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Getting Rid of Chronic Yeast Infection

A yeast infection is bad enough but dealing with chronic yeast infection is much worse. Chronic infections occur over and over again despite the use of different medications for treatment. Yeast infections are caused by an imbalance in the bacterial population in the body. Thus, getting rid of chronic yeast infection requires proper balance to be restored. Unfortunately, prescription medications may be able to eliminate the yeast temporarily but they cannot correct the bacterial imbalance.

Candida albicans is the yeast organism responsible for most chronic yeast infections. Dietary factors, stress and the environment can cause the infection to flare up from time to time. The use of prescription antibiotics can upset the natural balance of microorganisms in the digestive system by killing off good bacteria along with the bad. This allows the yeast to multiply profusely in the digestive tract, and before long symptoms of yeast infection start to appear.

Chronic yeast infections, if untreated, can bring about digestive problems, migraine headaches, skin irritation and skin discoloring. Symptoms associated with candida infections include unexplained rashes, dry or oily skin and scalp, vaginal itching, sinus problems, rectal itch, athlete’s foot, etc.

The first step in getting rid of chronic yeast infection is to kill off the yeast in order to gain relief from the symptoms and start the healing process. After that, you have to replenish the good bacteria in your system. Yogurt and buttermilk contain probiotics or good bacteria that help fight the infection.

Lifestyle changes are often necessary to get rid of chronic yeast infection. This usually involves the chemicals and foods that you put into your body. Steps that can help prevent or eliminate yeast or candida infection include the following:

1. Wear skirts or dresses without underwear whenever practical.

2. At other times, wear cotton underwear with loose pants, dresses or skirts.

3. Limit your sugar intake as yeast thrives on sugar.

4. Avoid processed meats that contain nitrites as preservatives. Nitrites can kill ff good bacteria.

5. If you are using oral contraceptives, consider changing your birth control pills. If possible, use non-hormonal forms of birth control since hormone levels are factors in yeast infection.

6. Pat yourself dry before getting dressed.

7. Wipe yourself from front to back to prevent possible contamination of the vagina.

8. Stop using douches unless instructed by your physician. Bath soaps and douches can irritate the vagina.

Getting rid of chronic yeast infection can be very difficult especially when the yeast has broken out of your digestive system and invaded other parts of your body. When this happens, lifestyle changes will play a very important role in controlling the infection.