Yeast Infection Treatment
Yeast infection is a common infection in women. It is also commonly known as candidiasis and it is caused by a group of fungi or yeast. There are many species of candida and the commonest to cause infection in humans is candida albicans. The yeast is a commensal and present on our skin normally. Under some conditions like warm and humid conditions as seen in vagina and oral cavity (oral candidiasis or thrush) these candida grows to large numbers and cause infection.
The sign and symptoms of yeast or candida infection depend on the type of infection and also the site of infection. In vaginal candidiasis the symptoms are white discharge from vagina, itching in vagina, and irritation of vagina and its surrounding areas. Other symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include burning during urination and pain during sexual intercourse. The symptoms of oral candidiasis are white patches on top of a red base in tongue, palate or other parts in the oral cavity. The white patches looks like milk curd, but it can not be wiped away easily. If it is wiped away with an applicator it causes bleeding from the site. It can also cause redness of tongue.
Yeast infection treatment is done with anti fungal drugs like miconazole, clotrimazole, butoconazole etc. All these anti fungal drugs are available easily as they are over the counter drugs. The drugs have to be massaged into vagina and surrounding areas for up to 7 days depending on the preparation of the anti fungal drug. But yeast infection treatment should be discontinued if irritation to vagina or surrounding areas occurs. During pregnancy anti fungal drugs should not be used and doctor should be consulted. If it is oral candidiasis or thrush it can be treated with anti fungal agent nystatin or amphotericin B.