5 Things You Need to Know About Yeast Infections

1. Cure the Itch

When a woman gets one of those nasty, itchy yeast infections, she reaches for the over-the-counter yeast infection treatment and it clears up. However, sometimes a doctor's visit is necessary. When you have yeast infection symptoms that don't seem to go away with treatment, you need to call your doctor. It could be a sign of a serious condition such as diabetes, leukemia or AIDS.

2. Yeast Infections Mimic Bacterial Infections

Sometimes yeast infection symptoms can mimic other conditions, such as bladder infection or vaginitis. Knowing the specific symptoms can help you better determine if it is truly a yeast infection. This is important because treating for a yeast infection when what you are really suffering from is a bacterial infection is counter-productive. You'll be feeding the very thing you are trying to destroy by disrupting the "flora and fauna," which just means the balance between the two types of organisms.

3. Look For Redness, Swelling, Pain and The Itch

Yeast infections cause burning, redness and swelling of most tissues they infect. They are fond of moist places on the body, such as the mouth and vagina. Other places you may find yeast overgrowth include under the breasts, under the arms and in skin folds anywhere on the body. Redness, swelling and sometimes itchiness are the more common symptoms of yeast infections on the skin. A vaginal yeast infection can cause discharge that resembles cottage cheese, painful intercourse and pain when urinating. These symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the infection.

4. Yeast Takes a Toll on the Immune System

Your doctor can help you determine whether you are dealing with a yeast infection or something else altogether. Sometimes they can determine this by the symptoms you describe to them over the phone, but they may need you to come in and have the infection looked at. The doctor will take a swab of the infected tissue and look at it under a microscope. Even if it is "only" a yeast infection, you need to contact your doctor. Healthy immune systems typically fight off yeast, so you might be dealing with some disease taking a toll on your immune system.

5. Can You Avoid a Yeast Infection?

Avoiding certain types of medication, such as antibiotics and steroids, will decrease your chances of getting a yeast infection, since these drugs disrupt your body's balance. Don't ask your doctor for antibiotics for cold or flu symptoms; these are viruses and antibiotic therapy will not help you get better any quicker. Instead, eat plenty of immune boosting fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries and greens. Other things that may cause yeast infections are pregnancy, menstruation and birth control pills, because of the change in your body's hormone levels. Yeast infections are more common after menopause for this same reason. Diabetes and contact with sperm can also increase your risk.