Here are a few tips to help deal with the irritation an discomfort of a common yeast infection itch.
What is a yeast infection?
You can probably recognize a yeast infection instantly – nothing is more annoying than an itch you cannot tend to, for obvious reasons. Candida is the proper scientific name for the fungus responsible for this discomfort.
Candida yeast lives in several parts of your body and is generally controlled and kept in balance by your immune system and good germs that share space with yeast. However, certain factors can throw this delicate relationship out of balance causing yeast overgrowth and the uncomfortable symptoms, most commonly the unbearable itching of the affected area.
Below are common ways yeast overgrowth can become symptomatic in your body, contributors to greater risk of getting a yeast infection and tips on how to help your yeast infection itch.
Overgrowth of yeast in:
- Mouth, causes thrush, which looks like white patches in your mouth
- Esophagus (the tube that takes your food down to your stomach), causes a specific type of thrush known as esophagitis, which makes it painful to swallow
- Vagina, causes itchiness, pain and cloudy discharge
- Skin, causes itchy patches and rashes
Several factors contribute to yeast overgrowth:
- Recent antibiotic treatment, which killed some good bacteria that keep yeast in check
- Diabetes, as elevated blood sugar levels provide the food yeast enjoys
- Pregnancy, as it alters the pH and natural germ balance in the female body
Treatment for yeast infections
In many cases, common antifungal creams and tablets are very effective at taming yeast. However, other remedies and treatments that are rumoured to be effective involve cutting down your daily sugar and carb intake to reduce the food substance that yeast enjoys.
Alternatively, dissolving one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water can help out with the yeast balance in your stomach.
When to see your doctor
If you have a weak immune system, treating a yeast infection might be more difficult but not impossible. If your yeast infection does not clear up even with the above efforts, it is strongly suggested that you visit your doctor.
