Most of us suffer from fungal infections at some time or another during our life. Many of these infections occur in the superficial part of our body or in the skin. Fungal infections are transferable and some can be very dangerous and in extreme cases can even lead to death. Sometimes, you may be infected with a fungal infection and not even realize it.
One of the more common fungal infections is the yeast infection or in medical terms, candidiasis. Yeast infection is the infection of the mucous membranes caused by the fungus candida, specifically candida albicans.
Yeast infection also has another name, known as moniliaris, derived from the name form of a fungal genius, and thrush, a term usually reserved for infection of the mucous membrane of the mouth.
The fungus is a normal inhabitant of the mouth and vagina. Some certain bacteria that also inhibit the areas where the fungus is located usually follow the growth.
When the balance of these organisms is disturbed by certain antibiotic treatment or by hormonal imbalances or by weakening of the body?s resistance to disease, the fungus can begin to proliferate, propagate and multiply.
There are different types of yeast infection. Depending on the area of the body where it develops, yeast infection can occur in the mouth, in the folds of the skin and the penis, usually called as balanitis.
The most common and popular type of candidiasis is the vaginal yeast infection an uncomfortable infection that almost two thirds of all women will experience at some time in their life.
Yeast infections are manageable but still need the attention of a physician. If you think you have a yeast infection, it is best that you consult your doctor and if he or she has no objections, you might try some of these home remedies.
If you have yeast infection, daub apple cider vinegar in the areas prone to infection regularly. You can add some garlic that will help stop the itchy feeling and water to dilute the vinegar concentration.
Curds and yogurt are foods identified to be the most effective home remedy for yeast infection. It is advisable to soak a tampon into curds and place it in the infected areas for at least an hour. The healthy required bacteria from the curds will replace the unhealthy yeast bacteria. This could be done twice or thrice a day.
Drinking at least two glasses of buttermilk a day is advisable whether you are infected or not. Curds should be part of the daily diet because this reduces the probability of yeast infection.
A Mixture of olive leaf extract with grape fruit seed extract in a glass of water is also a good potent tonic for this infection.
As a home remedy, it is also safe to take herbal products as alternatives to cure the infection.
Cranberry extract and cranberry blueberry extract are good for the infection. The two are good antioxidants as well.
The use of tea tree oil helps the curing of the infection. Dip a tampon in the oil until saturated then apply it the infected region.
You can also try applying baby oil with aloe and vitamin E to soothe the irritation and reduce the itchy sensation.
Raw garlic is a great antifungal and if you have a yeast infection on your skin, you might try rubbing some on it. I would avoid rubbing garlic on your private areas, however, as it can really sting.
Eating right, and including yogurt with active cultures in your diet as well as practicing proper personal hygene can all help to avoid yeast infection, however if you do happen to get one, it is nothing to be embarrassed about and you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
