Are vaginal yeast infections contagious?
November 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
During sexual contact, are vaginal yeast infections contagious?
Whilst it is possible that vaginal yeast infections are contagious during sexual contact, it is unusual. Because of the differences between male and female sexual organs, a woman is more likely to contract vaginal thrush from her sexual partner if he is infected with male yeast infection as the female genitalia are not as exposed to air (making an easier habitat for candida overgrowth to happen once the fungus has been introduced to the vagina - being warm and damp).
Bt contrast, male genitalia are exposed to the air and have the opportunity to dry out as well as gain contact with air (if loose fitting ujnderwear is worn). Being exposed to air and being dry causes the fungus to dry out making a vaginal yeast infection less contagious for men who are worried about it spreading to their penis.
The only real exception to this is when there is sustained and regular sexual contact with a partner who has a yeast infection. If this happens, your partner may experience red of itchy small bumps on the penis. If this happens, he should see his doctor and obtain treatment.
If you think that either of you have a yeast infection, it is advisable, during treatment, to use a condom during sexual intercourse as this will reduce the risk of passing the infection back and forth. You should also avoid the risk of passing infection from the rectal to the vaginal / penile area.
Are there any other situations where vaginal yeast infection may be contagious?
If a woman has a vaginal yeast infection, it is important to pay attention to personal hygiene and avoiding cross contamination between household members - say by sharing bath towels. If you suspect that that you have a yeast infection, make sure that you are the sole user of your towels, flannels and bath sponges until the infection has cleared up. This is good personal hygiene practice anyway …but can be overlooked sometimes when, say, a child grabs the first towel that comes to hand in the bathroom.
Is it okay to swim whilst treating vaginal yeast infection?
November 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
When considering “Is it okay to swim whilst treating vaginal yeast infection?” it is important to take into account the factors that increase the risk of yeast infection.
Damp clothes can encourage candida overgrowth
Swimming itself will not cause candida overgrowth. However, remaining in a damp swimming costume for too long afterwards will exacerbate your symptoms of vaginal yeast infection as the warm damp environment encourages candida overgrowth.
With this in mind, it is important after swimming to shower down well….especially in the vaginal area and dry the area well. In this way the irritating effect of chlorine and the candida growing effect of the damp environment will be eliminated.
Apply vaginal yeast infection treatments after swimming and not before
If using thrush cream (such as cloritramazole or micronazole), apply the medication after your swim and shower thus gaining the full benefits rather than washing the ointment or cream off in the swimming pool.
Similarly, if using natural home yeast infection remedies, wait until after your swim.
The only treatment for vaginal yeast infection that it is NOT okay to swim whilst treating a vaginal yeast infection is pessaries. These are usually inserted into the vagina at night time. With this in mind, a swim for 24 hours after inserting a pessary is not advised as your medication will be diluted in the vagina making it less effective. The whole point of a pessary is to bathe the vagina in the medication for as long as it remains in the vagina….the longer the better as far as effective treatment is concerned.
So, is it okay to swim whilst treating vaginal yeast infection?
If you are using pesseries to treat your vaginal yeast infection symptoms it is best to delay swimming during the course of your treatment so as to gain optimum benefits from it.
Otherwise, as discussed above, provided you are diligent in personal hygiene after swimming and apply treatment after your swim and not before, there is no reason why you should not swim whilst treating vaginal yeast infection.
Symptoms of vaginal yeast infection
November 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
What are the key symptoms of vaginal yeast infection?
For many women, the first sign of vaginal yeast infection symptoms are an odourless discharge and vulval itchiness. They may also experience pain on urinating and on sexual intercourse. All of these are what we might consider classic symptoms of vaginal yeast infection….but why do these symptoms affect us in this way? How can we distinguish vaginal yeast infection symptoms from other vulval irritants or infections?
Symptoms for vaginal yeast infection explained
When looking for symptoms for vaginal yeast infection, the following will happen:
- Candida overgrowth causes a heavy vaginal discharge. For yeast infection, this is always odourless and will have a white and curdlike appearance. If your discharge has a clear appearance but a slightly fishy odour, it is possible that you have a condition known as bacterial vaginosis. This would need different treatment from symptoms for vaginal yeast infection. For that reason, accurate diagnosis by your doctor is helpful.
- Because of the discharge in your vagina and the irritated skin in that area, there will be vaginal itching (often severe).
- The discharge and possible scratching of the affected area can leave red, irritated skin around the opening to the vagina (labia).
- This area will be irritated by urination when the urine touches the irritated skin.
- Likewise, sexual intercourse may be painful due to the rubbing of the affected area.
The symptoms of vaginal yeast infection are more likely to occur in the week leading up to your menstrual period. They may correct themselves with the onset of menstruation as the ph balance in the vagina corrects itself.
What other factors might cause symptoms like vaginal yeast infection?
As already mentioned, bacterial vaginosis or sexually transnmitted diseases may cause discharge, vulval pain and irritated skin in and around the vagina. If you are not sure whether your symptoms are yeast infection or caused by something else, Yeast Infection Helpdesk recommends a proper diagnosis by a qualified professional.
Less serious causes of skin irritation and similar symptoms to vaginal yeast infection may include allergies to detergents used for washing. For those with sensitive skins, hypo-allergenic or non-biological detergents are worth trying if your have some but not all of the above vaginal yeast infection symptoms.
Home Remedies for Oral Thrush
November 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
What is oral thrush?
Oral thrush is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful overgrowth of candida albicans in the mouth that can be caused by too much sugar in the diet, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and compromised immune systems. It can also appear in new born babies who may have contracted this yeast infection from their mother during delivery if she was unfortunate enough to have a yeast infection during pregnancy. Candida esophagitis can also lead to oral thrush as the yeast infection spreads up the gut into the mouth.
Because the symptoms of oral thrush are so unpleasant and it is potentially a contagious condition (for those with increased risk factors), prompt oral thrush treatment is necessary.
What are the available home remedies for oral thrush?
Home remedies for oral thrush need to take the approach of being antifungal and restoring “healthy bacteria” in the mouth and gut. If your oral thrush symptoms are caused by ongoing medical treatment, say for cancer, HIV or Aids, then you will need to take advice from your medical practitioner as well as using home remedies for oral thrush to reduce your oral thrush symptoms naturally.
- The symptom of oral thrush that many sufferers describe is a feeling of not being able to swallow or of something being stuck at the top of the throat. This is cause by lesions in the mouth. Very gentle wiping of this area with cotton wool, a flannel or a specially made toothbrush for cleaning the tongue can gain superficial relief from this oral thrush symptom.
- A mouthwash made up of warm water, cider vinegar and a pinch of salt can have an anti-fungal effect that can be swished around all corners of the mouth and gargled in the throat. Not the tastiest of mouthwashes but a reliable home remedy for oral thrush.
- Garlic and onions (but particularly garlic) are powerful antifungal agents. Increasing these ingredients in your diet will help to kill candida in the mouth and down the digestive tract. the garlic kills the yeast infection whilst the onions help to heal the white patches (lesions) in the mouth.
- Eating live yogurt, swishing it around in the mouth a bit then not eating or drinking anything for a short while afterwards will help to replace the “healthy bacteria” acidophillus in the mouth and gut. Adequate acidophillus levels are your first line of defence against yeast infection as it helps to hold the candida overgrowth at bay.
For full details of holistic and thoroughly tested home remedies for oral thrush, Linda Allen’s book Yeast Infection No More is highly recommended from personal experience. In this concise, yet powerful book, Linda details quantities for mixing home remedies plus how to tailor remedies to your own specific circumstances and medical history. In addition, she offers personal email support as part of her personal commitment to ensure your yeast infection is fully treated and the likelihood of it returning is reduced through adopting her holistic approach.
Is Oral Thrush Contagious?
November 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In what way is oral thrush contagious?
Whilst unusual for oral thrush to spread from one person to another if they are both healthy, it is possible for the yeast causing thrush to pass from one person to another in various ways if they are more susceptible.
(1) What can cause oral thrush in infants?
If a pregnant woman has a yeast infection during pregnancy, following contact with the birth canal’s thrush, oral thrush symptoms can easily manifest in the newborn child 3 to 7 days after birth. After contact with thrush oral symptoms easily appear in newborn children as their immune system is immature and they need to develop the healthy bacteria that will fight candida overgrowth in the mouth.
In answer to is “oral thrush contagious?” the answer is “yes” as far as mother and breastfeeding child as the yeast infection can pass back and forth between mother and child. This can cause oral thrush in the infant and yeast infection of the nipple in the mother.
(2) Is oral thrush contagious in older children?
If toddlers, older children and adults are generally healthy and without otherwise compromised immune systems, thrush is not usually contagious. However, if for some reason the immune system is compromised, a child or toddler can develop thrush orally by sharing infected toys or pacifiers with a child who already has oral thrush. Playgroups and nurseries need to therfore be very aware of toy hygiene to prevent the spread of germs and infections.
(3) How is oral thrush contagious in adults?
For adults there are different risk factors. For people with weakened immune systems it is unusual but possible that oral thrush is contagious through kissing and / or participating in oral sex.
Adults wearing dentures (false teeth) can also experience oral thrush and then spread yeast on their hands by handling dentures then touching other objects that someone else may put in their mouth. Personal hygiene is an important way for preventing thrush’s oral symptoms from spreading.
Preventing the causes of oral thrush
If struggling to get rid of thrush - oral, vaginal or male - it is important to address the causes of oral thrush so that the symptoms do not become recurrent. Yeast Infection Helpdesk recommends a holistic approach as this will tackle the underlying causes of oral thrush as well as treating you oral thrush symptoms. This combined approach alongside Linda Allen’s personal support to guaruntee your effective treatment makes a powerful package that I can personally recommend having used it myself.
What is oral thrush?
November 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
What is oral thrush?
Oral thrush is an unpleasant condition whereby the the fungus Candida Albicans overgrows on your mouth’s lining. Oral thrush can happen to anyone …adults, children and babies….especially if they have a compromised immune system due to, say, diabetes, HIV or aids.
As a type of yeast infection, candida overgrowth is not usually a major problem for healthy children and adults. However, if a person has got a compromised immune system, the symptoms of oral thrush may be much more severe, more likely to spread and difficult to control.
What oral thrush symptoms are most common?
The first visual oral thrush symptoms will be lesions on the inner cheeks or tongue. These will be creamy white in colour and resemble cottage cheese in appearance.
Before noticing visual oral thrush symptoms you may, however,have noticed painful areas in the mouth that hurt or even bleed when brushing your teeth or being scraped by eating coarser food.
In severe cases, the symptoms of oral thrush will appear throughout the mouth, gums, tonsils and throat making the sufferer feel very miserable indeed. Where the lesions continue down into the esophagus (the tube leading from mouth to stomach) it is known as candida esophagitis. The cottage cheese appearance of the lesions is what makes sufferers of candida esophagitis experience difficulty swallowing as if something is stuck as the back of the throat.
Although oral thrush symptoms often develop suddenly, they may take a long time to clear up.
What are the symptoms of infant oral thrush?
If an infant is going to develop oral thrush symptoms it will happen during the first few weeks of life. As well as the visual symptoms of oral thrush listed above, other clues may be that your baby has become fussy or irritable when feeding. This will be because baby’s oral thrush symptoms are making swallowing uncomfortable if not painful.
Other clues may be in the breast feeding mother….as baby and mother often pass the yeast infection back and forth until they are both treated between mother’s breasts and baby’s mouth. If a breast feeding mother has a yeast infection of the nipple or breast the following symptoms of yeast infection may be experienced:
- The nipples may become unusually red or sensitive to touch.
- Previously straight forward breast feeding may sudddenly become painful and that pain may continue between feeds.
- The skin on the areola may be shiny or start to flake.
- When the yeast infection has penetrated the breast, stabbing pains deep in the breast are common.
How do I treat my oral thrush symptoms?
If you are suffering symptoms of oral thrush as described above, you will be wanting relief from your yeast infection as soon as possible. Whether it be for an adult or a new born baby, it is always preferable to clear up symptoms as naturally as possible. For this reason, Yeast Infection Helpdesk recommends a holistic approach to treating oral thrush speedily and safely. Linda Allen offers a wonderful extra over other yeast infection cures on the market in that you can contact her personally, once you have bought her book, for specialist advice to ensure that the oral thrush treatments she outlines are tailored to you needs and will work for you. I can personally recommend this excellent book having used it myself.
Treatment for male yeast infections
October 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Will male yeast infection symptoms go away without treatment?
What self-help treatment for male yeast infection can I use?
Good personal hygeine practices can go a long way to keeping male yeast infection symptoms at bay:
- frequent baths help wash away surface conditions such as sweat (that provides a moist environment for candida overgrowth to start).
- showering the genital area with cool water at the end of your abolutions will make the environment less warm for candida to multiply. This tip will also give you relief from the itching too.
- an unusual one this….after a bath or shower, set your hair dryer onto a cool setting and give a quick blast to you already towel dried genitals. This gives a completely dry start to you day wearing trousers or shorts removing that moist atmosphere candida loves for as long as possible.
- cotton underwear changed regularly will make your genitals less clammy…especially during summer heat or after exercising / other physical activity.
- avoid wearing a damp swimming costume for too long as that generates a warm damp environment too.
What other male yeast infection treatment is needed?
Most men who suffer from male yeast infection or jock itch can control it with anti-fungal creams that can easily be purchased in local pharmacies / drug stores without any need for prescriptions. Common creams used are clotrimazole, micronazole as well as terconazole.
If a stubborn yeast infection persists, then stronger medication would be required for male yeast infection treatment and these may include using nystatin or oral medicines like fluconazole or lamisil.
Vaginal Yeast infection - Symptoms you may notice
October 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Vaginal Yeast Infections - Symptoms
If you have a vaginal yeast infection, the symptoms you may notice are as follows:
- Vaginal itching that may be severe and persistant itching
- The skin around the vagina (labia) may become red and irritated (particularly if the itching symptom of yeast infection has occurred as an “itch-scratch-itch” cycle may occur and make your vaginal yeast infection symptoms worse.
- Because if this irritated red skin, urination may irritate it when the urine touches the skin
- The irritation to the skin caused by vaginal yeast infection may also make sexual intercourse painful. Infact, for some women (who do not experience the itching symptoms of vaginal thrush) pain on sexual intercourse may be the first indication of vaginal yeast infection symptoms.
- There may be a vaginal discarge that is odourless, white and curdlike. If the discharge smells unpleasant, this may indicate that you do not have vaginal yeast infection but another condition called bacterial vaginosis.
What are the likey causes of my vaginal yeast infection symptoms?
Your symptoms of vaginal yeast infection are more likely to happen in the days leading up to a menstrual period. Some women find that the onset of the menstrual period helps their vaginal yeast infection symptoms to clear up wheras others need their period to be over before they gain relief.
It is important to get a proper diagnosis from your health professional before treating vaginal yeast infection symptoms as, if there is an itchy and red vulva alone, this may indicate a reaction to soap or a washing powder being used. Some people react to spermicidal jelly and douches with vaginal itching that can be mistaken for a vaginal yeast infection.
Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
October 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Why some women experience yeast infection during pregnancy
Yeast infection during pregnancy, sometimes known as thrush, is a very common scenario as the hormone levels during pregnancy cause an increase in the glycogen (sugar) content of vaginal secretions. This increased presence of sugar can make yeast infection during pregnancy very stubborn to treat.
Increased presence of sugar in the vagina may also be due to sugar passed in the urine due to gestational diabetes. This is a fairly common and temporary condition during pregnancy. For this reason a chronic yeast infection in pregnancy MUST be checked out with your medical practitioner who will be able to formally diagnose a yeast infection as well as review possible causes - otherwise it may become a recurrent problem. This will ensure that the correct and safest treatment (whether it be for prescription, over the counter or natural home remedies) is given ensuring the welfare of both you and your growing baby.
During pregnancy it is always best to avoid medications wherever possible and to NEVER treat yourself for a condition without the express advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Treatment of yeast infection during pregnancy:
It is reassuring to know that, if you do have a yeast infection, it will not, in itself, harm your developing baby in any way.
However, should there still be symptoms of thrush during labour it is possible that your baby will contract it whilst passing through the birth canal. This may lead to baby thrush which is effectively oral thrush and is the most common cause of yeast infections in babies. If left untreated this may be passed on to your nipples if breastfeeding. Treatment for baby yeast infections is very straightforward with prescription remedies or gentian violet being the most popular approaches.
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.