Yeast infections are usually thought to be something suffered by women, but the truth of the matter is that anyone can suffer from them. The most common type is in fact the vaginal infection (candidiasis) or penile infection, but there are around 20 different types of this infection. Yeast is a type of fungus that can occur anywhere on the body, but particularly in warm, moist places is where it thrives. Yeast is a perfectly natural ingredient in the body, and it is only when it overgrows that it becomes a problem.

Yeast infection treatment is usually administered by way of localized creams or lotions, or by oral antibiotics. Anti-fungal drugs act by destroying the yeast cell walls, so causing the yeast to leak out and die. The most commonly used type of yeast infection treatment is the group of anti-fungal drugs ending in –azole, examples being: miconazole, tioconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole and butoconazole. Antifungal pastilles dissolved in the mouth can treat other polyene antifungals used for thrush and similar surface infections are nystatin and amphotericin.

Yeast infection treatment will usually work quickly and clear up the problem within a couple of weeks. They might be only be a temporary solution to clear up the immediate problem by killing off the yeast and bacteria. Unfortunately, these solutions often kill off the good as well as the bad bacteria. That is one reason why the infections very often return after treatment, sometimes even worse than before. It is thought that people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to reoccurrences and the worsening of these infections. The rate of reoccurrence of yeast infections after treatment is thought to be as high as 95%. It is also thought that some yeast infections can be systemic, meaning that they can affect the whole body by entering the blood stream. 

Some women prefer to try out home remedies as a form of yeast infection treatment before resorting to going to the doctor for medication. Probably the most well-known home remedy for candidiasis is natural yogurt. Yogurt contains lactobacillus acidophilus, a healthy bacterium that kills yeast. You must make sure that the yogurt has no added sugar (which feeds yeast) and contains live acidophilus cultures. The most effective use is to smear the yogurt on the genital area and insert into the vagina. Some women are not too keen on this however, and prefer to eat the yogurt. Studies have in fact shown that regular eating of natural yogurt can help stave off future attacks.

Another yeast infection treatment, in the form of a home remedy, is garlic, as are tea tree oil, boric acid, potassium sorbate, gentian violet, and cranberries. Remedies vary from using whole garlic cloves inserted into the vagina to making pastes and solutions out of the ingredients. If this type of remedy appeals to you, it is best to research how to use these ingredients. Relief from the itching can be obtained by using a paste made from slippery elm powder and water, or with aloe juice.

As mentioned above, yeast infections are not solely confined to women. Men can also suffer from them, again commonly in the genital area. Treatment in men is pretty much the same as for women although generally oral medication is more effective. Other common types of infection are oral candidiasis (which is one of the most common types found in babies along with diaper rash) and nailbed infections.

A completely different type of yeast infection treatment is that offered by Yeast Infection No More. This program adopts a holistic approach to curing yeast infections that recognizes the fact that these infections are systemic and need to be treated as such. This guarantees a complete cure, which also ensures that there will be no reoccurrence of the infection at a later time.