What Is Yeast Infection & How To Treat It?
Yeast infections are common fungal overgrowths that can affect the vagina, mouth, skin folds, or diaper area. This guide explains typical symptoms, when to get a diagnosis, safe treatment options, and what to know about home remedies. Learn how antifungal therapy works and practical steps that reduce irritation and recurrence.
Yeast infections happen when Candida, a fungus that normally lives on the body, grows beyond its usual balance. The result can be itching, burning, redness, swelling, and in genital infections a thick white discharge. In the mouth or throat, white patches and soreness are typical, while in skin folds you may see a red rash with satellite bumps. These infections are common and treatable, but the right approach depends on location, severity, and personal health factors such as diabetes, pregnancy, or a weakened immune system.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.
Antifungal medications
Antifungal medications are the mainstay for clearing yeast infections. For vaginal infections, many people start with over the counter azole treatments such as clotrimazole or miconazole in creams, suppositories, or ovules. Treatment lengths vary, commonly 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days; longer regimens can be gentler and similarly effective. Prescription options include fluconazole tablets, often taken as a single dose and sometimes repeated after 72 hours for more persistent cases. For oral thrush, clinicians may recommend nystatin suspension or clotrimazole troches, while skin fold candidiasis typically responds to topical azoles. If infections keep returning or do not improve, a clinician may culture the area to identify the specific Candida species and tailor therapy.
Home remedies like yogurt or vinegar
Many home remedies circulate online, but safety and evidence vary. Plain yogurt with live cultures can be soothing on external irritated skin and may help support a healthy skin environment, but it does not replace antifungal treatment for an active infection. Putting yogurt or any food product inside the vagina is not advised. Vinegar, douching solutions, and harsh cleansers can irritate delicate tissue and may worsen symptoms, so they are not recommended. Supportive measures that are safer include gentle washing with water, patting dry, wearing breathable cotton underwear, changing out of damp clothing promptly, and using fragrance free products on the skin. For oral thrush, good oral hygiene and rinsing the mouth after inhaled steroid use are helpful adjuncts.
Eliminate the fungus safely
To eliminate the fungus and relieve symptoms, confirm the cause and use antifungal medications as directed for the full course, even if you feel better early. Avoid steroid creams on a suspected fungal rash unless advised by a clinician, as steroids can mask or worsen fungal growth. Seek medical care for your first episode of vaginal symptoms, if you have severe pain or swelling, fever, sores, a foul smell, or if you are pregnant. Recurrent episodes four or more times per year, diabetes that is not well controlled, and immune suppression are reasons for personalized medical evaluation. Symptoms that do not improve after appropriate over the counter therapy should be reviewed by a clinician to check for other causes such as bacterial infections or sexually transmitted infections.
Here are commonly used treatment options summarized by formulation and typical use. Availability can vary by country and brand naming.
| Product or Service Name | Provider | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Clotrimazole 1 percent vaginal cream or suppository | Various generics, Canesten brand in many countries | Over the counter azole; typical 3 to 7 day regimens for vaginal infections |
| Miconazole vaginal cream or ovule | Various generics, Monistat brand in some markets | Over the counter azole; available as 1, 3, or 7 day regimens |
| Tioconazole vaginal ointment single dose | Monistat 1 brand in some markets | Single application option for vaginal infections; may cause transient irritation |
| Fluconazole oral tablet | Generic, Diflucan brand in some markets | Prescription oral therapy; often a single dose, sometimes two to three doses for persistent symptoms as directed by a clinician |
| Nystatin oral suspension for thrush | Various generics | Swish and swallow for oral candidiasis; dosing frequency guided by a clinician |
Preventing recurrences often means reducing moisture and friction and supporting the skin barrier. Choose loose, breathable clothing and underwear, change out of sweaty or wet garments quickly, and dry folds of skin thoroughly after bathing. For athletes and those in humid climates, using absorbent powders in skin folds may help reduce dampness. Manage underlying factors such as blood sugar if you have diabetes, and review medications with your clinician if you have frequent infections.
When selecting an over the counter option, match the formulation to your symptoms and site. Vaginal products are for vaginal use only; do not use them orally or on the eyes. For oral thrush, do not use vaginal or skin products. Always read the product label and follow directions. If you are pregnant, seek medical advice before using any treatment. For infants with suspected thrush or diaper area yeast rash, consult a pediatric clinician for age appropriate therapy.
Conclusion Yeast infections are common, uncomfortable, and usually straightforward to treat when accurately identified. Antifungal medications clear the overgrowth, while supportive care reduces irritation and helps the skin recover. Home remedies should be approached cautiously, with avoidance of irritating substances like vinegar or douching. If symptoms are severe, recurrent, or uncertain, a clinician can confirm the diagnosis and guide the safest and most effective treatment plan.
