Prevention is better than cure. One should appreciate the weight of this statement. A lot of people don’t consider prevention resulting in worse scenarios, not to mention expensive treatments when actual conditions occur. You should note that it is not difficult to prevent yeast infection. These tips on how to prevent yeast infections are proven to give you a simple and cheaper option.
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The nature of yeast infection
First of all, you should understand the nature of yeast infection. It results from the overgrowth of the fungi Candida. This fungus is present in our body and it is believed that there is no way to prevent contact with such microorganisms. This means that everyone walking in this world has fungi in them. This is because these microorganisms are naturally occurring or innate in the body. They are harmless in certain amounts, only when they proliferate can they become harmful and threat. Yeast especially Candida albicans strive in dark, moist areas of the body. Complementing such an environment with our habits will put you at risk for infections.
How to prevent a yeast infection
The first method of prevention for you is to wear proper clothing. As much as possible, try to avoid wet clothing especially bathing suits, damp underwear, and other clothes. Moreover, tight-fitted clothes, especially pants and jeans should be avoided. Spandex and leotards are no-nos as well. The enclosed area caused by the tight clothes inhibits the skin to breathe. This leads to moisture and also irritation may arise from close skin contact.
Nylon materials are avoided for they can cause moistures and are quite constrictive. The ideal material is cotton where it is clean and the fabric allows adequate circulation of air in the area. In addition, avoid wearing pantyhose. Wearing cotton underwear beneath the pantyhose can be a good idea.
Nothing beats the prevention of yeast infection by having good personal hygiene. Keep yourself clean at most times especially in the areas where candidiasis are likely. For women, keeping the vaginal area dry and clean will help prevent the growth of candida fungus. Studies show that applications of perfumed tampons, deodorant napkins, and other commercial feminine hygiene products promote the growth of the fungi. It is better to stick with natural stuff, and it is better to do regular bathing and drying rather than masking it with perfumes.
If your sex life is on the active side, then it is best to wear condoms. Though take note that yeast infection is not basically sexually transmitted, it is best to practice safe sex and this could prevent you from acquiring or transferring yeast infections to your partner, especially if you know that you or your partner is diagnosed. Recurring yeast infection is likely if both of you share the same conditions while the other one is not on treatment.
Some medications may interfere with your healing process with a yeast infection. Antibiotics or simply antibacterial products can lead to further growth of yeast. For best practice, avoid antibiotics when you are undergoing treatment or when you’re infected. Ironically, some probiotics or good bacteria help maintain the balance of microorganisms in the body. This means that overgrowth of fungus or candida Albicans is not possible when it is prevented by other microorganisms who share the environment and nutrients. You should consult with your doctor before withholding any medications.
Diet for yeast infection is also crucial. Eating too many carbohydrates and sugar predisposes you to an infection. Yeast relies on these products and adding more yeast products even allows them to reproduce. Fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits help you prevent having the infection. Another thing to consider is food preparation. For best practice avoid combining cooked and fresh foods in one meal. This will cause food to ferment in your stomach. Fermented foods will harbor more growth of the fungus and also other bacteria.
If you are diabetic, then you should be in strict adherence to a healthy diet. There is a high association of recurring yeast infections with people having diabetes mellitus. This is because the body has high sugar levels keeping your candidates at bay.
These are just a few tips on how to prevent yeast infections. As you go along with more preventive tips, you’ll discover a lot more about these. Make sure you do proper research and focus on natural and safe methods. And as always, consult your doctor for irregularities.
