The use of tea tree oil for yeast infection
October 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
What is tea tree oil and why is it used for yeast infection?
Tea tree oil is a herb extract that provides an aromatherapy treatment for yeast infection….particularly for topical application to a yeast infection of the skin or as a mouthwash for treating oral thrush.
Tea tree oil is a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent and needs to be treated with great respect. Although an easily purchased over the counter remedy it is essential to obtain professional advice on concentrations to use as a remedy for candidial infection.
Factors to consider when using tea tree oil for yeast infection:
It is very tempting to “give anything a go” when desperate to get rid of the misery of recurrent yeast infection. But caution is advised.
Yeast Infection Helpdesk , through personal experience, thoroughly recommends a holistic approach. The approach in Linda Allen’s book is comprehensive in that she helps you to get quick relief from the symptoms of yeast infection then guides you through the steps that you need to take to remove the causes of yeast infection and so prevent re-infection.
To find out more about Linda’s recommendations, CLICK HERE.
Prescription medications for candidiasis and yeast infection
October 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Prescription medicines for treating yeast infection and candidiasis fall into 3 main treatment groups.
Prescription medications for esophageal candidiasis
For esophageal candidiasis the prescription treatments include clotrimazole lozenges that are sucked slowly to enable the mouth to be bathed in the medicine. Nystatin suspension to be swished around the mouth and then swallowed treats the oral thrush symptoms as well as the esophagus. Nystatin suspension is a frequently used prescription treatment for babies’ oral thrush. Other commonly prescribed treatments include oral fluconazole.
Prescription treatments for Genital Candidiasis, Vaginal Thrush and Penile Yeast Infection
There are a larger range of antifungal drugs available to treat genital candidiasis with creams, pessaries and suppositries being the most commonly used. All of these treatments can range in duration from 1 to 7 days depending upon the severity of the symptoms of yeast infection. In stright forward cases a single dose of oral fluconazole may be sufficient to beat back a candida overgrowth. This treatment should be avoided for yeast infection during pregnancy. This treatment usually has a very high success rate excepting in recurrent yeast infections when a longer course of treatment may be needed.
It is possible to get over the counter remedies from your local pharmacy. However, it must be stressed that a formal diagnosis from your doctor is strongly advised as inappropriate use of anti-fungal agents can build a resistance to them for whn you may have a genuine and severe outbreak of vaginal or penile yeast infection.
Prescription Treatment of Invasive Candidiasis
Several antifungal drugs are now available for treating invasive candidiasis. Fluconazole is a drug that can be administered orally or intravenously for treating invasive candidiasis. Echinocandins ( caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin) are another group of antifungal drugs commonly used to treat invasive candidiasis in a hospital setting as they can only be administered intravenously. All four of these drugs e are effective in treating invasive candidiasis. Other drugs that may be encountered to treat this condition include voriconazole (orally or intravenously) and amphotericin B formulations (intravenous administering only).
Do sugar and yeast infection necessarily go hand in hand?
September 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Too much sugar in your diet?
Sugar is one of those food products in modern society that is eaten far too much in many diets. In processed foods it can be used to enhance flavour in its many guises (for examle: processed sugar, sucrose, fructose) in the obvious foods such as breakfast cereals, cakes, confectionery etc as well as the less obvious foods such as sliced packets of meat, processed savoury meals, soups etc. All these sources of sugar are there before the ones we eat when we choose to eat something sweet…such as candy, sugared drinks, fresh fruit and dried fruit.
“So what’s the problem with sugar?”
Sugar is less effectively digested by the body yet offers a perfect backdrop for candida to thrive and take a hold. This is particularly true of diabetics, for whom poor control may mean more sugar available in the body for candida to make use of.
Many people will cope with the sugar in their diet without developing a yeast infection. However, predidposing factors such as diabetes and pregnancy, a compromised immune system, certain medications and illnesses can mean that the body becomes less able to fight off a yeast overgrowth and symptoms of thrush or yeast infection may occur. If you find yourself in this situation it becomes an essential part of your preventative treatment to cut sugar out of your diet as far as possible.
“I have a sweet tooth. What are the alternatives?”
If you really can’t cope without indulging your sweet tooth, there are effective sugar substitutes (although artificial sweetners are not healthy in large quantities and are therfore best avoided. Vegetable glycerine is a liquid form plant extract usually taken from coconut palm that can be used like honey. It is available from Health Food shops. Vegetable glycerine usually has a raising agent added to it so it is useful for baking.
Stevia is another plant extract that is a pure sugar. This can be used as a natural sugar substitute but is not ideal for baking.
Fresh fruit should only ever be excluded from your diet on medical advice as its nutritional benefits are important for a balanced diet. If struggling with candida, avoiding higher sugar choices such as melon or grapes may be desireable until symptoms come under control. Dried fruit is naturally more concentrated in sugar and tends to be eaten in larger quantities. For this reason it is best avoided until symptoms calm down then eaten in moderation.
Welcome to Yeast Infection Helpdesk
March 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Hello and welcome to Yeast Infection Helpdesk.
At this site you will find the definitive guide to all manner of yeast infection, the causes of yeast infections as well as reviews of tried and tested remedies for yeast infection in men, women and children.
Yeast infections (also known as candidiasis or thrush) can cause such misery especially when chronic or recurrent infections occur. Our aim is to provide a discreet source of information about why yeast infections happen, the symptons of thrush as well as reviews of over the counter treatments and natural home remedies for yeast infections.
Watch this site and you will see its database growing over the coming weeks on everything you need to know about yeast infection.