What You Need To Know About Chronic Yeast Infection
A yeast infection is more common than people think. Men, women and children are all susceptible to different types of recurrent yeast infections. Women are prone to getting vaginal yeast infection, while men get male yeast infection. Children are prone to get thrush.
This is because bacteria, yeast organism and the Candida yeast are naturally found on the surface of the skin, especially in parts of the body such as the digestive system, vagina, and other dark, moist parts of the body. In many instances, a yeast infection can become chronic, occurring more than once or twice a year, sometimes recurring as frequently as once a month.
There are various causes or reasons for a yeast infection. Diet, lifestyle, hygiene and a person’s immunity and overall health are all factors that make one person more likely to get a yeast infection.
People with a condition such as a compromised immune system, such as those who have diabetes, cancer and are suffering from sexually transmitted diseases are more prone to getting chronic yeast infection. This is because the balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria is compromised, allowing for the overgrowth of yeast, resulting in a vaginal yeast infection, male yeast infection, chronic yeast infection, skin irritation and other infections likely.
Men and women undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer are likely to get chronic yeast infection. Those with diabetes are also susceptible to recurrent yeast infections because of the high levels of sugar in the system. The yeast or Candida Albicans infection thrives on the sugar.
People are most familiar with a vaginal yeast infection. Women are likely to get a yeast infection and vulvitis because the vagina is a very conducive environment for the yeast to grow and thrive. Since vaginal yeast is naturally present in the groin area, a slight disturbance in the delicate balance can easily allow for the yeast to proliferate, resulting in a health problem for the woman.
There are many symptoms to a vaginal yeast infection. The first is a white discharge that oftentimes resembles cottage cheese. In some instances, it may have a green or yellow color. It may have an off smell, sometimes smelling like bread or yeast, or even bread contaminated with molds. Other common symptoms include an itchy burning sensation on the vulva, inflammation of the skin, redness, irritation and a general feeling of discomfort. Another symptom is pain during intercourse.
A woman is likely to get a vaginal yeast infection through certain activities and raise the risk factor for chronic yeast infection. Wearing a wet bathing suit for a prolonged period of time, not regularly changing to clean underwear, taking certain medications or even the use of birth control pills can cause a woman to get recurrent yeast infections.
An antibiotic may also make a person more susceptible to chronic yeast infection. Broad spectrum antibiotics not only eliminate bacteria that cause disease and illness, but also the good bacteria needed to maintain good health and a healthy digestive system. These conditions make it more likely for recurrent yeast infection to occur.
Pregnancy is another risk factor that makes women more likely to get recurrent yeast. This is because the fluctuations in hormones can easily upset the delicate vaginal and intestinal flora needed to keep a body healthy, resulting in vaginal yeast infection.
Douching is another cause for recurrent yeast. This is because using a douche washes away the naturally occurring good bacteria needed in the vagina. Many women think that douching is a good thing and is necessary for health. However, it also strips away the necessary flora and organisms in the vagina, causing vaginal infection and vaginitis.
For the male, a recurring male yeast infection may occur if he has regular sex with an infected partner. However, this doesn’t mean that a male yeast infection is considered a sexually transmitted disease. The yeast strain is merely transferred from male to female because of the direct skin contact. If this is the case, both male and female have to be treated for the yeast infection. Sex, including oral sex, should be avoided in the interim with someone suffering from vulvitis or chronic yeast infection. Men must use a barrier method until the health condition is resolved for both partners and to cut back on recurrent infections. A male suffering from chronic male yeast infection may become prone to prostate problems or have the overall health of his prostate affected.
There are various anti-yeast treatment options available for men and women suffering from chronic yeas, fungal infections and a Candida infection. Over the counter creams and suppositories can be purchased at the pharmacy and grocery store at the personal care aisle. Monistat is one very popular brand sold in the market to treat a vaginal infection. Some products also include anti-fungal products used as part of a yeast infection treatment.
Taking acidophilus tablets can also help counteract the elimination of the good bacteria and flora needed in the digestive system and vagina. This should help prevent the recurrence of yeast vulvitis.
Your doctor may recommend that you stop eating certain types of food, especially dairy and refined white sugar products. This will cut down on the sugar and glucose supply from which the yeast will live on, thereby lower the recurrence of a recurring yeast infection.
If you want to continue to douche, you may instead use hydrogen peroxide. It is a milder yet effective cleanser or the vagina or vaginal area. Mix one tablespoon in a cup of water and use to wash the area with the yeast infection. This should eliminate the excess yeast, fungus and bacteria, without compromising the overall health of the person.
If you suspect that you have chronic yeast infection, do not attempt to self-medicate. It’s best to talk to a doctor and get a professional diagnosis so that you can get the proper prescription treatment that you need. You may need to do a combination of anti-fungal medication, as well as oral medication and some lifestyle modification to treat the recurrent infection.
Tags: chronic yeast infections, vaginal yeast, yeast treatment