TIY Yeast Infections: Can You Treat-It-Yourself?

It used to be that you would only get treated for a yeast infection after a health care professional gave you an official diagnosis and prescription for treatment. However, these days you can take your sexual health and wellbeing into your own hands, with many over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications, including creams, ointments, suppositories or tablets. That said, if you’ve never had a yeast infection before, or if your wellness is also affected by a fever, abdominal pain, foul-smelling discharge, diabetes, HIV, pregnancy or nursing, you should be seen by your GP, just in case. Pregnant women should never use an OTC anti-yeast product without a doctor’s say-so.

 

Generally speaking, however, it’s perfectly fine to use an OTC antifungal medication if a medical health professional has diagnosed a yeast infection for you in the past and you are now experiencing the same symptoms. The available medications include:

 

• butoconazole (Femstat 3)

 

• terconazole (Terazol)

 

• tioconazole (Monistat-1, Vagistat-1)

 

• miconazole (Monistat 7)

 

• clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin 3)

 

The only difference between all of the above medications is a case of convenience and cost. While some treatments take a shorter time to work than others, these are the treatments that will be more expensive. Whatever treatment you choose – be it OTC or via prescription – you need to ensure that you take the full course as directed. Even if you begin to feel better, you should never cut your treatment short. It is often the case that symptoms begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. However, if you find that your symptoms fail to respond to your chosen OTC treatment, or recur shortly after clearing up, you should consult your doctor for further treatment options.

 

You may be thinking to yourself, “Why would I need to consult a doctor the first time I get a yeast infection when I can self-diagnose?” It’s true that the internet is full of information, and can point you in the right direction when you experience certain symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that you can 100% guarantee you have a yeast infection just from what you discern online. Research shows that self-diagnoses of yeast infections only have a 50% success rate, meaning that there’s a 50% chance you’re wrong. Although the medicines are relatively inexpensive, a trip to your GP is free on the NHS, so why not find out for sure, at least on the first occasion? This is especially the case for people who are pregnant, nursing, diabetic, HIV-positive or have fever, abdominal pain or foul-smelling discharge. For most people, OTC anti-fungal medications are harmless, even if you don’t have a yeast infection, but this isn’t the case if you fall into one of the above-mentioned categories.

 

You should also visit your doctor if symptoms persist for more than 48 hours after starting the medicine, however, or if they return promptly. You’re not likely to experience any major side effects with these medications, but a few people have been known to have an allergic reaction to OTC anti-fungal medications, including symptoms such as shortness of breath, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue or hives. This only happens in rare cases but, if you are likewise affected, you should stop using the OTC anti-fungal medication at once and seek emergency medical treatment. Other side effects of OTC anti-fungal medications include burning, itching, irritation of the skin and an increased need to urinate. These are more common and less dangerous, but you should still visit your GP to get it sorted out. You should also refrain from sex if your only contraception is a condom or diaphragm, as these medications can render such birth control ineffective.

Categories: anti fungal, diagnosis, fever abdominal, foul smelling, fungal medications, medications include, otc anti, smelling discharge, treatment, yeast infection, Yeast Infections

Ditch that Dandruff with These Amazing Ayurvedic Treatments

You can try and hide it by calling it seborrheic dermatitis, but the truth is, you have dandruff. Though it’s not really a matter of physical wellness, there is something to be said for the way in which the embarrassment of having dandruff can affect your emotional wellbeing, so what can you do about it? There are several treatments for dandruff around, including shampoos, steroids and anti fungal agents, but even if they work the dandruff always seems to come back. What you need is a complementary wellness therapy which can treat the root problem without any side effects. Ayurvedic remedies work by curing your scalp off its oiliness and removing the fungus and inflammation that triggers the formation of dandruff, so let’s take a look at a few of the best Ayurvedic dandruff treatments.

 

1. Lime peel – Lime peel works to remove the flaky skin and oil that has accumulated on your scalp, as it has a natural acidity.

 

2. Fenugreek seeds – Applying these seeds to your scalp can help to remove any trapped dirt and grime, as well as taking care of the fungal action in the area.

 

3. Apple cider vinegar – This can remove the fungal action on your scalp, as well as any dead and flaky skin, as apple cider vinegar is anti inflammatory and antibacterial acidic solution.

 

4. Yoghurt – As yoghurt contains live cultures of acidophilus bacteria, it works to overpower the fungal action on your scalp.

 

5. Beetroot and ginger – Beetroot has been used as a dandruff treatment for centuries, as it is packed with iron and other skin friendly nutrients. However, combining it with ginger is extra beneficial, as this helps in eradicating fungal action and removing dead skin cells.

 

6. Castor oil – This is another treatment which has been used for hundreds of years, and helps to remove the fungus that causes dandruff.

 

7. Green gram – This herbal soap cleanses your skin and clears your scalp of dead skin cells.

 

8. Sesame oil – As an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent, sesame oil can help to remove the bacterial action on your scalp, whilst also nourishing your skin.

 

9. Neem leaves – Neem leaves are incredibly effective as an anti-fungal agent, and so can protect your scalp from fungal and bacterial infections.

Categories: anti fungal, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, ayurvedic treatments, cider vinegar, dandruff, dead skin, flaky skin, fungal action, lime peel, Neem Leaves, sesame oil, skin cells

Ways to Prevent and Treat a Fungal Nail Infection

Most people will develop a fungal nail infection at some point or another, and they are easily spread. The infection causes a thickened and unappealing nail which can sometimes become quite painful. It is easy to treat them with medication, but you will need to take this for several weeks in order to clear the infection fully. Studies suggest that between three and eight people in 100 have a fungal nail infection at some point in their lives, and these become more common as we age, with more people get them over the age of 55. They’re also common in people who go swimming regularly or work out in the gym, as communal showers or changing rooms are breeding grounds for infections such as these.

 

A fingernail infection may develop after a toenail infection has occurred, as you may scratch your toe and pick up the infection this way. Interestingly, if you wash your hands more regularly or have them in water a lot (such as if you’re a cleaner or a cook) you may be more prone to infections. This is because the protective skin at the base of the nail becomes damaged and this enables fungi to get in and grow. If you have other conditions you’re also more likely to develop these infections – such conditions include diabetes, poor circulation, psoriasis, a poor immune system or general poor health. Smoking also increases the risk, but sometimes there is no reason behind why you have a nail infection – fungus can grow in hot or humid conditions, so you may have picked up the germs from somewhere and unknowingly provided a prime environment for it to develop. You’ll be able to spot a fungal nail infection by the appearance of the nail – it usually becomes thicker and discoloured, usually turning a yellowish-green colour. In most cases this is all that occurs, but if the infection becomes worse it may lead to white or yellow patched on the nail, or it may become itchy and painful. Though it’s often easy to self-diagnose, other nail conditions can have similar symptoms, so you may wish to get it checked by a GP to confirm that you have a fungal infection. They will usually take a clipping of the nail to be sent for testing.

 

Treatment doesn’t always cure the infection, and the rates of curing for this condition average between 60 to 80 percent. It also doesn’t always clear the infection entirely, so you may find that it returns again later on. Your nail’s appearance might not return to normal – it’s common for people to be left with a stained or marked nail. Anti-fungal tablets or creams are used to treat the infection, as well as clearing any associated fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Anti-fungal nail lacquers are also an option, which are prescribed for specific infections such as those on the end of the nail. In order for it to be effective, it will need to be applied exactly as prescribed – you may need to use it for up to a year on toenail infections for it to clear the infection entirely. In severe cases, the nail may actually have to be removed. Research is being carried out to see if new treatments can be developed to clear fungal nail infections. If there is fresh and healthy nail growing from the base of your nail bed, it’s a sign that the treatment is working. This will continue to grow forward and will eventually grow out the marked or infected nail, so that your nail looks normal again.

 

If you want to prevent a fungal nail infection from developing, you should keep your nails cut short and file down thickened nails. If you do develop an infection, be sure to cut your nail with a separate pair of scissors or clippers than you use on the other nails to stop the spread of infection.

Categories: anti fungal, develop, fungal, fungal nail, infection, Infections, nail, nail infection, nails

Ways to Prevent and Treat a Fungal Nail Infection

Most people will develop a fungal nail infection at some point or another, and they are easily spread. The infection causes a thickened and unappealing nail which can sometimes become quite painful. It is easy to treat them with medication, but you will need to take this for several weeks in order to clear the infection fully. Studies suggest that between three and eight people in 100 have a fungal nail infection at some point in their lives, and these become more common as we age, with more people get them over the age of 55. They’re also common in people who go swimming regularly or work out in the gym, as communal showers or changing rooms are breeding grounds for infections such as these.

 

A fingernail infection may develop after a toenail infection has occurred, as you may scratch your toe and pick up the infection this way. Interestingly, if you wash your hands more regularly or have them in water a lot (such as if you’re a cleaner or a cook) you may be more prone to infections. This is because the protective skin at the base of the nail becomes damaged and this enables fungi to get in and grow. If you have other conditions you’re also more likely to develop these infections – such conditions include diabetes, poor circulation, psoriasis, a poor immune system or general poor health. Smoking also increases the risk, but sometimes there is no reason behind why you have a nail infection – fungus can grow in hot or humid conditions, so you may have picked up the germs from somewhere and unknowingly provided a prime environment for it to develop. You’ll be able to spot a fungal nail infection by the appearance of the nail – it usually becomes thicker and discoloured, usually turning a yellowish-green colour. In most cases this is all that occurs, but if the infection becomes worse it may lead to white or yellow patched on the nail, or it may become itchy and painful. Though it’s often easy to self-diagnose, other nail conditions can have similar symptoms, so you may wish to get it checked by a GP to confirm that you have a fungal infection. They will usually take a clipping of the nail to be sent for testing.

 

Treatment doesn’t always cure the infection, and the rates of curing for this condition average between 60 to 80 percent. It also doesn’t always clear the infection entirely, so you may find that it returns again later on. Your nail’s appearance might not return to normal – it’s common for people to be left with a stained or marked nail. Anti-fungal tablets or creams are used to treat the infection, as well as clearing any associated fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Anti-fungal nail lacquers are also an option, which are prescribed for specific infections such as those on the end of the nail. In order for it to be effective, it will need to be applied exactly as prescribed – you may need to use it for up to a year on toenail infections for it to clear the infection entirely. In severe cases, the nail may actually have to be removed. Research is being carried out to see if new treatments can be developed to clear fungal nail infections. If there is fresh and healthy nail growing from the base of your nail bed, it’s a sign that the treatment is working. This will continue to grow forward and will eventually grow out the marked or infected nail, so that your nail looks normal again.

 

If you want to prevent a fungal nail infection from developing, you should keep your nails cut short and file down thickened nails. If you do develop an infection, be sure to cut your nail with a separate pair of scissors or clippers than you use on the other nails to stop the spread of infection.

Categories: anti fungal, develop, fungal, fungal nail, infection, Infections, nail, nail infection, nails