‘Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.’ So goes an old proverb.  Only a sufferer knows how painful yeast infection can be. Such a person leaves no stone unturned to get some relief from yeast infection, medically known as Candidiasis. However, most of the time the yeast infection relief remains out bound for them as the treatment they undergo does not cure the root cause.

It is imperative that we discuss the conditions which give rise to the yeast infection. It is caused by a fungus of candida species, which is forever present in our body, but is kept under control by probiotics, which is also present in our body. As long we have a strong immune system working for us and the pH factor is kept in balance, the Candida cannot multiply and create any problem for us. It multiplies and grows if
    There is a deficiency in the immune system.
    The pH factor that is the acidic and the alkaline factor are misbalanced.
    Too much intake of antibacterial medicines, steroids and certain birth control pills which kill the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) present in our body.
    Hormone changes takes place
    Vagina is exposed to excessive semen or to harsh douche.
    Air circulation is cut off by wearing tight clothing for a prolonged period.

When this happens, the Candida manifest itself as yeast infection on the warm and moist part of the body such as the genital area, between the toes, inside the mouth, in the armpit, under the breast or in the folds of skin which is generally moist and warm. The symptoms vary according to the locality of the manifestation:
    Oral thrush or the yeast infection in the mouth manifest itself first as redness of the tongue, palette and inside of the cheek, followed by a thick whitish covering which is hard to remove.
    Vaginitis or the yeast infection in the vaginal area causes extreme burning with a milky white discharge.
     Penile infection causes red, burning, itching rash near the end of the penis or under the foreskin.
    Yeast infection on other parts of the body starts with redness of the area followed by a itching. Very soon the area is covered by scalloped edged rash and the itching gives rise to a burning sensation.

Yeast infection medication can be bought over the counter or as prescribed medicines from the neighborhood drugstore. You can even order them over the internet and the medicines will be delivered at your doorstep. But you should always have it diagnosed by a doctor before start taking medicines on your own because not all red patches with itching sensation are yeast infection.

Fluconazole is the first choice for oral antifungal medicine. Though it is very expensive, it has become affordable because it is now recommended as single dose treatment. Diflucan, Sporanox, Nuzoral etc are some other antifungal medicines. Ketoconazol is no longer used because it has propensity to harm the liver. Besides these medicines may have side effects like headache, abdominal pain, nausea. As they take time to start acting some gel or cream are also recommended for local application.

There are other medicines like Candidate, Immune Plus, and Vagi-soothe which are also very effective. Such medicines generally try to weed out the root cause. Most of them being herbal and homeopathic in nature have little or no side effect.

There are however many home remedy for yeast infection. These are safe and you can start applying them even before you go to see the doctor. The first place can easily be given to yoghurt, the home made unsweetened variety. As fungus thrives on sweet, sweetened yoghurt will make things worse. Otherwise the beneficial bacteria present in the curd will destroy the yeast infection. You can take it as regular part of the diet and also apply externally. In case of vaginal infection, you can dip a tampon in yoghurt and insert it in the vagina 3 or 4 times a day. Having curd milk every night is also beneficial.

Some home remedies to be applied locally are:
    Diluted apple cider vinegar mixed with garlic paste
    5 grams Potassium Sorbate mixed in pint of water. A tampon dipped in the solution and kept overnight in the vagina yields good results.
    Olive leave extract and grape seeds mixed in a glass of water
    Applying honey for 15 minutes and then washing off with warm water.
    Tea tree oil
    Baby oil with aloe and vitamin E

Please note that home remedies are no substitute for a visit to the doctor. Please go and see the doctor because although superficial yeast infection are harmless and treatable, you will never know about the systematic variety, which can be fatal.