According to Womenshealth.gov, yeast infections affect approximately 75 percent of women at some point in their lives. The most common symptoms of yeast infections include burning, redness and swelling. If you think you have a yeast infection, especially if this is your first one, you should contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Yeast infections often mimic other diseases. Even if you go to the doctor, many at-home remedies exist for the treatment of yeast infections.
Yogurt
According to the Feminists Women's Health Center, using yogurt helps treat your yeast infection. You can insert plain, unpasteurized yogurt into the vagina with a small spoon, small spatula or vaginal cream applicator. It is best to use the treatment at night and wear a pad. If straight yogurt is painful, make a yogurt douche by adding water and insert with a squeeze bottle.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar makes it hard for yeast to grow. According to Natural-Homeremedies-For-Life.com, you can make an apple cider vinegar bath by drawing a hot bath and adding two cups of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup of salt. Soak in the bath for 20 minutes, being sure to dry completely when finished. To make a wash, dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add a crushed clove of garlic. Let mixture stand for a several minutes. Use mixture to cleanse affected area or soak a tampon in it and insert it into the vagina.
Juice
In an article on MotherNature.com, naturopathic physician Elaine Gillaspie advises that consuming fresh cranberry or blackberry juice each day may help speed the healing of a yeast infection. She advises to make your own from fresh or frozen berries. However, if you are unable to do so, use unsweetened cranberry concentrate. Most bottled cranberry juice contains a lot of sugar or corn syrup, which encourages yeast growth.
Garlic
According to Natural-Homeremedies-For-Life.com, garlic is a natural antibiotic and antifungal. Consuming garlic can help treat yeast infections a little. However, using garlic as a suppository or as a douche may offer best results. To use garlic as a suppository, peal a clove of garlic, wrap it in a piece of gauze or cheesecloth, and close it well. Insert it into your vagina like you would a tampon, making sure a piece of the cloth stays out for easy removal. Insert the suppository at night before bed. To make a garlic douche, crush a clove of garlic, place in water and let sit for several minutes. When you use the homemade douche, it may sting a little. Clean everything the douche touches well after using it.
