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What is the Best Cure for Yeast Infection?

Laura M. Sands
Laura M. Sands

While antifungal medications offer a fast cure for yeast infection symptoms, the best cure combines medication and working to rebalance yeast levels while endeavoring to prevent a recurring yeast infection, all at the same time. In order to achieve this multifaceted cure, dietary and lifestyle changes must be made. Learning about the different types of yeast infections also helps when seeking a cure for yeast infection, particularly in cases of recurring infections.

When speaking of a cure for yeast infection, vaginal infections are the types that immediately come to most people’s minds. The fastest and most common short-term cure for this type of infection is an antifungal medication. Such may come in pill form or may include a suppository or antifungal cream. In order to completely eliminate possible causes of infection and rebalance yeast levels, however, health experts recommend discontinuing the use of feminine hygiene sprays and powders, as well as avoiding douching. Often, infections are caused by antibiotic use, which can be avoided by building a healthy immune system through diet and exercise, as well as following an antibiotic treatment with probiotics, such as those found in plain, unsweetened yogurt.

Dietary and lifestyle changes in combination with medication is the best cure for yeast infections.
Dietary and lifestyle changes in combination with medication is the best cure for yeast infections.

Men, women and children are all prone to different types of yeast infection. Besides the genitals, some of the most common places yeast infections are found are in the stomach, skin, esophagus, and nasal passages. An oral yeast infection, also known as thrush, is quite common in children. Also, some develop a systemic yeast infection in the blood, which can cause death if not professionally treated in a timely, effective manner. For most types, antifungal medications, as well as natural remedies such as eating a healthy diet, cleansing the body of toxins and avoiding alcohol, especially beer, are all best for the long-term cure for yeast infection.

Following antibiotic treatment with probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, can help women avoid yeast infections.
Following antibiotic treatment with probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, can help women avoid yeast infections.

While the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection primarily include itching and a foul smelling odor accompanied by a moderate to severe discharge, the symptoms of an infection in other parts of the body may produce itching skin, weight loss or gain, congestion, skin rash and a lowered immunity to other infections. Depending on where the infection is, a cure for yeast infection often requires a combination of treatments. Even if chemical medications are used, the absolute best cure for yeast infection includes getting proper amounts of rest, eliminating sugar and processed foods from the diet, avoiding fermented foods, and increasing the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. A cure for yeast infection may also likely include treating an underlying illness, such as diabetes, which is known to cause a recurring yeast infection in some people.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

Oh, come on. I don't care how healthy your diet is; everyone is going to catch a bug occasionally and will need antibiotics. If I'm on antibiotics, I always eat yogurt, and this helps me keep from getting diarrhea from their effects, but it doesn't stop the yeast infection. As a result, my doctor just gives me a prescription for Diflucan when I get the antibiotics filled.

Fact is, the only time I ever get a yeast infection is when I'm taking antibiotics, so cutting sugar and yeast completely from my diet will probably not do any good.

I advocate eating a healthy diet, along with exercise, but that doesn't prevent or cure everything.

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    • Dietary and lifestyle changes in combination with medication is the best cure for yeast infections.
      By: Marin Conic
      Dietary and lifestyle changes in combination with medication is the best cure for yeast infections.
    • Following antibiotic treatment with probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, can help women avoid yeast infections.
      By: nenetus
      Following antibiotic treatment with probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, can help women avoid yeast infections.
    • Treating a underlying illness may be the best cure for a yeast infection.
      By: javiindy
      Treating a underlying illness may be the best cure for a yeast infection.
    • Yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter medication taken in the form of vaginal suppositories over 1, 3 or 7 days.
      By: Magalice
      Yeast infections may be treated with over-the-counter medication taken in the form of vaginal suppositories over 1, 3 or 7 days.