If left untreated, a yeast infection can cause innumerable health problems. While most cases of yeast infection go away on their own without any treatment, some cases tend to get worse with time. This is very true in the case of individuals who are prone to infections or have a weakened immune system. Untreated yeast infections would lead to unbearable itching in the affected area, which in turn would lead to pain, abrasions, scarring and a burning sensation.
Worsened cases of the infection could also cause other health problems like headaches, oral thrush, mood swings, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues and even an impairment of the immune system. Therefore, it is necessary to spot the symptoms of a yeast infection early on and get the condition treated as soon as possible.
Symptoms to look out for
Some of the symptoms you should be looking out for in the case of a yeast infection include itching, redness and soreness in the area, foul smelling whitish discharge from the genital area, appearance of lesions or white spots in the genital area and uncomfortable/painful sexual intercourse.
Effective Treatments
Yeast infections are best treated at the time the first symptoms start appearing. Home remedies for yeast infections include OTC antifungal creams, which you can apply on the affected area. Bathing in lukewarm water and apple cider vinegar solution (2 cups added to bathwater) can also help treat yeast infections.
Women can insert a tampon dipped in plain, unsweetened yogurt into their vagina for an hour or so. Both sexes should refrain from sexual intercourse during this period as well as it could cause the infection to move back and forth between them.
Preventing Yeast Infections
Better be safe than sorry. The fungus behind the yeast infection likes the dark, warm and moist areas of the body. Keeping yourself dry and aired out is the first step to preventing this fungus from spreading. You would also need to drink a lot of water to flush out infection causing bacteria from your system.
Also, go for leafy green vegetables and yogurts to keep yeast infections at bay. Stay away from processed foods as well as those that contain high levels of sugar as these would cause the fungus to multiply rapidly and spread all over the body. These simple changes in your diet would go a long way in treating and preventing yeast infections. Just remember to tackle the infection early on to avoid dealing with the embarrassing problem later.
Summary
Yeast infections can be embarrassing problems to deal with. Worse, they can cause a series of health issues if left untreated. So follow these tips to treat the condition early on as well as prevent future occurrences.