Natural Candida Home Remedy
The good news is that it is not difficult to find an effective home remedy for yeast infection (also known as Candida or thrush). However, you will also need to take steps to ensure that the infection does not recur.What is yeast infection?
Candida can occur in any moist, warm area of the body. Most commonly, you will notice it in the vagina in women, or the diaper area in children. Men can also be affected in the genital area. You will probably feel very uncomfortable with strong itching sensations and possibly pain.
It can also occur in the mouth, causing painful canker-like sores that may bleed when touched. This is most common in babies but is sometimes found in adults too.
Occasionally it may be found externally in other areas that tend to collect sweat e.g. armpits, under breasts, toes, top of thighs.
Cause
The cause of yeast infection is a fungus called Candida albicans which is naturally present in the human body. It only causes problems when it multiplies out of control. This is usually caused by an imbalance of the internal flora in the body, which may be due to:
- very high sugar or fruit consumption
- diabetes
- a lowered immune system, e.g. after a cold or other virus, or due to HIV or other immune disorders
- taking antibiotics
- taking birth control pills
Treatment
Candida responds well to natural treatments. Most people do not need prescription medicines. Yogurt can be a very effective treatment for yeast infections in the vagina. You can use a tampon dipped in natural live yogurt. Leaving it for an hour should be effective. Repeat after 12 hours if there is still a problem.
Only use natural, live yogurt with active probiotics (friendly bacteria) and NO sugar, fruit, flavorings or other ingredients. This will restore the balance of internal flora because the friendly bacteria in the yogurt will feed on the excess yeast.
At the same time, be sure to drink plenty of water to flush out the system. Keep the area clean and dry but do not use strong soaps, deodorants, douche products or skin creams. Avoid wearing pantyhose. 100% cotton underwear is best.
Live yogurt may also be effective for outbreaks in the mouth. Eat a little before and after meals, and avoid eating anything containing sugar (including fruit) or yeast and fungi (e.g. most bread, mushrooms, blue cheese).
If using yogurt on other areas, leave it for a few minutes and then wipe off because it is important to keep the area dry. If your baby has a yeast infection in the diaper area, try to change the diaper as soon as it is wet.
Other home treatments for yeast infection include fresh aloe vera gel (apply to the affected area), garlic (eaten raw) and raw vinegar (the kind that has a 'vinegar mother'). To treat with vinegar, add a cupful to your bath water, and do not use any soap or bath products.
For adults with a Candida infection anywhere, it is a good idea to take a probiotics food supplement or capsule. This is because if you have a yeast infection, you probably also have an excess of Candida in the colon, which you will not be able to feel.
If this is not treated it is likely to cause another outbreak soon. Probiotics can restore the balance in the colon. Look for probiotic supplements that guarantee a certain number of live organisms.
Consult a qualified medical practitioner before using any home remedy for yeast infection, to check that it is suitable for you.
More information about Symptoms
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