Candida, a yeast fungus, can infect the skin, mouth, urinary tract, vagina and other mucus membranes, creating a painful rash, itching or discharge. In many cases, home treatments and remedies are all that are needed to clear the infection. Talk to your doctor if the infection gets worse or if you are not sure you have a yeast infection. See your pediatrician if you have an infant who develops thrush, a common yeast infection in the mouth, before trying any home remedies or treatments.
Home Remedies
Some people claim home remedies are successful in treating yeast infections, though scientific studies to prove the effectiveness of these treatments are limited. Some women claim they have treated vaginal yeast infections with vinegar douches and tea tree oil cream applied to the vaginal area. Boric acid and garlic vaginal suppositories may also help clear vaginal yeast infections. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water can help relieve oral thrush symptoms. Garlic acts as a fungicide that may help clear the infection. Talk to your health care provider before using a home remedy to treat your infection.
Vitamins and Herbs
Some vitamins and herbs can help reduce yeast infection symptoms and help clear the infection faster. Vitamin C can help reduce inflammation, as can omega-3 fatty acids. Some herbs and spices act as natural antifungals, so taking supplements or adding more of certain spices to cooking can help reduce symptoms in some people. These include garlic, cloves, sage, cinnamon and oregano. Oral thrush symptoms may lessen with propolis, a pine resin substance created by bees.
Probiotics
Another common remedy for candidiasis is eating or applying plain yogurt to the vaginal area. Yogurt contains lactobacillus, a type of helpful bacteria found in the vagina, and consuming it can help provide symptom relief in some women. These probiotics help restore the helpful bacteria in the body's mucus membranes. Probiotics are also available in capsule form and some doctors recommend taking them while taking antibiotics to help prevent a yeast infection.
Other Home Treatments
Some of the most effective remedies for yeast infections are home treatments purchased over the counter. In many cases, yeast infections do not require medical treatment and will clear up with a few days to a couple weeks of home treatment. These remedies are particularly useful for vaginal yeast infections and usually include suppositories and creams with azole medications, which act as antifungals to clear the infection.
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