection then it might cause pain and discomfort due to the inflammation while urinating and sexual intercourses. Sometimes there will also be a thick odourless white discharge.
Home Remedies For Yeast Infection
It might happen that one day you woke up with a burning sensation in the private or sweaty parts of your body. But you might feel hesitant to rush for a consultant immediately. If that is the scenario then you can have a look at these magical home remedies which might help you to get rid of such an awkward inflammation.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
The antifungal components of apple cider vinegar can give you relief from the itching and inflammation. Apple cider vinegar works both internally and externally to fight the yeast infection.
- You can add apple cider vinegar to water and take a hot bath for at least one hour. It will eventually decrease the irritation.
- Not only having a bath but you can also drink apple cider vinegar mixed with water daily for a few days till your pain goes away. In a glass of warm water, mix 1-2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and your drink is ready.
- You can also clean the affected area externally by apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. Mix it with water, then directly apply to the infection and rinse it well after at least half an hour.
2. Yogurt
Not all bacteria are harmful. Some bacteria are beneficial enough to keep your body healthy and fit. Yogurt is the most surprising healer you can find in your kitchen. Natural yogurt contains one of those beneficial bacteria called Lactobacillus that can win the battle against any yeast infection.
- The more you will increase the amount of natural yogurt in your daily diet, the more it will control the growth of unwanted yeast cells in your body.
- For a yeast infection in vagina, you can dip a tampon in plain unsweetened yogurt. Then insert the tampon inside and leave for two hours. You will need to do this twice daily until the inflammation decreases.
- Even one can apply the yogurt directly on to the infected parts of his or her body. You can leave it overnight and wait to see the wonder next morning.
- But remember only unsweetened and plain yogurt helps to lessen the burning sensation of a yeast infection.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains lauric, capric, caprylic acids and other medium chain fatty acids which have antifungal properties to kill the Candida fungus that is responsible for a yeast infection. Virgin or raw coconut oil can work miraculously on the infected areas of your body.
- You can apply a thin layer of organic coconut oil to the infection which will eventually soothe the irritation. You can even add a few drops of cinnamon oil to increase its medical value. But before applying anything directly to the infected skin, you should always clean and wash the area.
- In case you are struggling to get rid of oral thrush, you can wash your mouth with this oil for five to ten minutes. Repeat this process for thrice a day to notice the difference. You can also add few drops of cinnamon or tea tree oil for better results. But do not gulp the mixture.