Natural Cures for Yeast Infections and Their Results

Candida, which is a type of yeast or fungus, is normally found in the body. When your body is in balance it usually causes no problems. Candida has also been proven to cause vaginal candida infections and intestinal problems. Candida albicans lives in, or on numerous parts of the body as normal flora. Under typical conditions Candida over growth is avoided due to the beneficial action of 'good bacteria' like the Lactobacillus strains, which are also found in probiotic supplements.

Candida likes to grow in dark and damp places -- a wet towel is a virtual petri dish for yeast. Sweaty or wet clothes also create a good environment for yeast to grow. Candida diets based on natural cures for yeast infections should sharply restrict empty calorie sugar products, grains, and alcoholic beverages. They may also restrict foods that are high-in yeast such as mushrooms, stinky cheese, vinegar, olives, soy sauce and pickles. Candida is a fungus. It exists in small amounts in the vagina, mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

Candida may infect an infant's diaper area and worsen a diaper rash. This is because yeast can grow very readily on irritated, moist skin. Candida albicans and other species of fungi are in the air around us all the time. They normally live in the intestines and even sometimes in the vagina without causing problems or symptoms.

Symptoms include severe itching, burning, and soreness, irritation of the vagina and/or vulva, and a whitish or whitish-gray discharge, often with a curd-like appearance. Many women mistake the symptoms of the more common bacterial vaginosis for a yeast infection. Symptoms will usually abate within a few days, but a full course of treatment, usually a minimum of 3-5 days, is recommended to reduce the chance of recurrence. Oral fluconazole (Diflucan), available only by prescription, has also been shown to be effective in treating symptomatic yeast. But many natural cures for yeast infections are just as effective than these prescription drugs

Treatment may require a long course of anti-fungal medications, painting the vagina and vulva with a purple medication called gentian violet, or using certain suppositories on a nightly or weekly basis. The treatment of chronic or frequently recurrent yeast infections involves a blend of the science and art of practicing medicine, and is rarely successful after only one visit. Treatment of candidiasis is primarily accomplished through the use of antifungal drugs and natural cures for yeast infections. Oral candidiasis is usually treated with prescription lozenges or mouthwashes.