Yeast infection is really a bothersome condition since it is very irritating and itchy, although the discharges have no foul odor but the fact that there are discharges makes it very disturbing. Good thing that acute or and mild yeast infection can be managed at home. Since Candida albicans, the agent that causes the infection is a fungi then the main ingredient for the yeast infection cure should be anti-fungal. But before taking the home remedies it is still the best to consult the physician for proper diagnosis and treatment of the infection. Improper treatment or diagnosis won’t cure the problem and may cause delay in treatment that can be dangerous. Although minor yeast infection is not really that alarming, but if the infection spreads through the blood stream and becomes systemic then the infection is quite serious already. Several organs can be infected and affected as well, signs and symptoms may differ from person to person and depending on the site or organ affected, but local yeast infection can be managed very easily and most of the time using home remedies only.

The product for the infection that can be bought just over the counter have these ingredients: butoconazole nitrate (Femstat 3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin and others), miconazole (Monistat 7 and others), and tioconazole (Vagistat). These are antifungal drugs that act as fungal cell wall catalyst. It breaks down the fungal call wall and kills the fungi. But before taking drugs make sure that you pay a visit to the physician, having the infection may be embarrassing for some because the common misconception is that it can only be transmitted sexually but it is actually not since people can be infected thru various ways. Another popular yeast infection cure is the home remedies.

Yogurt – soak the tampon in the yogurt and insert it into the vagina for at least two times a day until the symptoms are gone, but try to continue doing it for another 3 – 4 days.

Tea Tree Oil – the use of tea tree oil diluted with an olive or sweet almond oil is said to be effective in treating yeast infections. It’s observed that it decreases itchiness and vaginal discomfort. It is also used for infected men.

Garlic – garlic paste is used to treat yeast infection to other areas in the body not including the vagina, garlic is not used for vaginal yeast infection.

Cold Coconut Oil and Cinnamon Oil – these oils are widely known for its anti fungal properties and kills yeast. Apply the affected part 2 -3 times a day.

The most common cause of vaginal yeast infection is the agent Candida albicans although this causative agent can be found normally in the vagina called the normal flora but in certain conditions the agent increases their number above normal and thus causing infection. It is estimated that six out of eight women will likely to suffer yeast infection within their lifetime in a milder degree.

Some of the factors that contribute to the infection are diabetes, oral contraceptives, steroids, certain antibiotics, and even pregnancy. Also it is likely for menopausal women to suffer the infection due to decreasing estrogen levels in the body that causes the vaginal wall to become thin.

For diagnosis and treatment it is better to consult a physician, but there is another alternative, a home remedy. Here are some of the useful yeast infection home remedies:

Yogurt - soak the tampon in the yogurt and insert it into the vagina for at least two times a day until the symptoms are gone, but try to continue doing it for another 3 – 4 days.  It is still best to consult a physician first for diagnosis and also to determine the extent of infection. Yogurt is one of the oldest and effective yeast infection home remedy used.

Tea Tree Oil – the use of tea tree oil diluted with an olive or sweet almond oil is said to be effective in treating yeast infections. It’s observed that it decreases itchiness and vaginal discomfort. It is also used for infected men. This has been used as a remedy for years already, although there is still no proof to its therapeutic effects but there are testimonials from people who tried it. The compound called terpinen-4-ol that is found in tea tree oil is considered to be the therapeutic agent. When using this remedy it is important to dilute the oil first, using it in full strength can cause irritation to the area. Seeking medical advice is still the best thing to do.

Garlic – garlic paste is used to treat yeast infection to other areas in the body not including the vagina, garlic is not used for vaginal yeast infection. Apply the garlic past in the affected part along with vitamin E oil and a few drops of coconut oil. Vitamin protects the skin and the coconut oil helps to prevent spread of infection with help of the fatty acids.

Cold Coconut Oil and Cinnamon Oil – these oils are widely known for its anti fungal properties and kills yeast. Apply the affected part 2 -3 times a day. This home remedy is useful for both men and women suffering from yeast infection.

Those who had yeast infection before would have probably sworn to do anything not to develop such infection again.  To lower your chances of developing it again or for those who don’t want to ever experience it, here are preventive tips on what you need to do.

• After using the ladies room, wipe your vaginal area from front to back
• Choose to use cotton underpants or underwear
• Make sure that you wipe your vaginal area completely dry after taking a bath and before getting dressed
• Always wash your vaginal area thoroughly clean whenever you shower
• It will also help a lot when you take supplements that are designed to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of yeast infections
• As much as possible, avoid douching
• Keep away from heavily scented perfumes, soaps and talcum powder
• Avoid using scented tampons or sanitary pads, and whenever you use one, do change it frequently
• Whenever you go swimming or working out, change out of your swimsuit or exercise clothes right away once you are done
• Do not use clothing that are too tight in the crouch
• It is also better to wash your underwear or undergarments in hot water, and do skip the fabric softener
• Do not share washcloths and towels
• Only use or take antibiotics when it is really necessary
• When you are experiencing recurring yeast infections and at the same time using contraceptives, like birth control pills, you might want to consider changing your method for birth control
• Avoid painful sex by making sure your vagina is naturally well-lubricated before intercourse
• Avoid having sex when you still have yeast infection in order not to infect your partner too, otherwise you’d be transferring the infection back and forth for a lengthy cycle
• Maintain a diet high in protein, veggies and grains
• Steer clear of alcohol, sugars and processed foods

Thrush or oral yeast infection might be common in men but they can also get other types of yeast infections that are equivalent to a woman’s vaginal yeast infection, too.  A penile yeast infection grows on a tip of a man’s penis and men develop such infections almost for the same reasons that women do.  It is just the likelihood that is different.  Below is the list of the most common penile yeast infection causes.

• Antibiotics.  A prolonged antibiotic use can cause penile yeast infection because it can eventually eradicate some of the standard contingent creatures that reside in a man’s crotch that help in preventing the overgrowth of yeast to happen.

• Sexual Transmission.  An unprotected sex with a yeast-infected woman or partner can result in transferring her infection to you.  Once you get infected, you also become capable of transferring back the infection to her.  Until both of you are sure that you are already infection-free, you are better off refraining from vaginal intercourse.

• Diabetes.  When a man has diabetes, his urine becomes a yummy food for yeasts due to the elevated sugar in it.  You definitely need to go see a doctor in order to address this particular issue and cure the infection right away.

The following are the most common Do-It-Yourself treatments for candidiasis or yeast infection:

• YOGURT

This is the most popular DIY yeast infection treatment anywhere.  Even some professional       medical people recommend it.  Yogurt contains a bacterium called Lactobacillus Acidophilus that happens to be present in healthy vaginas as well.  The bacterium, acidophilus, produces hydrogen peroxide that kills yeasts.  What women do is apply yogurt directly to the vulva and then they also inject some into the vagina.

• GARLIC

Find the freshest cloves of garlic and peel all the skin off.  The natural antifungal substances garlic contains are the ones responsible in killing off yeasts.  Once you have peeled the skin off the garlic, make it into something of a tampon by wrapping it in gauze and tying its ends with a string, and make sure to leave at least three inches of the string dangling so you can easily pull it out of your vagina.  Yes, you need to pull it out later because you will be using it as a tampon or suppository overnight for better results.

• BORIC ACID

You might have heard how useful it is in a cockroach-ridden apartment but you might be surprised how it can also effectively kills yeasts, too!  Just use a size 00 boric acid capsule as a suppository.  The moisture and heat in your vagina will eventually melt the capsule and release the boric acid inside.