| To prevent candidiasis, follow these | | | | |
| guidelines: Keep moist areas of the body cool | | | | It is normal to have some fungus, or yeast, |
| and dry.Avoid wearing a wet bathing suit or | | | | on the body. Bacteria usually keep the growth |
| damp clothing for long periods of time. Avoid | | | | of the yeast in check.However, sometimes the |
| frequent douching.Avoid bubble baths (scented | | | | yeast grows (multiplies) quickly and causes |
| or unscented). Avoid wearing underwear made | | | | an infection. There are several situations in |
| from nylon or other nonventilating materials. | | | | which the yeast may multiply. For example, |
| Avoid wearing tight pantyhose or tight pants. | | | | antibiotic medicine may kill the bacteria |
| Add yogurt to your diet. Avoid frequent or | | | | that keep yeast levels down. Conditions that |
| prolonged use of oral antibiotics if | | | | cause hormonal changes, such as menopause, |
| possible. | | | | pregnancy, or taking birth control pills, may |
| | | | also cause the yeast to grow. Yeast |
| You can prevent yeast infections by making | | | | infections are often associated with |
| sure that your genital area stays as dry as | | | | diabetes, especiallywhen the blood sugar |
| possible and can breathe. For example: | | | | level is too high. Recurring or stubborn |
| | | | cases of vaginal candidiasis may sometimes be |
| Unfortunately, about 5 percent of these women | | | | an early sign of diabetes. In some cases, |
| will have frequent infections. Recurrence has | | | | yeast infections that don't go away are an |
| many possible causes -- incomplete treatment | | | | early sign of HIV infection. Drugsthat |
| of a yeast infection, chronic health | | | | suppress the body's defense system (such as |
| conditions, and medications such as steroids. | | | | drugs used to treat AIDS) also allow the |
| It may even be something else entirely, which | | | | yeast to grow and spread. Candidiasis usually |
| is why you should consult your own doctor if | | | | is not spread by sexual intercourse. |
| it happens to you. | | | | |
| | | | Yeast infections can be uncomfortable, but |
| Parasites are almost always found where there | | | | there are many herbal remedies that use very |
| is candida overgrowth and may have played a | | | | simple components that can help relieve and |
| significant role in causing the candida | | | | ease their symptoms. In addition, there are |
| overgrowth. Many excrete ammonia and toxins | | | | some things to note during a yeast infection |
| that kill friendly bacteria such as | | | | -- such as cutting down on fruit -- that may |
| acidophilus just like candida does. Anything | | | | help you be more comfortable during its |
| that kills friendly bacteris, like | | | | duration. |
| antibiotics, will help the candida to | | | | |
| overgrow, as the friendly flora in your | | | | Various topical creams may be used to relieve |
| intestinal tract are supposed to keep candida | | | | itching or irritation of the vulva (folds of |
| and harmful bacteria in check. Some types of | | | | skin on the outside of the vagina). Oral |
| parasites will suppress the immune system | | | | medications may be necessary, but these can |
| response in the intestines which would enable | | | | be obtained only by prescription from a |
| yeast to overgrow. | | | | physician. |